by Michael Broadhead, Organiser of EarthFest and Secondary School Science MYP Teacher -

Amid the haze, thousands came out to support Singapore’s largest comprehensive sustainability festival at Marina Barrage on Saturday September 26, 2015. EarthFest’s aim was to inspire people to live a modern and fun lifestyle in a sustainable way. Visitors of all ages and backgrounds explored the Farmer’s Market that comprised more than 50 local businesses who are leading the way in sustainable business practices and corporate responsibility. Visitors were able to discover sustainable sources of the common products they consume, while engaging directly with the business owners and supporting the local economy.

Entertainment was a major component of EarthFest, featuring a performing area made of recycled shipping pallets. Performances included dance and live music of various genres. CIS students were involved in the event in a number of ways. CIS Secondary students, Noa and Kyarah along with their teacher Egmond Boon put on a wonderful performance on EarthStage. Other CIS students volunteered and did some great face painting for children, others acted as environmental ambassadors informing visitors about virtual water footprints and sustainable habit changing behaviours, and some supported an animal adoption drive conducted by Causes for Animals. Three special filming events included an overfishing documentary, urban gardening, and the impacts of dietary choices on the environment.

An Eco­Carnival was integrated into EarthFest and featured more than 10 organisations including WWF and Nature Society. These groups ran fun, interactive experiences with an aim of inspiring visitors to take the necessary steps for a sustainable tomorrow. One visitor noted, “I had a very good time, talking to like­-minded people and being exposed to new ideas. The climate change booth made me rethink my consumption patterns, namely my meat intake.”

EarthFest also hosted Singapore’s 38th Really Really Free Market, and the Sharing Economy Association featured businesses that help Singaporeans access services and materials in new ways. The environmentally friendly CIS student club, Green Machine helped with waste segregation into trash, recyclables, and compostables.

A highlight for many visitors was the Maker Faire, where people could upcycle materials into something creative and useful.

EarthFest was as energetic, positive and fun as any other festival in Singapore, while keeping its environmental footprint low. To do so, we arranged to offset the event’s carbon footprint with Atmosfair, which funds projects that improve lives while preventing or removing carbon from the air.

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The festival was intentionally minimalist in terms of signage and structures to reduce the need for raw materials. Waste prevention initiatives were instituted e.g. preventing vendors from distributing pamphlets or fossil fuel­-based bags. EarthFest visitors were told in advance to bring their own bags and water bottles. All the food at the event was “planet ­friendlier” by only allowing plant­-based foods with lower carbon and water footprints. For drinks, straws were not given and the utensils and plates were all composted after the event at Quan Fa Organic Farm. Any required printing was done on reused paper, water refill points were available and all waste was segregated.

In a post event survey, 98% of visitors said they will come back to future EarthFest events, showing that it’s possible to make large­ scale, successful events that are more genuinely sustainable in Singapore.