Ken Hickson has the Last Word:  Buildings, Books, Bananas & the British

Somehow I have found time to do some reading in recent weeks, in between a busy round of visits to 20-plus Singapore properties to promote energy efficiency measures for the i Light Marina Bay festival in Singapore 9 March to 1 April.

One book – “How Bad are Bananas?”  – was remarkably relevant to the job at hand, in spite of its mysterious title.

Singapore is certainly getting the message about making its buildings more sustainable, energy efficient and pleasant to occupy. Research is showing conclusively that green buildings are not just about meeting higher standards, but they are so much better to live in and work in. Wellness comes to buildings as well as people.  If we can retrofit buildings better and faster, we can rid ourselves of the sick building syndrome altogether. Read More

Somehow I have found time to do some reading in recent weeks, in between a busy round of visits to 20-plus Singapore properties to encourage them to take up energy efficiency measures at the time of the i Light Marina Bay festival in Singapore 9 March to 1 April.

One book – “How Bad are Bananas?”  – was remarkably relevant to the job at hand, in spite of its mysterious title. You should know I’m a great fan of bananas and don’t want anyone to malign them!

Two writers I admire had good things to say about it: Bill Bryson said he couldn’t remember “the last time I read a book that was more fascinating and useful and enjoyable all at the same time”.

Chris Goodall, author of “How to Live a Low Carbon Life” described it thus:

“Mike Berners-Lee knows more about carbon footprints than anyone else in the UK.  Enjoyable, fun to read and scientifically robust. A triumph of popular science writing.”

Without wishing to bore you with the details, or spoil your fun reading it yourself, I must say it is an extremely readable and useful book, full of easy to understand messages, as well as tips to apply to home, business, community or country.

You can look out for it at a library or bookshop near you, or go to Amazon, as I know it’s there – in print or digital form.  Interestingly, the author says that unless you read hundreds of e-books, having a digital reading device adds significantly to your carbon footprint. Real books are better for you.

So are bananas!

Which brings me back to what I’ve been doing in addition to reading about bananas.

Energy Efficiency Gets Priority

Singapore is certainly getting the message about making its buildings more sustainable, energy efficient and pleasant to occupy. Research is showing conclusively that green buildings are not just about meeting higher green standards, but they are so much better to live in and work in.

People working in green marked buildings are more productive and less inclined to take sick leave. Wellness comes to buildings as well as people.  If we can retrofit buildings better and faster, we can rid ourselves of the sick building syndrome altogether.

I was impressed not only with the quality of the green buildings visited in Singapore over recent weeks, but also with the desire by building owners and managers to see that they are being operated in the most energy efficient way possible. Going the extra mile – or reducing kilowatt hours of electricity used – is increasingly becoming an objective for office blocks, hotels, convention halls and shopping centres.

For the purpose of the lighting festival, properties are asked to see where they can make some significant reductions in energy over a 24-day period. Many are already doing as much as they can, but they are prepared to do more. Hopefully, many will come up with meaningful measures which they can continue with, saving energy and money at the same time.

Switching off lights selectively and turning up the air conditioning can work wonders!

Leading Lights

CDL properties are already leading with green buildings and sustainable practices in Singapore. One of the best of CDL properties visited was City Square Mall where the visitor or shopper is shown and told in the nicest way possible what’s going on to provide a pleasant experience and energy efficient environment.

Asia Square was an eye-opener. A brand new office tower – with a sister block under construction – boasts a massive open meeting place space at street level , along with a spacious food court, and unique features such as 400 bicycle racks with associated shower rooms and lockers for the active commuter.  There’s also an Alpha Bio Fuels plant on site to put used cooking oil to good use.

Described as “Singapore’s most advanced green commercial building, Asia Square supports a sustainable way or life as well as work”. The building developer and manager MGPA has also produced one of the best Sustainability Guides ever to see the light of day.

In an inspection tour that ranged from tourist attractions like Singapore Flyer to the very functional Marina Barrage (for water storage and treatment), along with the Pit Stop Buildings for Singapore’s Formula One motor race, the intentions were clear. They are already doing a lot, but are prepared to do more to save energy.

Hotels like the Pan Pacific, The Fullerton and the Conrad all have energy saving measures in place, but will consider where they can do more.

A big complex like Suntec City – with a large convention/exhibition centre, five office towers and shopping mall – is taking incremental steps to reduce energy consumption during the lighting festival.

Then there’s the massive commercial properties of One Raffles Quay, the Marina Bay Financial Centre, along with its connecting Link Mall, all ready to add to their energy efficiency and green building credentials in the “Switch Off, Turn Up” campaign.

Marina Bay Sands is a stand out in more ways than one.  The prominent casino, hotel, convention centre, shopping mall  and entertainment complex is committed to support i Light Marina Bay as a major sponsor as well as see how where it can reduce its energy-impact for the duration of the March lighting festival.

There’s more work to do, more buildings to visit and more good intentions to tap, but what an insight into the greening of Singapore buildings and desire of so many to see how they can do more for sustainability and energy efficiency.

Go to www.ilightmarinabay.sg  for more good insight into the event and for an article by Jenny Marusiak, on the lighting festival as well as its connection with Liveable cities, energy efficiency and buildings go to:  http://www.eco-business.com/features/liveable-cities-series-illuminating-the-path-to-sustainable-lighting/

Climate Action & London Olympics

We’ve referred elsewhere to what the London Olympics is doing for sustainability and it was great to catch up with John Pearson at the British High Commission to hear of his work throughout South East Asia promoting climate change awareness and action. Notably, the British appear to be the only official diplomatic agents in Asia for climate change.

The British also marked the 200 days to go until the London Olympics, inviting Singapore Olympic athletes to share in a flag raising ceremony.

In the same week, British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson hosted a “sustainability seminar” at his Eden Hall home, featuring none other than Martin Blake. The genial diplomat even wondered whether he could introduce some meaningful energy efficiency measures at the historic British mansion in Nassim Road.

Expect to hear more about sustainability for events  like the London Olympics and Singapore’s i Light Marina Bay, as well as who’s doing what for energy efficiency at home and abroad.

In coming weeks and months, here are some business names to look out for too: Green Koncepts, Phoenix Solar, Power Seraya, YTL, Power Save, GreenBizCheck, Carbon Soft and Carbon Systems.

Source: www.sustain-ability-showcase.com and www.abccarbon.com