Singapore, 21 July 2019 – Hundreds of youths, their families and friends visited the two-day Youth4Climate Fest 2019 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens over the 20 and 21 July 2019 weekend.

The festival, which is in its second year, is one of City Developments Limited’s (CDL) flagship environmental outreach programmes. Organised in partnership with MEWR, NEA, NParks, ActiveSG and other partners, Youth4Climate Fest provides a platform for youths to creatively express their passion for the environment through the performing arts, driving awareness of and accelerating climate action amongst the community at large.

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources, was the Guest-of-Honour at the Youth4Climate concert held on 20 July 2019 at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage. Speaking on the need for everyone to fight climate change together, Dr Khor said: “I am heartened that CDL has supported our Climate Action Week. While the government has a holistic climate action plan, we need all hands on deck to effect changes. I hope this event will encourage our youths and everyone present to care for and protect our environment, and formulate solutions for Singapore to address climate change."

“The world is facing grave climate emergency,” said Ms Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer of CDL. “Immediate action is needed, especially by our youths who will be the next generation of leaders to drive change. For many years now, we have been engaging youths to raise their interest in environmental issues. Ultimately, we want to nurture future green champions.”

Held in conjunction with MEWR’s Climate Action Week and in support of Singapore’s Year Towards Zero Waste, CDL’s Youth4Climate Fest 2019 also celebrated the 160th anniversary of Singapore’s only UNESCO Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

20 July 2019, Saturday: Treasure Hunt and Concert

In the Youth4Climate Treasure Hunt, individuals and teams shuttled between historic locations in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. They learned about the park’s rich and natural history, played games from yesteryear such as five stones and congkak, and picked up simple ways to reduce waste and be environmentally friendly.

After Dr Khor presented prizes to the winners of the treasure hunt, guests were treated to a series of climate-themed performances at the Youth4Climate Concert. The diverse line-up included a 150-strong combined school choir and drama skit by Kuo Chuan Primary School. It also featured youth musician Uber Duber as well as artiste and singer Jo Tan (see Annex A for the full concert line-up).

21 July 2019, Sunday: Workshop and Movie Screening

Passionate youths gathered at the Botany Hall to attend a marine conservation workshop led by Ms Anna Oposa, NGO Save Philippine Seas’ Chief Mermaid and CDL E-Generation Challenge 2018 winner; and Ms Samantha Thian, founder of Seastainable.

The two youth conservationists shared their love for the oceans and about climate action. They highlighted how irresponsible consumer behaviour endangers life below water, and how they had found evidence of micro-plastics in the Coral Triangle at Raja Ampat Archipelago last year. Ms Oposa and Ms Thian also gave tips on how to conduct a successful climate action campaign.

The evening concluded with a screening of Moana, Disney’s climate-themed movie.