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Run 350 is organized by the 350 Singapore movement, a group started and supported by Young NTUC. Targeted at raising awareness of the 350 movement, 350 Singapore is our local chapter. 350 refers to the recommended parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere that scientists believe is de rigueur for the Earth's sustainability as we know it. Today, this number is around 390ppm. So we have a long way to go. |
The run is named “Run 350” to remind people the critical amount of carbon emission in the atmosphere we should strive for to ensure our survivability as humankind.
Combining with the fun and joy of running, we want to create awareness among the public through our message that even with a simple change of our lifestyle, we can collectively contribute into achieving this target. And for the same reason, we want this run, compared to any others done here in Singapore to have low environmental footprints.
There are a couple of measures currently in place and we are still in the process of confirming some others. We are doing the best we can while in consultation with our green partners, to balance between ensuring the participants to have a good time and minimizing our environmental impact at the same time.
- Awareness creation and registration for Run 350 are primarily done through the internet to reduce the amount of paper to be used.
- The banners can be churned into other useful products such as bags or reusable carriers which would be opened for bidding or sales as collector’s item, of which funds raised (after covering the manufacturing cost) will be donated to a good cause.
- Items in the race entry packs are selected based on their usefulness, so that they will be utilized and we hope that this will minimize the potential wastage.
- Littering Index will be implemented on the event to measure how clean the event area and route was kept. This will be reported after the event (which we will have to measure to ensure that we reduced the opportunity of littering to occur).
- Instead of having individual 300ml to 500ml bottles, water will be poured from 1.5l bottles into cups at the water stations to minimize the use of bottled water. We are also exploring the feasibility (in terms of drinking water safety standards due to the handling involved as well as operational considerations) of having tap or filtered water for participants at the various water points.
- Isotonic drinks will come in the form of cordials instead of in cans or bottles.
- Paper cups will be provided instead of plastic cups.
- Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles with them to Run 350.
- Efforts are put into planning of routes for logistical transportation in advance in order to reduce the amount of unnecessary trips as much as possible to save fuel.
- Biodiesel is insisted (instead of regular diesel) to be used to fuel the power generator powering Run 350.
- Last year, Run 350 was held at Pulau Ubin for participants to appreciate the nature. The only thing is that more efforts are needed to get there. This year, Run 350 will be held in town for the participants to experience the hybrid of our prized Singapore Skyline and natural scenery along the coastal areas via the park connectors they’ll be running by.
- Participants of Run 350 are strongly encouraged to travel via public transportation instead of driving to the event.
- The Plant-A-Tree Programme by Garden City Fund (under NParks) is S$200 per tree. We will release the number of trees that will be planted through Run 350.
- Pre-event coastal clean-ups (26th Feb and 20th Mar) are done as well to get Run 350’s participants to join in and help get more green acts going. The sessions also serve to create awareness about the small yet sustainable actions we can take to reduce our impact on the environment we all live in.
- The green acts done, such as participating in the coastal clean-up can be logged into www.MillionActsofGreen.sg. The site collects all the actions taken by people to create awareness of what other green acts can be done to get the movement going. It aims to collect a million acts of green for Singapore.
- Runners would have access to green related information via ECO Singapore’s newsletter, “ECO Blips”, to get them to learn more about environmental issues and opportunities to volunteer with the local environment scene.
- Collaterals of Run 350, like posters and flyers, are printed on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper made from sustainable and recycled sources. *Click HERE to know more about FSC
We would also like to take the opportunity to encourage people who are taking part in the run to take one step further and do bare foot running! It is probably the most natural way to run but it requires TRAINING!
For more information on how to build up your barefoot running skills, visit this site: http://therunningbarefoot.com/
Maybe our supporting green partner can help. Email your query to with the heading “Greening Run 350”.
1. Start to walk the talk on leading the life of being greener and influence your peers along the way.
2. Create a discussion group or community to share ideas on building a local campaign to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle. A good starting point can be through 350 Singapore.
3. Eating healthy can help the environment too. Go for 2 portion of vegetable for every 1 portion of meat.
4. Start taking public transport. Or if you must drive, try to make arrangements and carpool!
5. Do your own energy audits at home to check for possible energy wastage e.g. through faulty appliances.
6. Check for water leaks at home by reading the water meter after turning off all the water usage appliances at home.
7. Volunteer for an environmental group or organisation!
8. Check the short film “The Story of Stuff” out on YouTube to appreciate how our actions can create a huge impact on the environment. Watch it with your family, friends and share it with your colleagues!
9. Monitor your utility bills at home and work with the family to improve on it.
10. Read up more on what you can do online and be kept posted on the updates happening all around the world to get inspired!
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