SINGAPORE: Residents in Singapore are hopeful that their continued push for better green practices in the city will be heard by the government. On Sunday, some 20,000 people took part in the city's largest environmentally-sustainable lifestyle event aimed at showing the city that green is better. “I am here because it is important for Singapore to be a better environmentally sound country, especially considering the global climate issues that are really becoming important to deal with,” one participant at the walkathon told Bikyamasr.com. The event was organized by the Singapore Environmental Council (SEC). The walkathon featured two five-kilometer routes through the city: The North and East Walkathon which started at Lavender and Stadium MRT Stations. The New Paper Big Walk was also held in conjunction with the Singapore G1 2012 walkathon and started at The Central above Clarke Quay MRT Station and ended at the Marina Barrage. The event's theme, “Live Green,” highlighted the link between the protection of the environment with healthy living and the reduction of carbon footprint. “The key for event organizers, and we have proven it through the Singapore G1 2012, is to organize their events as carbon neutral as possible and to ensure that as little waste as possible is generated,” explained Jose Raymond, Executive Director of the SEC, in comments published by local media. He added that this event is proof that “going green need not involve a compromise in creativity.” Singapore's government said it is doing their part and looking at new solutions to climate change and renewable energy sources across the city. They have repeatedly said they are pushing for alternative sources of energy to be self-sustainable by mid-century.
