Map of Ubin, the model green island in Singapore

Hi,

More on the tiny island north of Singapore which is to become a model 'green island' powered by clean and renewable energy

Please see the map of Ubin Island showing how it is to be transformed into a test site for renewable energy technologies by clicking on this link to a map of Pulau Ubin.

Cheers and have a nice day.

Rooftop sweet potatoes for food

I read a very cool article on Nov 8, Straits Times.


In Japan a number of people are becoming city farmers. They plant crops atop tall buildings or deep underground in basements.

These farms have carefully controlled and adjusted the temperatures, humidity and lighting so that vegetables can be grown in optimum conditions for human consumption. Remember the concepts like limiting factors for photosynthesis and denaturing of enzymes that control the steps involved in the process???

The Japanese are very particular about food safety. They are willing to pay a premium for pesticide-free and pathogen-free vegetables.

The advantages of rooftop and basement gardening are as follows:

1-It also provides gainful employment for the unemployed, fun and stress relief for the tired office workers.
2-The roof top areas provide space for growing crops in land-scarce Japan. Japan imports 60% of its food from other countries.
3-City farming also provides a solution for a big problem called 'urban heat-island effect'. Concrete buildings and pavement heat up quickly. People will use more air-conditioning, esp in summer, raising CO2 emissions further. Plants absorb CO2, a greenhouse gas. The leaves are broad, covering the building's surface absorbing the sun's rays. They also transpire ie they absorb water with their roots and transport it upwards in their xylem vessels and release it in the form of water vapour. When water evaporates off the leaf it causes cooling effect. (Remember latent heat of vaporization?)
4-Lettuce, roses, rice, tomatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, brinjals, cucumbers, pumpkins, watermelons and more to feast on...

Singapore is warm and sunny throughout the year. We are also an urbanised country with very little arable land. We also buy most of our vegetables from other countries. We have tall buildings and do depend a lot on air-conditioning to bear with the sweltering heat.

When I was little, I used to grow all kinds of plants from my mother's kitchen. I just wanted to see how the plants' leaves and flowers will look like. Cumin, mustard, pepper, kidney bean, ginger, tumeric, garlic, bittergourd, etc are some that I grew and had hours of fun. I would like to grow plants on rooftops if I am invited to do so.

Cheers,
Have a good day.

More on exciting new clean energy in our own backyards

Hi,

I have not gotten over the Ubin Island yet. It is like NeWater technology all over again

Please see the following links:

Map of Ubin Island showing how it is to be transformed into a test site for renewable energy technologies: http://www.asiaone.com/static/news/gallery/infographics_energy.pdf

The main article is on: http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2008/11/ubin-clean-energy-island.html

The different technologies explored include:

1. small wind turbines and solar panels to provide electricity


2. concentrated solar power to produce hydrogen from water


3. hydrogen fuel cell plant with facilities for hydrogen storage(the biggest impediment in this form of energy)


4. recycling of biomass waste to produce energy—plant and animal wastes from agriculture, farm, food and crop processing industries.


5. turbines which harvest energy from sea currents—wind, waves and tides


6. roof top solar systems

These need the support services of :

1. integrating energy storage for (backup)


2. power grid to integrate the different energy sources (solar energy will only be produced during the daylight hours and wind power only when the wind is blowing etc.)

Can you imagine the islanders will live in Utopia where they would have non-polluting power. At the moment they depend on generators, noisy, prone to breakdowns and polluting. Ubin project is one of Singapore's many programmes to transform Singapore into a global centre for clean energy.

1. In September 2008, there was an announcement that Semakau, another island to the south of main island which has been used as landfill for the past few years being converted into a test site cum eco-park. We can keep this place in mind when we are looking for a special nature walk. The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research of NUS and The Nature Society of Singapore have written a wonderful article which you can read: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/workshop/semakau_workshop.php


2. Look out for the business park in Jalan Bahar where a business park will house companies that specialize in clean technologies and products. To be ready by 2010.

Cheers,
Have a nice day.

Some new exciting interactive Bio resources

Hi students,

Here are a number of sites to check out for really exciting ways to learn biology. Visit them and enjoy......

#Dr Saul's Biology in Motion, it brings biology to life.
There are a number of act ivies such as
1. one page cartoon on cells
2. animals on fat digestion and bile
3. Negative feedback
4. 3D animation to explain circulatory system
5. questions and answers exercise on mitosis and meiosis.

Go to:
http://www.biologyinmotion.com/index.html


#Cells alive, it brings quizzes, puzzles and interactive activities
1. cells models of plant and animal cells
2. mitosis
3. cell cycles
4. immunology


Go to:
http://www.cellsalive.com/howbig.htm


#BBC GCSE bitesize
It brings you a whole lot of revision, activities, tests on all biology topics
some examples are:
1. hormones
2. defending against infections
3.diet and exercise
4. nervous system
5. organisms and the environment
6. evolution
7. drugs and health

Go to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/

Regards
Mrs Graetz

Learning Journey to Pulau Ubin

Please see article in Sunday Times on 9 Nov 2008.

The whole island will be developed into a test/ display of different forms of alternative energy sources which are environmentally friendly.

Click here.

Pulau Ubin is THE place to go for learning journey

Please see the wonderful article in Sunday Times 9/11/08. Pulau Ubin is going to be a test/showcase of different types of energy sources of the future.

click on link here