Oct 25

Gardens by the Bay’s Race to Sustainability!

The "Unhappily Ever After" exhibition, featuring iconic animated characters amidst scenes caused by climate change, makes its debut in Asia

Image: Gardens By The Bay

Gardens by the Bay’s flagship post-examination programme, Race to Sustainability!, has reached a new milestone with nearly 5,000 students participating this year, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for environmental stewardship among Singapore's youth.

The event was officially flagged off by Guest of Honour, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations, Ms Grace Fu at Supertree Grove. This year’s Race to Sustainability! is a satellite event as part of the Clean & Green Singapore campaign, and in support of the Year of Public Hygiene.

Image: Gardens By The Bay

This year also marks the first time Race to Sustainability! has been expanded to include tailored programmes for lower primary and tertiary students, such as guided tours and educational talks. In addition, there are free activities to engage the public on the topic of sustainability.

Gardens by the Bay CEO, Mr Felix Loh, said, “At Gardens by the Bay, we are founded on sustainability principles and driven by a commitment to educate and inspire. We are heartened by the increasing participation in our Race to Sustainability! programme, which demonstrates a growing interest in environmental issues among the younger generation. Through this event and the complementary activities open to the public, we hope to foster a shared sense of environmental responsibility and ignite a call to action amongst our community.”

Debut of "Unhappily Ever After” exhibition in Asia among free public activities

Image: Gardens By The Bay

Showcased for the first time in Asia are 15 artworks - including five new pieces created specially for Race to Sustainability! - from the "Unhappily Ever After" series by New York-based animation artist Jeff Hong.

The artworks in this thought-provoking series reinterpret familiar Disney characters in stark, often dystopian settings, to highlight critical issues such as environmental destruction, animal rights and social inequalities, and their devastating impact on humans and wildlife. Displayed on recycled TV screens, the exhibition not only highlights the role of media in consumerism and environmental degradation, but also showcases how it can be repurposed as a powerful tool for environmental advocacy.

Images: Gardens By The Bay

“Unhappily Ever After" is one of three public exhibitions at this year’s Race to Sustainability!. Also on display is a 7m-long installation titled "Sustainable Singapore: Today and Tomorrow", which highlights innovative solutions for sustainable living. The interactive exhibit is jointly presented by eight public agencies — Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Housing & Development Board (HDB), Land Transport Authority (LTA), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), National Environment Agency (NEA), PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, Singapore Food Agency (SFA), and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Images: Gardens By The Bay

Additionally, the "Make a Wish for a Greener Future" display invites members of public to write their wishes on recycled textiles and tie them on metal trellises repurposed from the Gardens’ past floral displays, as a collective commitment to sustainability.

Unveiling of Gardens by the Bay’s new solar-powered electric cruisers

solar powered vehicle at Gardens by the Bay sponsored by OCBC

Images: Gardens By The Bay

Also making its debut today is a new fleet of solar-powered electric cruisers made possible with the sponsorship of S$1 million from OCBC. These eco-friendly vehicles can generate close to 70% of their operational power directly from solar energy.

The use of solar power is expected to significantly reduce reliance on grid electricity, contributing to the goal of lowering overall energy consumption and reinforcing the commitment to sustainable practices throughout Gardens by the Bay.

Ms Helen Wong, Group CEO, OCBC, said, “This initiative is also entirely in line with OCBC’s climate action initiatives, which seek to move us towards a low-carbon world. The 60 solar panels to be installed on the cruisers will generate close to 70% of the power needed to ferry thousands of visitors. An impressive feat. We are happy to be able to contribute to the Gardens’ efforts in reducing carbon emissions.”