campaign, a global initiative to raise awareness
of the environmental vulnerabilities that the
earth faces today and support explorers and
scientists to fi nd solutions for the issues.
“We have embraced plastics so passionately
that we have overdone it,” Earle lamented
onstage, to much laughter. Doubilet
pragmatically added that he believes that
plastic is “a very useful material” and will
continue to be part of our lives. The 72-year-old
American recalled that he used to fall sick
regularly when he drank from styrofoam
bottles while on his photography assignments
in the 1970s, until the use of plastic water
bottles became popular. “The problem is that
the plastic bottle we buy doesn’t always come
back as a plastic bottle. It will probably end
up as microplastics in the sea and we know it’s
causing harm to marine life. We need the plastic
industry to produce bottles that will come back
and be used as plastic bottles.”
Earle noted that it all boils down to personal
choice. “The power is with every individual,
and it is up to you to fi gure out what you can
do. Everyone can make a difference, either
through what you want or do not want to do,”
she said, adding that the decisions we make
daily can truly count. “What can you do every
day to make the planet perpetual?”
SPREAD THE WORD
In order to get people to make the right
decisions, education is paramount. Both Earle
and Doubilet emphasised the need to inculcate
the right mindset towards climate change and
environmental conservation, especially in the
next generation. This is why they travel around
the world, sharing their perspectives with as
many people as possible.
“On our travels, we talk to a lot of people
around the world, and most of them agree with
us. But they make up maybe 10 per cent [of the
global population]. What about the remaining
90 per cent? We have to reach these people,”
said Doubilet, who is one of the world’s most
published photographers whose works are
frequently seen in National Geographic.
This particular point was reiterated at an
exclusive brunch organised by Singapore Tatler
and Rolex where both environmental activists
were joined by fi ve Generation T honourees
from around the region who are championing
environmental sustainability. The luminaries
shared stories about their experiences and
exchanged opinions with the honourees, namely
Singaporean primatologist Andie Ang and
marine biologistNeoMeiLin,Malaysiansocial
entrepreneur RashvinPalSingh,Indonesian
environmental activistFarwizaFarhanand
Thai social entrepreneurPeetachaiDejkraisak.
“I feel compelledtosharemyviewswith
as many people asI can.Weallhavethe
‘superpowers’ thatallowustoknowwhatis
happening [on theplanet],especiallygiven
today’s technology,”Earlesaid,addingthat
there is a need toconvince“peopletoseethe
ocean with new eyes”.
“Often, we takeforgrantedwhatwedoin
the sea. We thinkwecanputeverythinginthe
ocean and it willgoaway.It doesn’tgoaway;
things like microplasticsgointoourlifesupport
system. Even if youdon’tcareaboutthefish,
you have to careaboutyourself.”
As brunch cametoa close,bothEarleand
Doubilet cheeredontheyoungGen.Tleaders
in keeping up withthegoodworkthatthey
are doing in theirfields,andtospreadthe
word to others tobemoreinquisitiveabout
what they are consumingandwhereit comes
from. In her partingshot,Earlemused:“Just
be thoughtful andmindful.Alwaysaskif it is
possible for you togivebacktothesystemthat
keeps you alive.”At an exclusive
brunch organised by
Singapore Tatler and
Rolex, select Generation T
honourees exchanged
pointers on climate change
with Earle and Doubilet.
From left: Rashvin Pal Singh,
Farwiza Farhan, Singapore
Tatler editor Terence Lim,
David Doubilet,
Sylvia Earle, Neo Mei Lin,
Andie Ang and
Peetachai Dejkraisak“JUST BE THOUGHTFUL
AND MINDFUL. ALWAYS ASK
IF IT IS POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO
GIVE BACK TO THE SYSTEM
THAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE”
singapore tatler. october 2019 117