29th February 2008


Singaporeans are you up to it!

Can Singapore rise to the challenge asks British Social Entrepreneur?

British social entrepreneur, Robert Lee, has set a challenge to the Singaporean people in an attempt to seriously tackle climate change through ordinary people.

Supported by the international pop superstar Madonna as Patron, two remarkable global humanitarian schemes to beat climate change and fuel poverty have been set up. UK 8020, a not for profit organisation is funding the Climate Change Challenge™ (www.ClimateChangeChallenge.org).

There were no second thoughts for a decisive Madonna when it came to supporting Robert Lee the founder of UK 8020 and putting her name to these life-changing events - and with good reason. When it comes to fuel poverty millions of people especially senior citizens around the world cannot afford the ever increasing fuel prices.

Now, at last, it seems that someone is prepared to 'throw down the gauntlet' and challenge the population-at-large to help. A £100,000 prize (US $200,000) and a place in the history books, up there with the likes of Edison, are up for grabs for the first person to invent a renewable energy generator (REG) that will provide 90% of domestic electricity needs for free. (Britain uses fuel on heating homes whereas as the opposite applies in Singapore, fuel is used for cooling). As part of the rules, the target retail price for the unit with installation has been set at £500 - currently the average cost of 4 months energy. It is hoped that such an invention will retail for S$ 500 or US $500 in USA.

As well as being patron to the Climate Change Challenge, Madonna also supports UK 8020’s other humanitarian initiative, Pledge4REG (TM). Linking directly to the Climate Change Challenge, Pledge4REG addresses the millions of people in the fuel poverty bracket around the world.

Pledge4REG will make a significant contribution to eradicating the problem of fuel affordability that exists in supposedly civilised countries. Pledge4REG works simply by inviting people to pledge their support through the website at www.Pledge4REG.org for the invention and gauges whether they would be interested in such an invention. UK 8020 is also encouraging people to pledge support to buy one when it retails either for their parents, an elderly relative, a social acquaintance, or anyone who may benefit from a helping.

Robert Lee, founder of UK 8020, says: "Most of us know someone who hasn't been able to afford their fuel. Our scheme is all about empowering people through incentives, not taxes. It gives the ordinary person the chance to make a difference by being responsible for their own energy needs and, simultaneously, helps rebuild caring communities. The challenge is open to everyone regardless of race, creed and political or financial standing, so it's a classic case of 'Power to the People' in every sense."

Another avid supporter is Trevor Baylis, OBE, the world famous inventor of the wind-up radio. He says: "This is a call for all inventors to start applying their minds to the challenge of developing a renewable energy generator. If you can solve a problem, you are on your way to becoming an inventor.”

"For example, the simple addition of a wind-up mechanism to a radio allowed vital information to be broadcast to areas affected by natural disasters, epidemics and war. Who would have thought that wind-up technology, which has been with us for hundreds of years, would prove to be such an effective tool for the improvement of peoples' lives?"

He adds: "My invention saved lives - but it took years to convince others of
its capabilities. Now the Climate Change Challenge has challenged everyone to find a similar idea - one which provides a basic need but will profoundly affect the lives of ordinary people, as mine did. An inexpensive way of generating energy could improve the lives of millions in developed and under developed countries across the globe”

But the real humanitarian focus is clearly described by Robert Lee, founder of UK 8020. He says: "Most of us know someone who hasn't been able to afford their fuel. Our scheme is all about empowering people through incentives, not taxes. It gives the ordinary person the chance to make a difference by being responsible for their own energy needs and, simultaneously, helps rebuild caring communities. The challenge is open to everyone regardless of race, creed and political or financial standing, so it's a classic case of 'Power to the People' in every sense."

- Ends -
For a media toolkit, go to:
www.UK8020.org
Click on Media on the footer of the page

Also see:
www.ClimateChangeChallenge.org
www.Pledge4REG.org