Impact Week 2025
- Howie Chia
- Sep 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 30
In the 21st century, there has been unprecedented economic growth, innovation and prosperity. However, we are using nature’s resources 1.7 times faster than the planet can regenerate and sustain. Since Greta Thunberg’s first major appearance at the UN Climate Change Summit 2019, sustainability has become a buzzword. Many people and companies have become aware of how important it is for individuals and companies to take action for a healthy environment. But despite this increased awareness, sustainability market was only around $20 billion which pales in comparison to the global AI market of around $200 billion (in 2024).
If you are a sustainability advocate and ever wondered about this, then Impact Week is for you. I was looking forward to Impact Week 2025, a 5-day event that brings businesses and communities together to turn ideas into shared action. Its concept of being "AT ONE" - with ourselves, each other, and the world, revolves around 6 Pillars of the Well-being Economy: Sustainable Finance, Corporate Philanthropy, Nature Restoration, Technology & AI, Future of Education, and Partnerships. All 6 of which are directly aligned to the United Nations SDGs. I was excited to be there for the first time and see many equally enthusiastic students from other polytechnics and ITE.
The event kicked off with an urgent message from Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee. He spoke about how government leaders, business executives, and international statesmen need to collaborate and drive meaningful social impact, emphasising that we can't solve these global problems if we continue to work in silos.
The main hall was a hub of activity, with four "igloos" hosting engaging panel discussions on the Six Domains of Impact, which include things like partnerships, sustainable finance, and nature restoration. There were also pop-up booths, showcasing different projects carried out by small and large enterprises.
But the real highlight for me was the panel discussion, "Redesigning the Climate Innovation Landscape." where seven thought leaders weighed in. One of them, Ms Nicole Rycroft, heads Canopy Planet, a company transforming some of the materials produced from the world’s biggest supply chains to low-carbon solutions to market at scale. She shared that despite solutions for sustainable materials holding the potential for 30% of all necessary climate solutions, the development and deployment of sustainable materials are severely underfunded, capturing a mere 3% of climate investment. However, that did not stop her from persevering and convincing more than 900 brands to adopt their solutions. It was inspiring to hear how these individuals, despite not having huge starting capital, were able to come up with creative solutions and succeed.
The panel all agreed that sustainability is being overlooked. In 2024, the global AI market surged to $200 billion, while the sustainability market was only around $20 billion. Indeed, while the world is so focused on advancing technology and infrastructure, what's the point of all that innovation if we have no resources left? The moderator, Dr Kirsten Dunlop, put it gravely, “There will be a "0% return on investment when there are no resources left."
She advised the audience to look beyond immediate gains, and to think further of the world and future they wish to create for themselves and future generations.
The day’s event concluded with a reflection session led by former Senior Minister of State, Dr Maliki Osman. He addressed the trend of young couples deciding to have less children or choosing to remain childless due to the uncertain future. Instead, he encouraged young people to take the initiative to create more social good, and work collectively to create a better world for everyone. Dr Osman reminded us that now is the time to create change. Don’t wait, the world’s climate will not solve itself, get started immediately.
Group Photo with Dr Maliki and SP representatives
Fast forward 2 weeks and I am standing in front of the magnificent OceanXplorer ship, a cutting-edge research vessel dedicated to exploring, charting, and conserving the world’s oceans. This vessel has travelled across the globe, from the Red Sea to Madagascar. This year marks its third trip back to Singapore. As part of Singapore Poly’s contingent, I had the opportunity to set foot on this ship!
I first learnt about OceanX via this National Geographic article and watched it on Disney+ “Ocean Xploers” with my dad. During which he excitedly told me about Jacques-Yves Cousteau. I was surprised by how fascinated he was about the underwater documentaries made by this late-film maker. I could sense the envy seeping out from him as he went on and on about it. Now that I get to actually step on such a ship… I had to rub it in…
When onboard the vessel, visitors are given a tour of “a day in life” of an OceanX crew member. One staff member, Ms Frances (a Singaporean!) holds a degree in “English and Linguistics” but her love of sharing environmental education led her to become an education programme manager on the vessel. In fact, there are many other crew members from different disciplines onboard OceanX, from marine biologist, engineers, ecologist, submarine pilots, etc. Its a fitting description of a transdisciplinary team.
The guided tour on OceanX started at their Mission Control room. It was filled with multiple monitors that keep tracks of everything from weather conditions to the status of their deep-diving submersibles. Next was up close and personal to these subs, a.k.a. Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) which can take researchers up to 1,000 meters deep and film the marine creatures up close.
Onboard the OceanXplorer and viewing the ROV up close!
My lego mini submersible is uncannily similar to the one in the OceanXplorer!
We then got to see their wet labs and dry labs where I found it fascinating that the crew used eDNA metabarcoding to determine exactly what species were recently in an area by analysing the trace amounts of genomes (genetic material) shed by those animals in the seawater. CSI - Underwater edition? :)
Aside from the nifty technology, I was also impressed by the other crew members. From scuba divers, to the operators of the ROVs, every OceanX personnel I spoke to was intensely passionate with their job. It was inspiring just reading about Melissa Marquez and Zoleka Filander’s stories in National Geographic. But to hear it in-person from OceanX crew members… how cool is that?
Just as “It takes a village to raise a child”, I see OceanX mission in a similar situation, where they bring together the best minds in science, education, technology, policy, and community engagement to combat climate change. I liken it to, “It takes a transdisciplinary world to protect the ocean and heal the climate.”
As I look around me, I am heartened to see many students from Polytechnic and ITE at Impact Week. Hopefully, some among them will be equally passionate about sustainability and a potential collaborator in future. Looking forward to more sustainability learnings soon!
If you read this far, why not follow OceanX on Linkedin, Instagram and Tiktok to view their amazing adventures!
Chia Howie
28 September 2025
TLDR
Attended Impact Week, listened to panel discussions, saw interesting exhibits, boarded OceanX, rubbed it in on Dad. Continue to find sustainability movement meaningful.
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