Carbon literacy is understanding carbon costs and the impacts of everyday activities. It is a foundational element of sustainability considering the massive emissions from industries such as food, fashion, transport, energy, and waste.
Without carbon literacy, we are at risk of fragmented habits, says Kelvin Wong, the co-founder of Terra SG. The environmental social enterprise conducts a series of sustainability initiatives, upcycling projects, eco-education programmes, and experiences along with galleries.
Last year, Terra SG collaborated with FairPrice Foundation, the philanthropic arm of FairPrice Group, to launch the first carbon-focused experiential hub in Asia. Located in Vidacity in Pasir Ris, The Carbon Gallery (TCG) showcases the interconnection between carbon and climate change with the aim of transforming sustainability from a trend into a long-term mindset. It does not charge for admission.
Wong co-founded Terra SG in 2016 after observing that sustainability conversations tend to be too technical and leave people disengaged. He wanted to make them more accessible. “Not preachy, not polarising, but participatory,” he avers. “Sustainability education is about agency. It helps people understand that they are stakeholders, not spectators, in the climate story.”
Terra SG designs and delivers sustainability education for corporations, schools, and communities, aiming not just to inform but also to convene, Wong says. In addition to TCG, it runs a slew of experiential programmes and initiatives including the interactive climate stewardship gallery Green Futures Hub.
Wong’s biggest challenge in running an environmental social enterprise lies in the significant upfront investment required. As experiential education is resourceintensive, balancing mission and financial viability demands constant innovation and management, he explains.
Another issue lies in cognitive inertia: many people care about climate issues, but feel their actions matter little. To address this, Terra SG shines a spotlight on collective impact. “We focus on solutions and practical pathways rather than fear. Hope, when grounded in knowledge, is a powerful driver.”
As participation numbers only tell a part of the story when assessing the success of programmes, Terra SG also quantifies impact through changes in knowledge and systems thinking, increased intention to act, evidence of follow-up initiatives in schools or organisations, and repeat longterm partnerships and engagements. These indicators signal internalisation rather than compliance, Wong explains.
Even though Singapore has made commendable strides in policy and infrastructure for sustainability, consumption patterns remain strong and reflect convenience-driven lifestyles, he continues. Also, awareness still lags behind action.
“The question is not whether Singapore cares, but whether we are ready to recalibrate habits at scale. Policy often outpaces behavioural changes. “
Kelvin Wong on the reality of change
Progress is real, but climate science suggests that incremental change may not suffice in the long run. The next frontier lies in accelerating behavioural and cultural shifts alongside structural change.”
Terra SG focuses on empowerment because green fatigue occurs when climate messaging emphasises urgency without agency, Wong says. Besides, Singapore’s pragmatic culture means people respond to structured frameworks and tangible action steps. “When they see that action is possible within their existing lives, fatigue gives way to participation.”
If Wong had it his way, sustainability education would be mandatory in schools and embedded throughout the curriculum rather than confined to a single subject. Subtopics would include foundational climate science, carbon literacy, systems thinking, trade-off analysis, and circular economy principles.
“We don’t just want to inform; our goal is to cultivate discernment and courage. We need young people who can navigate complexities, challenge assumptions, and lead responsibly in a carbon constrained world.”
Photography Mun Kong
Art direction Ed Harland
Hair @Hanarabyhana using @got2b
Makeup & grooming Keith Bryant Lee using Laura Mercier
Photography assistant Melvin Leong
