The third edition of Rotary Climate Change Conversations (RC3), hosted by the Rotary Club of Marina City (RCMC), took place on Thursday, 10 April 2025, at 6:30 PM at the Conrad Centennial Hotel in Singapore.
From its inception, the goal of RC3 has been to foster a culture of prioritizing the planet’s well-being by bringing together members of Rotary International and the broader environmental and sustainability community in Asia. By facilitating meaningful conversations on climate change, RC3 aims to empower individuals and communities to take collective action in response to the climate crisis.
Rotary International is a century-old global network of 1.2 million people dedicated to creating positive, lasting change around the world. As people of action, Rotarians volunteer their skills and resources to tackle pressing global issues. Learn more about Rotary’s areas of focus here.
In an era where climate change can feel overwhelming, RC3 provides hope. Many individuals question whether their personal efforts truly matter. RC3 challenges this mindset, demonstrating that individual and community actions—multiplied across neighborhoods, countries, and generations—can spark meaningful and measurable progress.
The five pillars of RC3 are:
- Empowering individuals and communities with responsibility toward climate change
- Collaborating with local and global environmental organizations
- Engaging youth from diverse communities
- Making the event informative, yet interactive
- Serving a fully plant-based menu to align with climate goals
Read about the first and second editions of RC3.
RC3 2025 Highlights
This year’s theme—Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Future—was supported by the Embassy of Ireland in Singapore. Her Excellency Sarah McGrath, Irish Ambassador to Singapore, was the Guest of Honor. In her inspiring and humorous address, she acknowledged the global urgency surrounding climate change and emphasized the power of persistence with a quote: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Program Format and Speakers
This year’s event featured a keynote address and panel discussion, both exploring the promise and pitfalls of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address climate challenges. The evening concluded with an engaging climate and AI-themed quiz.
Keynote Speaker: Lakshmi Kripa Meiyappan
Lakshmi discussed how countries such as Spain, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Lithuania are already using AI to address climate issues. She highlighted how Singapore and India are building AI ecosystems that democratize access to data and promote ethical, socially impactful AI solutions. She shared helpful resources for AI enthusiasts, including:
- IMDA: Green AI in Singapore
- Singapore Green Plan
- EDB Incentives
- RIE2025 Research Plan
- India’s AI Ecosystem
- Energy 2050 Committee Report
Panelists: Alberto Salvo, Tan Kim Leng, and See Yew Lim
The panel explored AI’s potential and limitations in climate work.
Highlights included:
- See Yew Lim addressed fears about AI-related job loss, noting that history shows societies adapt to new technology. He encouraged viewing AI as a catalyst for social transformation.
- Alberto Salvo emphasized using AI to reduce individual carbon footprints, advocating for gamification and incentives to shift behavior. He personally offsets air travel by biking and using public transit.
- Tan Kim Leng explained the synergy between Human Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence. He outlined how AI can enhance climate mitigation through:
- Optimized renewable energy management
- Improved waste sorting and management
- Advanced climate modeling and prediction
- Better disaster warning systems
Interactive Climate & AI Quiz
Attendees enjoyed testing their knowledge with fun, thought-provoking questions, such as:
- How much water is used to generate a 100-word email with ChatGPT?
- How much energy does a single AI-generated email consume?
- Which major tech company has pledged net-zero carbon by 2040?
Plant-Based Menu
True to its climate-forward mission, RC3 featured a five-course 100% plant-based meal curated by the Conrad Centennial culinary team in collaboration with the RC3 committee. Highlights included:
- Crushed Avocado, Pomegranate & Corn on Crisp Nori
- Curried Carrot & Coconut Soup
- Salt-Baked Celeriac with Lentil-Pumpkin Bolognese
- Turmeric Ravioli with Miso Caramelized Cauliflower
- Dark Soy Milk Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry Sorbet
The Outcome
With 101 attendees—including Rotarians, sustainability advocates, and members from organizations such as ACRES, Zero Waste Singapore, LeapFrog Investments, Corridor Farmers, and Kampung Senang—the event was a resounding success.
