Ms Chin Soo Fang, SPH's head of corporate communications and CSR division, said: "Singapore, like other countries, is under the threat of climate change. SPH hopes to create further awareness on the importance of sustainability and conservation among corporates, and encourage more community efforts in building a liveable city for our future generations."
The food fair serves planet-friendly food, which has smaller land, water and carbon footprints.
The festival does not allow the use of palm oil unless it is certified sustainable.
It also encourages vendors to prevent and reduce waste in their operations.
In addition, the event incorporates positive psychology to inspire change in the daily habits of visitors. It is run by about 50 volunteers, although many of its stalls are also run by volunteers from other organisations.
EarthFest's organiser and volunteer director is Mr Michael Broadhead, 34, a Canadian who teaches chemistry at an international school here.
He says: "This is a fun, positive and non-profit community festival. We want to inspire and empower people to make a modern and sustainable future possible. The more we work together, the more positive impact we can have."
Collaborating with Marina Barrage has allowed the organisers to make the event as sustainable as possible, he adds.
"For example, no air-conditioning or fans are needed as the design of the building funnels air through, keeping it comfortable. The roof also covers many of the open-air spaces and we have designed the festival's site plan to be under this cover so EarthFest can operate rain or shine without the need for tentage.
"We analysed everything to see how we can design the event to do more with less. This is because each time we reduce what is needed, we reduce the environmental footprint."
More than 10 organisations are partnering the event to set up fun, interactive kiosks where visitors can learn and be empowered to live more sustainably.
Expect carnival games run by non-governmental groups and local and international school groups.
General admission is free but requires a ticket. There are still limited tickets available through its website (earthfestsingapore.com).
Payment is required for the talks and screening and audiences are advised to register in advance for these.
Senior counsellor Harveer Kaur, 35, who went to last year's EarthFest event and will go again this year, says: "It was eye-opening and lots of fun. It allowed me to understand more about carbon footprints and veganism and what I could do to make a difference.
"It is a holistic experience, and there is something for everyone."
Farmers' market and food fair
Discover sustainable versions of common products and foods at this farmers' market and food fair.
Ola, for example, will sell plant-based snacks such as gluten-free almond cranberry energy balls.
LingZhi Vegetarian, a well-known name in Chinese vegetarian gourmet cuisine, will present some of its best-loved selections. They include crispy rice cake with Singapore-style chilli sauce ($6 for six pieces) and vegetarian satay ($8 for six sticks).
Artisan's Garden Singapore will also sell soy candles which do not produce toxic chemicals when burnt, unlike paraffin wax candles, which emit petrol-carbon soot.
Other stalls include Quan Fa Organic Farm, Well Dressed Salad Bar & Cafe, Smoocht, Poppy & Co, Banyan Tamarind Foods, VeganBurg, Popaganda, Quorn, Delcie's Desserts and Cakes, Hic Juice and Fire Flies Health Farm.
Swop stuff
Why buy when you can swop?
Refresh your wardrobe, bookshelf and toy collection with the swops happening at EarthFest.
There will be a clothing swop from 1.30 to 4.30pm, organised by Swapaholic, which is billed as Singapore's first online fashion swopping platform.
Participants should register at Swapaholic's website (www.swapaholicevents.com/registration.php) and drop off items at its office at 22 North Canal Road, 01-00 today, from 11am to 6pm.
SecondsGuru, an information portal that helps people live eco-friendly lifestyles, will host a book swop from 11am to 4.30pm. No registration is required but participants need to bring their books for a one-for-one exchange. Tattered books, or those with silk or leather bindings, are not allowed.
There will also be a toy swop from 1.30 to 4.30pm. To register for it, send an e-mail with your name to info@mastereign.com.
Talks and films