The Amazing Spider-Man 2 stars visit school as part of Earth Hour, to encourage local youths to engage in environmental sustainability
Students at Commonwealth Secondary School (CSS) today (March 28) could barely contain their excitement when two of the stars of the upcoming movie, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, made a surprise visit to the school as part of the World Wide Fund For Nature in Singapore’s (WWF-SG) Earth Hour events this year.
Actors Andrew Garfield, who plays Spider-Man in the movie, and Jamie Foxx, who plays Electro, were in the school to encourage local youth to engage in environmental sustainability. Spider-Man is the first ever official superhero ambassador for Earth Hour.
“One of the conversations we need to have as a global community is about protecting our home, which is the Earth,” said Garfield at the press conference after the event. “ We are all sharing this planet. It’s up to us to take care of it. It’s our responsibility.”
“To have this young man who’s playing the character Spider-Man , for him to be able to say about taking care about the planet, it speaks volumes,” added Foxx. “And people look to him, so when they see him speaking about conservation it goes a long way, those kids will grow up and they will do in turn what they were inspired by, and hopefully that will sustain for years after we’re gone.”
During the event, students took out their smartphones to record pictures and video of the event while also trying to get the stars to take selfies with them. Both Garfield and Foxx watched a video prepared by CSS students, which Garfield said was “fantastic”, and the stars also gave out hats and pandas — the World Wildlife Fund’s mascot — to a few fortunate students.
“I think I still need some time to calm down after meeting the cast,” said Darryl Ang, 16, a member of the CSS Green Club and student councillor. “This is the first time I’m meeting movie stars up close, and hearing them advocating about green activities, I also feel like I must be more involved in green activities, and to advocate others to participate in green activities.”
CSS is the “only school in the world” to have Spider-Man visit them as part of Earth Hour, says CEO of WWF-SG, Ms Elaine Tan, and this visit also helps mark the school’s 50th anniversary this year.
“I think (this helps) to make this year very special for the memories of the students here,” says CSS Principal Aaron Loh. “But I think the real thing we want to come through for them is the Earth Hour message. I think that’s the key thing that we want to stay with them after all the stars have all gone back. We want the kids to remember the Earth Hour message that ‘you can do something, even in a small way, you can do something to make a difference’.”
Today’s event is one of a few held to commemorate Earth Hour in Singapore, and with such a huge reception, WWF-SG has a lot to do to top the events this year.
“We don’t know what’s in store for us next year, but with great anticipation we want to be able to engage more Singaporeans,” said Ms Tan. “We want Singaporeans to put WWF out of a job, that’s the aim we all have.”
Garfield and Foxx will be joined by fellow actor Emma Stone and director Mark Webb to lead the “world’s largest Earth Hour celebration” tomorrow at 8.30pm at The Float@Marina Bay. Garfield will lead the Official Lights Out ceremony across Singapore’s signature Marina Bay skyline. Entrance to the event is free.
(Photos: Christopher Polk/ Andrew Goodman/ Getty)
Andrew Garfield and Charmaine Yee
