Participating youths in front of the environmetal education tour truck. © WWF-Thailand
Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production have contributed to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. To address these issues and promote environmental conservation, Future Food Together Thailand, in partnership with the Environmental and Social Foundation (ESF), has developed an innovative environmental education programme for Thai youths.
The Environmental Education Tour
WWF Thailand and the Environmental and Social Foundation (ESF) jointly announced the Environmental Education Tour, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at educating and inspiring Thai youths on critical environmental topics. The tour will visit nine provinces across Thailand, spreading the message of environmental conservation. The tour focuses on four key topics: endangered species and their ecological systems; climate change; responsible consumption and production; and keeping the oceans clean.
The programme is championed by the Youth Wildlife Guardians (YWG), a group of passionate students aged 8-17 who are dedicated to preserving nature and protecting endangered species. These young ambassadors will be present at each location during the tour, engaging with local communities and leading educational activities.
By empowering the next generation, the ripple effect of their actions has the potential to positively impact communities, influence policy, and shape the future of sustainability in Thailand.
The Environmental Education Tour goes beyond just educating the youth. It aims to inspire and equip young individuals to become advocates for sustainable lifestyles.
Conservation Activities and Documentary Series
In addition to educational campaigns, the Environmental Education Tour will collaborate with locals to conduct environmental conservation activities. Examples of these initiatives include coral replanting in Phuket and micro-plastic management in Chonburi. Recognizing the importance of local involvement, the ESF and YWG believe that community participation is essential in protecting the environment.
To further amplify their message, the YWG will launch a documentary series developed by all 20 students, with each episode focusing on an environmental topic of their choice. The documentaries, which took nearly two years to create under the guidance of Dr. Alongkot Chukaew, Director of ESF, will be accessible through VR headsets on the environmental education unit during the tour.
Group learning on marine conservation. © WWF-Thailand
Video produced on marine conservation activites at the beach. © WWF-Thailand
On-site learning on plastic pollution in the ocean. © WWF-Thailand
The Youth Leadership Project
To complement the Environmental Education Tour and cultivate a deeper understanding of sustainable food systems, WWF Thailand organized the Youth Leadership Project to Drive the Sustainable Development Goals. Collaborating with the Youth Association for Sustainable Development for Thailand (YSDA), Thammasat University, as well as Thammasat University’s SDGs Hub, this initiative aimed to empower approximately 500 proactive Thai youths with the knowledge and tools to spearhead sustainable development initiatives.
The project included lectures and discussions led by Mr. Ply Pirom, Future Food Together Project Manager at WWF Thailand, on topics related to sustainable food systems and their links to the SDGs, especially SDG12: Sustainable Consumption and Production.
Youth Education Materials
“The Food System and Sustainable Lifestyles: Youth Education Content” is a supplementary report designed to educate young people about sustainable food consumption. Our Future Food Together team in Thailand aims to increase awareness among urban consumers, particularly the youth, about the link between consumption choices and environmental impacts. The report compiles secondary data and existing knowledge in an easy-to-understand format, prioritizing active learning to transform lifestyle behaviors. It can be used as a textbook or guideline in grade 10-12 science and geography classes and presented in both English and Thai languages to facilitate adoption by both Thai and international schools.
Education materials. © WWF-Thailand
Get-together at World Environmental Day. © WWF-Thailand
The combination of the Environmental Education Tour and the Youth Leadership Project represents a powerful approach to inspire and equip Thai youths with the knowledge to tackle environmental challenges and promote sustainable living. By engaging with local communities and providing educational opportunities, WWF Thailand, ESF, and their partners are nurturing a generation of young change-makers who will play a pivotal role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Find out more about our work in Thailand here: