Playtimes HK Magazine April 2018 Issue | Page 37

features by an eco-conscious school board president, Leung has seen firsthand how something as simple as a school garden can change young people’s attitudes about the environment. “One time we were looking at worm compost,” Leung explains, “and holding some worms in hand. Some students had never touched a worm, some are really scared, but some are like, ‘Actually it’s not that scary anymore, can I have more?’ Also, by seeing how slowly food grows, they realise, ‘Oh, maybe we should appreciate food as a resource.’” Leung said that beach clean-ups and school talks about ocean plastics also help students to visualise the severity of the world’s rubbish problem. “In January, we engaged the students in activities and talks for one whole week, and I feel that they were very struck by the plastic pollution problem because they were shown how plastic damages animals – turtles eating straws, etc. The feedback from kids and from parents was that the kids were talking about plastic bottles and saying, ‘Dad, we cannot buy plastic bottles anymore or we should not be using straws.’” She explained that even though the plastic problem appears enormous, the students generally reacted with positivity and purpose. “When we do the beach clean-ups and sort the rubbish, the students realise, ‘Oh, this is all related to our daily lives.’ And so they feel it’s not a problem that’s so unmanageable if we all do something – for example using reusable instead of single-use. I think that empowers them and gives them some hope.” Awareness through hands-on learning is also a core principle at the World Wildlife Fund’s two Hong Kong educational centres: the Mai Po Nature Reserve and Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. “When we are designing a programme one of the key parts is to Hong Kong continues to benefit from its plastic bag levy. An amazing statistic from the scheme’s first year: a simple charge of 50c per plastic bag reduced usage by 90 percent let the kids have direct contact with nature and wildlife because this really affects them emotionally,” says Lily Lam, WWF education officer and tour leader. “It’s not just us telling them facts about environmental problems. It’s always fascinating when they can meet wildlife, and they feel happy when they discover new things.” Like Julia Leung, Lam is an open water diver whose interest in the environment was sparked by a snorkelling trip. She has plenty of stories of seemingly apathetic youngsters who’ve come to her for a nature tour or bird-watching camp only to be transformed by their experiences. One of WWF’s current projects – Sea For Future – brings together secondary students with local fishermen. Lam said the exchanges open students’ eyes to the realities of life as a fisherman. After learning more about each other, the different groups can begin to work together on conservation projects, such as WWF’s goal of increasing the percentage of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Hong Kong from 1.5 percent to 10 percent by 2020. WWF HK calls their MPA plan a ‘smart investment in ocean health’. One that will benefit commercial fishermen April 2018 35