3 youths from Banpu’s “Power Green Camp 12” fly to Japan, a model country for environmental management, to study biodiversity conservation and balanced natural resources management
Banpu Public Company Limited, a leading integrated energy solutions company in Asia-Pacific with great commitment to social sustainability, and the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol Universityjointly hosted the Power Green Camp 12 and supported three outstanding young students from the camp to go on an excursion to Japan, a recognized country for economic, social and technological advances as well as rich biodiversity. The country is well suited to this year’s theme “Balancing economy, society and biodiversity in the era of Thailand 4.0”. The camp aimed at providing opportunities for the youths with the passion and care for the environment to broaden their horizons through learning environmental management in the model country for the management of environmental sustainability.
Japan, the destination of this year’s excursion which was the extended activity of the Power Green Camp 12, was ranked the 20th of 180 countries or the 2nd of Asia just behind Israel according to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)[1]. The country is undoubtedly among the global leaders in highly efficient environmental management. The following are some fascinating activities the three young participants joined during the trip on environmental and biodiversity management:
- Study Minakami Biosphere Reserve, Gunma Prefecture, which was designated as a UNESCO Eco Park. Study the management process to preserve rich biodiversity while maintaining economic, social and community growth.
Attending a lecture on the management of UNESCO Eco Park, Minakami Biosphere Reserve, Gunma Prefecture,
- Visit Takumi no Sato Handicraft Center, and experience Japanese traditional crafts. Learn about the Akaya Project, which aims to restore the forests to their natural state, and the revival of “castanets”, a percussion instrument Japanese kids enjoy playing while singing and dancing.
The 3 outstanding youths from the Power Green Camp 12 while attending activities in Japan.
- Study the sake storing method in a “natural storeroom” invented by local wisdom, which uses snow instead of electricity for cold storage at Uonuma-no-sato Sake Brewery, Niigata Prefecture.
Banpu team and the 3 selected participants the 12th Power Green Camp are studying the sake storing method using the cold from snow at Uonuma-no-sato Sake Brewery, Niigata Prefecture.
- Study the work process of Shin-Koto Incineration Plant, the largest incineration plant in Tokyo with treatment capacity of 1,800 tons of garbage per day while producing zero pollutions. The plant also generates electricity of 16,000 kW/round. The electricity is enough for factory use and the surplus is sold for household use in the surrounding communities.
Banpu team and 3 selected participants the 12th Power Green Camp are learning the work process of Shin-Koto Incineration Plant, which is a highly efficient plant in waste and energy management.
- Visit the Tropical Plants Museum to learn about the technology for maintaining the biodiversity of species from various regions. Visit the National Museum of Nature and Science to explore the origin of the earth, the environment, and biodiversity of plants and animals. Experience scientific and technological advances at the National Museum of Science and Modern Evolution in Tokyo.
These activities apparently show the balanced coexistence between the economic and social development and environmental conservation in Japan.
Ms. Udomlux Olarn, Head of Corporate Affairs, Banpu Public Company Limited stated, “Banpu has been operating our businesses in accordance with our Sustainability Development Policy and Biodiversity Policy aiming to promote the balanced coexistence between society and environment. This year is the third consecutive year we supported young people to gain insight into biodiversity in a foreign country. Banpu believes that Japan, where Banpu Power Public Company Limited or BPP, our subsidiary runs solar farms, is a high potential country in terms of economic and industrial growth while being able to preserve local identity and way of life in tandem with the maintenance of rich biodiversity and environmental sustainability. This excursion not only broadens the three young participants’ horizons but also encourages further application of what they have learned. We also hope that they will become a major force driving positive changes in the future, especially in the environment, in line with Banpu’s philosophy: “Learning is the power of change and development”.
The students selected to join the trip were 1) Mr. Akkaraphan Taweesak, Grade 12, from Princess Chulabhorn’s College, Pathum Thani; 2) Miss Thaniya Methasmithkul, Grade 11, from Thidanukhro School; and 3) Miss Pattaralada Sitthipol, Grade 11 from Sarakhampittayakhom School. All of them enjoyed the 5-day experience and had opportunities to expand their worldviews. They also attentively reaped all the knowledge they could learn from this educational trip
(from left to right) Miss Thaniya Methasmithkul or Mind,
Mr. Akkaraphan Taweesak or Ice and Miss Pattaralada Sitthipol or Nant
Mr. Akkaraphan Taweesak or Ice said, “Each place has unique economic, social and biodiversity management, coexistence of local communities as well as distinctive local culture. I was impressed by the Shin-Koto Incineration Plant’s efficient waste and energy management. The waste management process causes no harmful impacts on the environment, and the employees and the surrounding communities have been cultivated passion for the environment. This trip has broadened my worldviews, and I will definitely share this once-in-a lifetime experience I had with my friends.”
Mr. Akkaraphan Taweesak or Ice,
a 12th grade student from Princess Chulabhorn’s College
Miss Thaniya Methasmithkul or Mind added, “I was so excited when I knew that I would get to visit Japan. The place I like best in this trip was Minakami Biosphere Reserve, one of the designated UNESCO Eco Parks as everything there is systematically managed with clear zoning. For instance, the transition zone is residential areas; the buffer area is for educational purpose and ecotourism while the core area is strictly protected by law for long-term conservation. I would like to thank the camp for taking me to experience these new things. It was such a dream trip, and without the support from the camp, I would not have received the great opportunity to go on an excursion on the environmental and biodiversity conservation like this one.”
Miss Thaniya Methasmithkul or Mind,
an 11th grade student from Thidanukhro School
Miss Pattaralada Sitthipol or Nant added and also invited interested youths to join the camp, “We gained different information and knowledge of biodiversity and environmental management from each place. It was great that the camp supported a trip abroad, and I really enjoyed visiting new places and learning what I never knew. I was impressed with the sake storing method at Uonuma-no-sato Sake Brewery because they wisely apply local wisdom with technology in a sustainable way. In Thailand, we can also apply our local wisdoms in order to help preserve them while we can bring innovation into use in a balanced manner. I would like to invite friends and young people who have a keen interest in the environment to join the Power Green Camp. This is an opportunity for informal learning outside of class to expand your vision and to apply the knowledge gained for everyday use.”
Miss Pattaralada Sitthipol or Nant,
an 11th grade student from Sarakhampittayakhom School
For those young people who are interested in expanding their horizons and want to join the Power Green Camp 13, an environmental science youth camp, during school break from 18-25 October 2018 at the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, you can follow the news and updates on the application at www.powergreencamp.com and www.facebook.com/powergreencamp or call 0 2441 5000 ext. 2112.
[1] 2018 Environmental Performance Index
###
About Power Green Camp
The Power Green Camp has been continuously operated since the establishment in 2006 through the collaboration of the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, and Banpu Public Company Limited under the concept “Environmental science – transforming learning into practice”. The camp aims to equip high-school students with knowledge about environmental science and the ability to systematically apply scientific knowledge to solving environmental problems in order to implant environmental awareness in the youths and create young environmental leaders and network targeting Grades 11-12 science-program students nationwide.
About Banpu Public Company Limited
Banpu Public Company Limited is a leading integrated energy solutions company in Asia-Pacific Region, operating coal, power, and renewable energy businesses in ten countries: Thailand, Indonesia, China, Australia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Singapore, Japan, the USA and Vietnam.
“Learning is the Power of Change and Development”
Banpu believes that “learning” is the significant foundation for “human capital” development, which will drive community and social sustainability. Our CSR activities in all countries thus emphasize the promotion and development of lifelong learning for young people and communities in a number of ways. Banpu supports sustainable development of communities and society through a variety of learning opportunities ranging from hands-on experience, daily life activities, learning in and outside classroom, practice to build potential and life skills, and seeking new knowledge by themselves or with peers.
