Presentation at Pattana (BPS)

On May 20th I presented to teachers and students at Bangkok Patana School about environmental actions a school could be involved with. The theme was LESS TALK... MORE ACTION. It showed things that can be done in class, with an environmental group and events a whole school can get involved with to change businesses. See both presentations below.

Carrotmob - Ban the Bag on Prezi

Bps presentation

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Link to all various things shown in the presentation here

Earth Week Results

Find out how Earth Week 2011 went. Which grade got the most points and earned a free dress day. Did the Carrotmob work?

Easth Week Results

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Carrotmob Winners!!!!

Finally, we can announce the Carrotmob winners. First I would like to thank New York Diner, Que Pasa, Subway, Slider Shack and Twist for participating in the 2nd Bangkok Carrotmob.

Based on what all 5 companies have done we have selected 3 winners and they are:

1. Twist
2. Slider Shack
3. Que Pasa

Have a look at what all 5 companies have done by clicking here.

There were some significant changes made in certain areas.

Friday after school (2:15) the mob will meet in front of the ISB zig zag to get everyone together. Twist has agreed to come to us and will be set up in front with us and will have 200+ smoothies ready to go (60 baht - please have correct change).

From there we will march out to reward Slider Shack and then branch off to reward Que Pasa too. You can buy as little or as much as you like, but I recommend having 100-300 baht.

We still have no idea how many will turn up. I suspect about 200, but it could even reach 500 or more. We welcome anyone and everyone who wants to make a difference in the world and would like to reward businesses for making eco changes.

Remember the Carrotmob only works if people show up to support it.

Do students have the power to change the world?

Carrotmob is a great opportunity for people to come together for change... But it ONLY works if people support it.

How does a Carrotmob work? Watch this video and see if you can figure it out first.



It is people rewarding businesses who make changes for the better. We reward them by going there and shopping on a certain day.

We are doing a carrotmob tomorrow (Friday, April 29), right after school. We will first meet in front of the school and head out from there.
The winner(s) will also be announced there. We need 500 people. If you care about the planet you live on and want to improve it... SHOW UP!

Help us chose a winner. Each synergy group can look through the list and vote on who you think should get 1st, 2nd, 3rd place. Your teacher can send me the votes.



Click here to see what changes each business made.

Hope to see you Friday in front of ISB. Bring some money (small bills please)

Earth Week 2011

Dear Parents, teachers, students and ISB community,

I hope you can join us for many of our Earth Week events. You are welcome to all of them.

There is a lot happening this year. Be sure to know what going on.

ISB Earth Week 2011

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ISB ECO MOVIE: April 21 at 2:10 and 3:15

SHARKWATER "The Truth Will Surface"

Students 4 Change - Carrotmob Style

ISB students have made many eco changes over the past 6+ years. Last year we came together to form a mob... a Carrotmob in fact. That group was open to anyone in Thailand & grew to 8000+ members wanting to ban plastic bags. 1397 members showed up to at Villa supermarket to support their move to ban plastic bags!

From that success, we want to spread the Carrotmob concept to other schools. This group is specifically designed for students in Thailand (International and Thai) to create change in their community. We also welcome teachers, school staff, parents and/or community member who want to make positive changes towards a more sustainable and/or socially responsible world.

The Carrotmob concept is awesome and it works! In short, you build a crowd; that's the mob. We build the mob using Facebook and Twitter. Together the mob has consumer power and we help support businesses to make eco friendly changes; this is using the carrot instead of the stick. No protests, boycotts or negative behavior; it's win - win for everyone. At Villa we banned plastic bags, but we could also help restaurants support organic farmers, or help a store use energy saving devices, or biodegradable containers. The opportunities are endless. Usually the businesses are put into a competition (but not always), and the winner gets the mob. By that, I mean the mob shows up on a chosen day to support the winner simply by shopping there.

What do you have to do to help?
The beauty of the Carrotmob is you don't do much to be effective.

• 1st - Join "Students 4 Change"
• 2nd - Use FB, Twitter, and your voice to spread the message to your friends and family in Thailand. The more members we have the more effective it is.
• 3rd - When a winner is chosen and a day is set, just show up and shop!

That's it! There are a lot of International & Thai Schools in Thailand. Imagine if we are all connected for common causes. Together we can make a lot happen.

Our next event is called "ISB EARTH WEEK CARROTMOB" and it is happening on April 29, 2011. If you live near ISB we would love for you to attend. Unfortunately, you cannot see the event on FB unless you join the group. Then the event 'should' be on the right side of the page.

Are you confused?

• Students 4 Change - is the 'mother' group and can be used for all kinds of events to create changes for sustainability. Any school or group can use this audience to announce their event. It might be a big event in Bangkok that we want all members to attend.
  
• ISB Earth Week Carrotmob - is a sub group of people in the ISB area ready to support the first event. Once this event is over, this group will also be over, but not the 'mother' group.
  

Help Local Businesses near ISB

Let's help local businesses become more eco friendly & sustainable. For Earth Week we have invited businesses just outside Nichada to our Carrotmob competition. Que Pasa, Slider Shack, New York Diner, Subway, and Twist have all accepted the offer.

They were asked to do what they can to be more eco friendly and sustainable.
For example:

• Que Pasa might put more organic items on their menu.
• Slider Shack might use only free range meat.
• New York Diner might decide to retrofit their restaurant to be more energy efficient.
• Subway may reduce packaging.
• Twist has already done a lot, but there’s always room for more.

Student teams have already visited each business to analyze their operation and look for areas to improve. We will offer suggestions and resources, but the final decision to make any change is totally up to the owner. During Earth week, the Green Panthers will determine a winner and the winner will receive the support of the mob to show up and shop after school on Friday, April 29th. If more than one business makes significant changes, we will most likely support them as well.

When we did this for Villa a year ago, our goal was 500 supporters. 1397 supporters showed up to make a big statement! Let's do it again.

Please sign up for "ISB Earth Week Carrotmob" by clicking the link.

What do you have to do to help?

The beauty of the Carrotmob is you don't do much to be effective.

• 1st - Become a member of this group.
• 2nd - Use FB, Twitter, and your voice to spread the message to your friends and family in the ISB area.
• 3rd - 2:15 pm Friday, April 29th join us to go shopping to support the winner!
  

What are you waiting for... let's make our community more sustainable!

More Eco Changes leading up to Earth Week

• You may have noticed the juice dispensers and new paper cups in the cafeteria. This was to reduce our dependence on plastic bottles for juice. However, now paper cups are used a lot. The cafeteria welcomes the idea of customers bringing their own cup. In the future, we may have more eco friendly disposable cups and maybe a discount for those bringing their own cup.
  

• Since the bottled water campaign took place back in October, bottled water usage has dropped of by 66%. Before sales ranged between 1500-1800 bottles a week. Now it is about 500-600/week.
  

• Due to success of Meatless Monday and proactive management in the cafeteria, we will hopefully welcome a new vegetarian section to open up during Earth Week which plans to remain at ISB afterwards. It is also likely to offer organic, but that isn’t confirmed yet.
  

• “Follow-me Printing”, you print as normal from your computer, then go to a printer, and tap your ID card, the job will automatically come out. With our trial in the Middle School there was a significant reduction in uncollected paper.

Bio Bus comes to ISB

Andy Pag is traveling around the world and giving an environmental message on the way. However, he is not just saying it; he's living it. He built a bus out of scrap material in a junkyard. If that wasn't enough, the bus runs on bio fuel. However, bio fuel can be very controversial and in many cases, it is worse for the planet and the habitat it destroys for many animals. However Andy isn't supporting the deforestation of rain forest, the oil palm plantations or even fuel made from corn or any other food crop. However, his message is all about using waste. His fuel is actually from waste cooking oil from restaurants.

Off course the bus itself is equipped with other eco products. Most things on the bus are again from waste materials, with a few exceptions such as the solar panel on the roof and the led lights.

Andy left England 14 months ago and has slowly made his way around the world, with one adventure after another. Not all has been positive, the bus has broken down several times due to its age, and the fuel has frozen in cold countries, Andy has been falsely suspected of terrorism in a ridiculous charge and spend some time in jail in India.

However, overall the journey has been worth it and Andy is in no hurry to finish it anytime soon.

Andy spoke with ISB students in 3 presentations held throughout the day and had an audience ranging from grades 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, and various HS classes.

Some 6th graders even made a video about the Bio Bus.


To see more go to http://www.biotruckexpedition.com/

Compass of Sustainability

A few months back, I attended a workshop at NIST and it was about the COMPASS OF SUSTAINABILITY.

When we think of a regular compass, we think of a guiding tool that helps us find our way and give us direction. The Compass of Sustainability has the same goal, but in a different way. Instead of North, South, East, West, the Compass of Sustainability has:

N = Nature
E = Economy
S = Society
W = Wellbeing

The Compass of Sustainability is a reflective, decision-making tool that incorporates sustainability. It was designed to help businesses become sustainable, but is now being used more and more by schools to guide decisions and also used in the curriculum for all ages and subjects.

Currently, it has been experimented with grade 5, 8, Environmental Stewardship class, Global Issues, and some HS classes. Keep your eye on this one as it may grow to something quite important at ISB.

Eco Trip 3 - Elephants and Rivers!!

March 11-13 ISB will head out for the 3rd eco trip of the year. It promises to be an exciting one whereby we stay on a raft boat in Sai Yok national park on Friday and then work with elephants on Saturday and Sunday at Elephant's World in Kanchanaburi.

Permission forms can be picked up on Mr. Dyke's desk in the Community Service Office (next to nurse office and book store).

There is only room for 25 and it will fill up fast. HS and MS students are welcome, but swimming ability is a must as we will stay on a river.

See Eco Trip Itinerary and camping checklist here

Eco Survey (Attitude and Behavior)

Thank you for helping me with this survey.

I need people to take my behavioral survey and attitude survey. I just need synergy students to answer the questions honestly (don't say what you think I want to hear; just be honest). This will be the pre-test and in about 3-4 months I will ask you to take it again for the post-test.

Now it is time for part 2: Post Test

Please do both by clicking on the link.

• Behavioral survey (Eco Footprint). Please copy and paste the survey in a word document, complete the survey, and email it back to kerryd@isb.ac.th.
  

• Attitudinal survey. There are 3 groups. Please read to make sure you chose the correct group depending on your experience.
  

Group 1: Those who have never taken the Environmental Stewardship class before.
Group 2: I have taken the Environmental Stewardship class in the last year or less.
Group 3: I have taken the Environmental Stewardship class more than 1 year ago.

Thank you for your help.

Bottled Water Prices Double To 20 Baht

As ISB continues to make moves to be a greener school, tough decisions are made that are not always easy to swallow (pardon the pun). As of Oct 12, 2010 ISB will charge double for bottled water. This is to discourage the buying of bottled water and to encourage more to move toward using reusable bottles that are safe and better for the planet.

ISB has supported this move by installing 2 new water dispensers in the cafeteria and sports area. This dispenser provides clean, safe drinking water for FREE! ISB has also ordered 1400 safe and eco friendly reusable water bottles. These bottles are being sold now at the bookstore for 350 baht.

The hardest part is to convince people to learn the truth about bottled water and stop believing misleading advertising and media. Most of us believe bottled water taste better, is safer and healthier, and comes from pristine water flowing from an untouched mountains. This simply is NOT true and there is plenty of evidence of this on the Internet and in other places. If you look at the presentation below you will start learning the truth about bottled water.

We also invite the ISB community to join us for Movie Night on Thursday, Oct 21, 2010. We will show the movie TAPPED in the new theater at 2:20 and 3:30.

Tap vs Bottled Water

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ISB Health & Fitness Week

Health & Fitness Week at ISB September 13 – 16:

This year’s theme = Healthy People/ Healthy Planet. For detailed information and facts about some of the events check out the slide show and movie.

• Monday: Walking school bus for those who live in the Nichada area. For more information about this, check out www.walkingschoolbus.org Contact Sabine Mau (sabinecmau@yahoo.com/ 082-332-3010) if you would like to volunteer to be a “bus driver.”
• Monday: Meatless Monday in both the ES and main cafeterias – lots of delicious vegetarian options! See MENU HERE
  

• Tuesday: Morning fitness exercises with Mr. Udagawa in front of the school (7:05 a.m.)
• Tuesday: Health Checks given by Samithivej Hospital (in front of the Booster Hut) - open to all community members

• Wednesday: Cycling Day. Let’s see if we can get 500 bicycles on campus!

• Thursday: Health and Fitness Fair all day in the PE area: health checks given by Bumrungrad Hospital, fitness vendors, interactive health classes

• All Week: Healthy food options in the cafeterias

Health & Fitness Week 2010

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FOOD INC.



Food Matters

Tree Planting - 2010

30 students, 300 trees, lots of rain and a bus that broke down 7 times.

Great group of kids on this trip. Hope you had a great time.

Earth Week 2010

Earth Week is from April 26-30. We will have different events each and every day as well as special guests. Hope you will participate. Check out the events below.

Earth week 40th anniversary

For full Earth Week 2010 presentation click here

Earth Day at ISB

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. At ISB we celebrated it by looking at what we have accomplished over the past 5 years. Please check out this video to see what changes have been made at ISB... many of them by students.



This video shows what students are doing for the environment or what they will do during Earth Week (April 26-30)



Also today 3 students (Katie, Eng and Oliva) went on Spanish radio to talk about the environment. This was broadcast in Spain, USA, and South American countries.


Congratulations ISB for taking steps towards a greener school.

This Explains It All - V-Day, Carrotmob, Ban Plastic, etc

Today I presented to a full theater about what we are doing. It covered from beginning to end 1) The Problem: Plastic Bags, 2) The Solution, 3)How Do You Change Business: Carrotmob, 4) Action: V-Day, 5) Next Steps

In my opinion this is definitely the best way to get a handle on everything that is happening. Probably also the easiest way to explain it to a friend.

Hope you enjoy.

Ban Plastic Bags on Prezi

Bangkok Post Article

As V-Day gets closer we are stepping up our efforts to let more and more know what is happening. Yesterday the Bangkok Post featured our efforts to ban plastic bags in Thailand on the front page of their business section. See full article here.

Eco Trip: Kaeng Kachan 2010

27 students, 3 adults on a fun trip to Kaeng Kachan National Park. Jan 15-17, 2010.