ISB Students create the Green Bag

In Sunday, June 3rd's Bangkok Post, three ISB students, Phantila Phataraparasit, 13, Tiffany Vanichviroon, 13, and Phiravit Phataraprasit, 11 were featured in an article for their creation of the 'Green Bag' in association with the Gourmet Markets of Siam Paragon and Emporium.

Now, home furnishing chain Habitat has adopted an adorable idea from three young schoolchildren at the International School of Bangkok, by inviting green-hearted fashionistas to shop in style while showing their responsibility towards the environment by using a natural canvas bag, called the "Green Bag". The bag has been created to encourage shoppers to refrain from using environmentally unfriendly plastic bags.

"As a part of a school competition to see who could come up with the best project to help lessen the effects of global warming, the three young students, Phantila Phataraparasit, 13, Tiffany Vanichviroon, 13, and Phiravit Phataraprasit, 11, were brave enough to present their ideas to the executives of Siam Paragon and Emporium's Gourmet Market, who took up the challenge and made it happen," said Brent D. Smith, chief marketing officer of Habitat Thailand. "This project gives people a choice as to whether to participate in the reduction of their carbon footprint by saying 'No' to plastic."

The bags are available in five designs at Habitat stores and at ISB for 100 baht each.

The students' recognition is well-deserved and ISB is very proud of their efforts.

Everyone can make a difference!

Close to Home - A Thai village under water

BBC NEWS Asia-Pacific The village that was swallowed by the sea

This BBC News artcile describes the plight of a Thai village just an hour south of Bangkok. Environmentalists claim that the erosion is probably "some of the worst in the world."

Climate change has resulted in more intense waves and rougher seas during the monsoon period," he said. "The average height of waves used to be between one and 1.5 metres, but now it has increased to between two and four metres high.

While locals have tried natural solutions like the planting of mangrove trees which typically encourage sediment, the saplings haven't taken because the waves are too big and the trees just get wiped out.

Dr Thanawat's solution? Concrete wave-breakers built 500 meters out. But the solution is only a study.

The question is, what can be done long term?

Earth Week & Fair

On April 23-27 ISB celebrated earth week. Each day had different themes all related to making people more environmentally aware and giving them opportunities to take eco action.

On Friday we had the Earth Fair and had over 20 companies and NGO’s at the event. We also had 10 student projects. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to each of you who participated in this event. The day was a huge success with about one thousand students going to the event and being actively engaged in learning about environmental issues and solutions.

We also have a photo gallery up of the fair.

Go With Da Fro

Plant a Tree Today is an UK Charity organization with offices in Thailand. As their name suggests they are particularly focused on addressing climate change in a proactive way by planting trees to offset carbon footprints.

At Plant A Tree Today we can't completely reverse the effects of deforestation and global warming, but we can discover how planting trees can help to combat climate change, provide sustainable economic development for developing countries and poor rural communities, and reduce the effects of natural disasters. We can make a difference.

Chris, a representative from PATT, unveiled their new campaign at ISB's Earth Fair. The new video clip features the talents of the Rapping Professor and shares the message of tree planting and positively combatting climate change. We have posted this video on our school site as well.

No Idling at ISB

One of our accomplishments of the year was to implement the "No Idling" policy. Cars waiting in the parking lot must shut off their engines. This applies to the school buses as well, which were turning on their engines AND running air conditioning well before students were coming out to get on them.

This policy will significantly reduce emissions at ISB.

To see the poster in both English and Thai, click here.

For a poster of the image above, click here.

An Inconvenient Truth

The Green Panthers showcased the award winning documentary film, "An Inconvient Truth". As a result of showing this film with the entire MS and HS student body, students' awareness of global climate change was increased significantly.

Students wrote letters to former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore as a response to his film. The former Vice-President sent a response letter.

Future Plans

In the future we are hoping to do the following:

• Have more of an impact in the cafeteria and add organic products, reduce waste, and use more eco certified labels
• Work with Chevron to do an eco audit and measure ISB’s carbon footprint
• Continue to build awareness and involve the extended community more
• Form a partnership with Plant-a-tree-today and help ISB reduce and offset its carbon footprint
• Possibly work with a company who makes biodegradable plastic out of tapioca.