Transforming Ocean Trash into Climate Solutions: How Taipei is Leading the Way

La Benida Hui, an environmental artist, is making waves at Badou Elementary in Keelung. She inspires young minds to engage with nature through art and storytelling. “I tell the kids they have superpowers,” Hui explains. She emphasizes that their choices can lead to real change.

This year marks her second as artist-in-residence at the school. Here, she leads creative lessons aimed at rethinking their connection to the environment. Students transform beach waste into eye-catching artworks, exploring both creativity and ecological responsibility. With the school perched on coastal hills, Hui’s program is perfectly aligned with its mission: fostering early environmental awareness.

Principal Che Hsiao-kai believes the school’s location provides a unique opportunity for students to actively participate in ocean protection. “We want our children to protect our ocean,” he says. Students first showcased their collaborative spirit last year with a dragon made from recycled ocean debris, welcoming all who enter.

Hui’s journey took a pivotal turn in 2014 after a research voyage from Bermuda to Iceland. Studying microplastics with scientists opened her eyes. Now, she uses art to help students grasp complex environmental issues. “Our curriculum is solid, but Hui’s art gives kids new ways to express and understand their responsibilities,” Principal Che notes.

Eric Chen, a science teacher, adds that Hui’s interactive workshops immerse students in climate change discussions. “It’s essential for them to connect with their land, not just learn about it passively,” he says. To engage students further, Hui is creating life-size weather panels that illustrate local rainfall data, blending art with science.

Despite her impactful efforts, Hui faces significant challenges. In Taiwan, accessing current climate change information can be tough. Many resources are outdated, and skepticism about human impact on climate persists among some educators. While Badou Elementary champions environmental education, cultural norms often stifle creativity and confidence in students. “Art encourages exploration without fear,” Hui reflects. “But here, the arts aren’t valued as much.”

Hui brings her workshops to life with vivid visuals: photos of floating plastic waste, graphs tracing microplastics, and animations of tiny organisms. This hands-on approach sparks curiosity and responsibility in students, encouraging them to evolve into mindful stewards of the planet. “Taiwan is your home, right? The ocean is also your home,” she reminds them.

By swapping textbooks for creative projects, she turns climate education into an engaging mission. “Students are seedlings,” Principal Che says. “They will lead future generations and must build awareness of their environment.” As kids immerse themselves in art, they grow into active participants in protecting their planet.

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台北時報,The Taipei Times