Transforming Climate Awareness: How a Captivating Puppet Film is Sparking Change

The Ministry of Environment has launched a charming glove puppetry short film to raise awareness about climate change, featuring the Chenglong Wetlands in Yunlin County. Created with the help of the Sheng-Wu-Chou Puppet Troupe, the film aims to educate younger audiences, especially elementary and junior-high students, on climate resilience.

Historically, the Chenglong Wetlands have faced severe environmental challenges. The area was once called “the community below sea level” due to flooding from typhoons Wayne in 1986 and Herb in 1996. These floods, combined with excessive groundwater extraction, caused significant land subsidence. What was once farmland turned into wetlands, which local authorities began preserving as ecological fallow land in 2005. In 2019, these wetlands were designated a national scenic site, highlighting their ecological importance.

According to the ministry’s report Climate Change in Taiwan: National Scientific Report 2024, if global temperatures increase by less than 2°C, Taiwan could see a rise in sea levels by about 34.5 cm. This change significantly threatens coastal areas, with Yunlin County projected to be one of the hardest hit.

The Chenglong Wetlands serve as a successful example of how communities can adapt to climate change. To support local residents, the government has promoted sustainable aquaculture practices and even set up an online platform to sell aquaculture products.

The new film cleverly intertwines elements from the classic tale Journey to the West with the story of the wetlands, hoping to engage young viewers in climate education. In the latter half of this year, the Kuan-Shu Educational Foundation plans to conduct eight field trips to the wetlands for local schools, further raising awareness around climate risks.

This initiative reflects a growing trend towards using creative formats like puppetry to discuss serious topics. Engaging the youth in these conversations is crucial for ensuring future generations are equipped to handle climate challenges. The puppetry film can be viewed on the Ministry of Environment’s YouTube channel here.

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台北時報,The Taipei Times