Over 100 students, teachers, and parents gathered outside the Legislative Council to oppose the government’s incinerators plan on May 26. Some of the students who participated in this campaign were as young as in their primary school students, en masse! If the intention is to arose public awareness, the schools and students had successfully achieved what they were looking for.

I have no intention here to discuss right or wrong of building the incinerator(s) in Hong Kong. But as I am a researcher focusing on environmental education, this is my duty to share the potential negative effect from this incident led by the parents and teachers. Per my Doctoral research in environmental education, children of young age are easily being influenced to engage in any activity with environmental concerns. We need further attention, especially on the non-native young boys for they may potentially develop anti-economic development attitude and use it as a tool in any environmental protection aspect in their future.

Based on my previous empirical research, the right approach to engage students’ environmental concern is to let them discuss, observe, participate in positive environmental protection activities so as to build up critical thinking skill. Joining the protest maybe fascinating for the children, but did all these students understand what were their objectives in this demonstration? Did they really analyze the situation before they took on side in the argument? At least my 8 years old nephew did not really know what he was doing out there but only eager to show up in front of the camera….

To protect Hong Kong’s sustainability, waste treatment is imperative and collaborative governance with consensus from the government, the citizens, the NGOs, and the educators have to be reached. However, I am suspicious of the true intention to involve children in the front line of the battle, especially in front of the media and led by a legislator.


(photo source : skypost)

Dr. Lianne Lam
May 27, 2014