SANDAKAN: The Youth Camp on Climate Change 2025, organized by the Sabah Forestry Department with sponsorship from the Sabah Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBSS), was officially launched on Friday at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) here.
The theme for this year’s Youth Camp, “Climate Change,” aims to engage and educate youths aged 17–25 years old on climate change issues and efforts to address them through experiential learning methods.
The camp, which runs from 2 to 4 May 2025, successfully gathered 40 participants from five institutions and colleges around Sandakan and Lahad Datu. Among those involved are Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Politeknik Sandakan, Kolej Komuniti Sandakan, Kolej Vokasional Sandakan II, and Kolej Komuniti Lahad Datu.
Participants were randomly divided into five groups and assigned tasks related to climate change issues. Each group will present their findings at the end of the camp to foster teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership skills among the participants.
Approximately 70% of the camp activities involve fieldwork, supported by members of the Sabah Environmental Education Network (SEEN), which is the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), with additional assistance from researchers from the Forest Research Centre (FRC) Sepilok.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit the landfill site managed by the Sandakan Municipal Council to better understand waste management issues linked to climate change.
Climate change is a global issue that is increasingly impacting the environment. Early education on this matter is crucial among the younger generation, as they will become future leaders responsible for planning and implementing solutions to climate challenges.
After attending this camp, participants are expected to spread the knowledge and skills they have acquired to their peers at their respective institutions. This will further amplify the programme’s impact, as it provides opportunities for more individuals to access vital information about climate change and the actions that can be taken to mitigate negative impacts on ecosystems and the stability of the global climate.
The objectives of the camp are – to expose youths to the importance of agencies involved in tackling climate change issues, to stimulate youths’ interest in conservation efforts in Sabah in addressing climate change and to encourage youths to disseminate knowledge and skills to the community, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts in tackling climate change.
“Education does not only happen in classrooms. Knowledge can also be shared in the field, amidst nature, and within communities struggling with the impacts of climate change. Camps like this provide youths with the opportunity to see, feel, understand, and then take action,” said Mary Paul Mijong Dagul, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Sabah Ministry of Youth and Sports representing Datuk Ellron Angin, Sabah Minister of Youth and Sports.
“Climate change is not just an issue for experts; it is a shared concern that must be understood by all levels of society,” said Dr. Arthur Chung, Head of Forest Research Centre, representing Datuk Frederick Kugan, Chief Conservator of Forests, Sabah Forestry Department. – James Leong
