From Awareness to Action: Empowering Young People to Lead a Sustainable Future
The global waste crisis cannot be solved by technology and policy alone—it requires people, especially young people, to take action. Drawing on his research at Chulalongkorn University, Dr. Oluseye Oludoye found that sustainable behavior is a journey shaped by awareness, community, and opportunity. His findings show that many Gen Z students are ready to change, highlighting the vital role universities play in empowering future leaders to turn small everyday actions into lasting environmental impact.
The world produces over 2.1 billion metric tons of municipal solid waste annually, a figure expected to rise by 70% by 2050. Beyond overflowing landfills, this crisis directly threatens human health through air pollution, contaminated food, and microplastics.
Understanding What Inspires Young People to Act
For Dr. Oluseye Oludoye, Lecturer in Environmental Science at Teesside University, UK, and a Ph.D. alumnus of Chulalongkorn University, the global waste crisis is inherently a human issue—and a challenge that young people have the power to solve.
Lecturer in Environmental Science, Teesside University, UK
Alumnus of Chulalongkorn University’s Ph.D. Program in Hazardous Substances and Environmental Management
While pursuing his doctorate in Hazardous Substances and Environmental Management at Chulalongkorn University, Dr. Oludoye witnessed the challenges of food waste and single-use plastics in Thailand. This inspired him to look beyond the waste itself and focus on the people behind the problem.
“What motivates young people to adopt sustainable behaviors?”became the central question of his research.
His study on Thai Gen Z students revealed that sustainable behavior is a progressive journey. Young people move through distinct stages: from gaining awareness of environmental problems, to considering change, taking action, and ultimately integrating sustainability into their daily lives.
Encouragingly, the research found that 52% of the surveyed students were already contemplating action. They understood the challenges and were preparing to change their behavior.
“This shows enormous potential,” Dr. Oludoye explains. “Many young people already care deeply about sustainability. They simply need the right support to take the next step.”
From Personal Awareness to Collective Action
Dr. Oludoye’s research highlighted that environmental awareness begins close to home. Students become motivated when they see waste affecting their own communities and families. When sustainability becomes personal, it becomes meaningful.
However, classroom education alone is rarely enough. While it provides essential scientific understanding, today’s youth are heavily influenced by their digital communities. Social media platforms, creators, and peer-led movements have become powerful spaces for spreading green ideas. For instance, viral sustainability challenges on TikTok demonstrate how habits like reducing plastic use or recycling can become shared, engaging experiences.
For universities, this presents a unique opportunity to blend academic knowledge with peer influence, creating learning environments where sustainable behavior feels practical and socially meaningful.
Small Steps Create Big Change
“Small steps matter a lot. Taking that small step leads to a bigger impact in everybody’s life.”— Dr. Oluseye Oludoye
Having worked with waste management systems in both Thailand and the United Kingdom, Dr. Oludoye has observed differences in policies, infrastructure, and available resources. While the UK benefits from stronger enforcement and more established systems, Thailand continues to make steady progress in expanding its environmental initiatives.
Despite these differences, one finding remains universal: young people in both countries share the same willingness to make a positive environmental impact. This reinforces his belief that meaningful change begins not with sweeping reforms, but with simple actions that anyone can take.
Whether it is carrying a reusable container, sorting waste correctly, joining a recycling program, or participating in student-led environmental campaigns, small individual actions can create a lasting collective impact. Universities, he adds, can help accelerate this change by empowering students to lead sustainability initiatives and inspire their peers.
Chula: A Launchpad for Future Leaders
Dr. Oludoye credits Chulalongkorn University as the place that shaped both his academic journey and his approach to solving complex environmental challenges.
Drawn to Chula’s internationally recognized program in Hazardous Substances and Environmental Management, he found an environment that encouraged him to bridge science with social sciences—an interdisciplinary perspective that continues to define his work today.
“Chula has been the pillar and the launchpad of my academic career,” he reflects. “It built the foundation for everything I have achieved.”
Equally important was the mentorship he received from faculty members who guided his development as a researcher. Their support reinforced a lesson he now carries into his own work: future leaders flourish when they are given opportunities, encouragement, and an environment where they can grow.
His message to universities is clear: supporting future leaders is not only about providing knowledge. It is about creating spaces where students can experiment, collaborate, and discover that even the smallest actions can inspire broader change.
Because the journey toward sustainability does not begin with perfection—it begins with one person choosing to take the first step.
