Sarawak Eco Warriors president Mark Liao has become the first East Malaysian named to NAAEE’s prestigious EE 30 Under 30 — a milestone that amplifies Sarawak’s youth-led environmental movement on the global stage.
Mark Liao makes history on the world stage
When a young Sarawakian set out to teach children about the forests, rivers, and wildlife around them, he never imagined his efforts would propel him onto the global stage.
Today, Mark Liao — an environmental educator shaped by the land he calls home — stands among the world’s most promising young changemakers, proving that impactful conservation leadership can rise from the heart of Borneo.
The president of Sarawak Eco Warriors has been selected by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) for its tenth class of the Environmental Education 30 Under 30 (EE 30 Under 30), earning recognition as the first East Malaysian to receive this honour.
The EE 30 Under 30 programme celebrates young leaders who are using education to spark environmental action and strengthen community resilience.
Each year, NAAEE identifies 30 exceptional individuals under the age of 30 whose creativity, innovation, and influence are shaping the global sustainability landscape.
Over the years, several Malaysians have been named among the honourees, reflecting the nation’s expanding presence in environmental education.
Liao’s selection this year shines a spotlight on Sarawak, a region celebrated for its rich biodiversity and Indigenous heritage, yet often underrepresented in international discourse.
Grounded in Sarawak’s ecological, cultural identity
Reflecting on this recognition, Liao told Sarawak Tribune that his work is deeply rooted in Sarawak’s unique ecological and cultural identity.
“Sarawak is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, and that means we carry both privilege and responsibility.
“We live surrounded by rainforests, rivers, and incredible wildlife, and it is our responsibility to ensure that future generations grow up understanding and valuing this connection with nature,” he said.
He stressed that awareness is the foundation of lasting conservation: people cannot appreciate what they do not understand, and without appreciation, protection becomes impossible.
For him, awareness is where every act of conservation begins.
Building youth leaders through experiential learning
Liao contributes to the global EE 30 Under 30 network through youth-led environmental education programmes developed by Sarawak Eco Warriors, the organisation he has led since 2017.
The group focuses on empowering young people across Sarawak to learn about local ecosystems and become advocates in their own communities.
Earlier in 2025, he completed a certification in Accelerated Learning, a teaching approach that integrates somatic, visual, auditory, and thinking-based methods.
This pedagogy is now embedded in all workshops, school engagements, and community programmes delivered by Sarawak Eco Warriors, making environmental learning more inclusive and impactful.
“The goal is to make learning about the environment not just educational but experiential. Something participants can feel in their bodies, see with their own eyes, hear in their surroundings, and reflect on critically,” he explained.
One of the organisation’s core missions is to develop educational materials that speak to the realities of Sarawak’s ecosystems.
Liao stressed that while students are often aware of global environmental icons such as the Amazon rainforest or melting polar ice, very few recognise the ecological wonders at their doorsteps.
“When we run programmes with children, we often hear them talk about saving places far away. But many have never realised that Sarawak itself holds some of the most extraordinary biodiversity on Earth.
“If they don’t see what’s worth protecting here, how can they appreciate what’s at stake?” he pointed out.
This mission is now driving the organisation’s next major initiative, the Wild Borneo Education Programme, which will begin launching across schools in 2026.
The programme will introduce hands-on modules that are culturally relevant to help students connect global environmental challenges with local contexts.
Through these resources, Sarawak Eco Warriors seeks to make environmental education more relevant to identity, livelihood, and community wellbeing.
“We want environmental learning to feel personal. When students understand how their local rivers, forests, and wildlife sustain life around them, environmental protection becomes more than a subject; it becomes part of who they are,” he shared.
He also highlighted the critical support that partners have provided over the years.
Organisations such as Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Hanns Seidel Stiftung, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), and the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) have been instrumental in enabling Sarawak Eco Warriors to expand its reach and strengthen its efforts.
Looking ahead, the organisation’s priority is securing long-term partnerships to sustain and scale the Wild Borneo Education Programme, ensuring it reaches rural and underserved communities throughout Sarawak, where environmental resources and enrichment opportunities remain limited.
Joining a global network of environmental innovators
As honourees of EE 30 Under 30, young leaders gain access to an international community of innovators and benefit from networking, professional development, and global recognition.
The Class of 2025 joins a network of 301 leaders from 57 countries, all working toward a more resilient, sustainable planet.
The programme is powered by NAAEE, the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP), and the Sam and Mary Lawrence Foundation, with additional support from the Environmental Stewardship Fund, a fund of the Tides Foundation.
Reflecting on the purpose behind this global network, NAAEE executive director Judy Braus shared, “EE 30 Under 30 is about recognising achievement and investing in the future.
“We are honoured to celebrate young people working around the world to solve environmental issues in real time in their communities. Their work reminds us that environmental education is a catalyst for tangible change.”
For Liao and his team, this recognition is a call to go further, building environmental literacy across Sarawak and inspiring youth to take meaningful action.
“This achievement gives us a reason to push further. It motivates us to reach more youth and nurture the next generation of environmental leaders in Sarawak and beyond.
“Environmental education is not about one person or one organisation doing everything. It’s about everyone doing something, no matter how small. When we each play our part, the collective impact becomes transformative,” he said.
This recognition carries both pride and purpose, signalling the steady rise of Sarawak’s youth movement — one driven by creativity, collaboration, and an unwavering love for the land they come from.
For Liao, the honour is more than a personal milestone; it underscores what becomes possible when young people are trusted, supported, and empowered to lead.
His work proves that environmental education is not merely about knowledge but about awakening a generation to care deeply for the world around them.
And as Sarawak’s forests, rivers, and wildlife face mounting pressures, leaders like Liao offer a powerful truth: the future of conservation is already taking shape — built by young people who aren’t waiting for change but boldly creating it.
Meanwhile, for readers who wish to explore the stories behind this year’s honourees, Liao’s full EE 30 Under 30 profile is available on the NAAEE website, alongside the complete Class of 2025 list.
