By Ella Doeringer and Saraswati Widastra

At Green School Bali, sustainability is more than a daily practice—it’s a movement. From tree planting and community clean-ups to art projects with purpose, students are leading the way to inspire meaningful change and unite their community in protecting the planet.

We are Ella Doeringer and Saraswati Widastra, high school students at Green School Bali and passionate advocates for environmental action. This year, we took the lead in running sustainability-focused workshops. Ella launched "Trash to Treasure", using creative expression to address waste management. While Saras led cooking classes that highlighted traditional Indonesian dishes made with fresh, locally grown ingredients.

“It’s not art until your fingers are dirty,” says Ella. For her, art is a tool for connection and change—linking people to both environmental challenges and their solutions. She has led mural projects and organised fundraisers supporting art initiatives for orphans in Bali and Lombok. Her “Transforming Trash” exhibitions help raise awareness about pollution and generate support for environmental causes.

Ella also helped establish KemBali, a recycling centre that serves both the school and the wider community. More than a functional space, it’s filled with student-created artwork, including bottle-cap murals and a striking mosaic dragon made from waste. KemBali has become a space for education and inspiration, encouraging a culture of recycling and waste reduction.

Saras’ journey began in her backyard with Green School’s "Seed to Table" class. That early spark grew into the “Cycle of Food” concept—an initiative that integrates gardening, cooking, and sustainability into school curricula. By working with local schools, Saras helped incorporate this concept into Indonesia’s "Merdeka Belajar" curriculum, encouraging students to adopt mindful consumption and reduce food waste.

Blending traditional knowledge with modern tools, Saras’ classes empower students to make sustainable choices and recognise the value of seasonal, local produce. Her efforts highlight the important role education plays in creating lasting environmental change.

In 2017, Green School Bali was awarded the Zayed Sustainability Prize, a recognition of their student-led efforts to drive environmental innovation and community impact.
Our stories show that when young people are given the tools to lead, passion can become purpose. Anyone can be a changemaker—the key is to start with what you care about and take it from there. Because in the end, every small action adds up.