There are many environmental and related human rights problems in Karen State, including serious deforestation, mining pollution and displacement, a host of issues relating to large hydropower projects, large scale agricultural plantations (such as oil palm and rubber that reduce land for food production), declining soil fertility and unsustainable agriculture practices, wildlife under threat, and more. However very little information is available about them to local communities and Karen communities overseas or others.
The Environmental Media Program includes a variety of journalistic and participatory research activities intended to highlight local people’s concerns and activities. Its advocacy is primarily aimed at Karen leaders and local communities to increase their understanding about environmental problems and solutions, to encourage them to take action and to support local initiatives.
The environmental media activities include producing the ‘Thulei Kawwei’ magazine, cartoon booklet for children, pamphlets posters, organizational brochures and T-shirts. It also collaborates on video documentation projects, and conducts journalism trainings for local journalists.
One of the most effective media activities is Thulei Kawwei magazine publication and distributional. Thulei Kawwei magazine is a Karen language magazine that aims to provide a forum for local people to express their concerns, give suggestions on existing and possible solutions to stop further environmental degradation, and to increase understanding of global, regional, national and local environmental issues and how they affect local people’s lives, livelihoods and future. Much of the information and news is collected from local people inside Karen State, though some is drawn from staff research and insights. Most articles are contributed by Karen writers, a few contributed by volunteers. The magazine is produced twice a year and distributed inside Karen state, in the refugee camps along the Thai Burma border, to NGOs, and to overseas Karen communities. And every issue focuses on a particular theme. Recent issues have covered the impact of rubber plantations, traditional medicine, logging, mining and community forests.
There are many environmental and related human rights problems in Karen State, including serious deforestation, mining pollution and displacement, a host of issues relating to large hydropower projects, large scale agricultural plantations (such as oil palm and rubber that reduce land for food production), declining soil fertility and unsustainable agriculture practices, wildlife under threat, and more. However very little information is available about them to local communities and Karen communities overseas or others. 
One of the most effective media activities is Thulei Kawwei magazine publication and distributional. Thulei Kawwei magazine is a Karen language magazine that aims to provide a forum for local people to express their concerns, give suggestions on existing and possible solutions to stop further environmental degradation, and to increase understanding of global, regional, national and local environmental issues and how they affect local people’s lives, livelihoods and future. Much of the information and news is collected from local people inside Karen State, though some is drawn from staff research and insights. Most articles are contributed by Karen writers, a few contributed by volunteers. The magazine is produced twice a year and distributed inside Karen state, in the refugee camps along the Thai Burma border, to NGOs, and to overseas Karen communities. And every issue focuses on a particular theme. Recent issues have covered the impact of rubber plantations, traditional medicine, logging, mining and community forests.
