NGOs' green efforts

About 30 years ago, environmental protection was not personal or government priority in China but whose story says average people have been able to make a difference?

Fourteen years have passed since the first Chinese environmental NGO, Friend of Nature, was set up in 1994.

To date there are 3,539 environmental NGOs fighting for bluer skies, cleaner water and a better life for every Chinese.

On Children's Day in 2008, Chen Xiaoyi, a project manager of the Women and Environment Group under the China-Canada Cleaner Production Program, gave a brilliant gift to her child and also many others.

Through the constant efforts of Chen and her colleagues, a series of green education text books for pre-school children were published to teach them to love the nature and protect the environment.

In 2004, the Beijing-based Global Village along with other five NGOs launched the 26C campaign, asking people turn the temperature of air conditioners to no lower than 26C in summer.

In 2007, the State Council issued a circular, stipulating that the temperature of all China's air-conditioned public places should be kept at no lower than 26C in summer, and no higher than 20C in winter.

Thus a public campaign became a government compulsory regulation.

Some NGOs initiated a Plastic Bag Campaign that was also adopted by the government and since June 1, 2008 China has banned free plastic bags in stores across the country.

Due to the efforts of NGOs some of the controversial decisions by local governments have been reviewed, revised and even cancelled. In the name of the public, NGO members stand up to express people's views and protect people's rights.

(China Daily Decembe 29, 2008)