Wang Lina is secretary-general of Nanjing Dadi Cultural Development Exchange Center, also known as Jiangsu Friends of Green Environment. The organization adheres to the philosophy that people should respect, protect and adapt to nature. With more than 1,000 volunteers, the organization has helped build and develop green communities, in Jiangsu, and it has helped promote sustainable consumption, ecological conservation of the Yangtze River, and the building of ecological cultures in schools. 

"Everyone has a duty to do something to improve the ecological environment. Once you participate in an environmental-protection activity, you will realize that everyone should live a green life," Wang says. 

When Jiangsu Friends of Green Environment began promoting development of green communities, its workers discovered many families lacked awareness of environmental protection. 

Wang and her team thought children were the focus of their families, and if children began living a green, low-carbon lifestyle, their families would join them in creating a green living environment. 

So, the organization conducted various activities that involved children, including events that focused on the use of clean energy, sorting garbage, and beautifying the environment. During the activities that promoted recycling, many of the children exchanged their toys and books with other children. 

Since 2004, Jiangsu Friends of Green Environment has organized the annual Jiangsu Beautiful Environment Action. The campaign encourages students, from universities and primary and secondary schools, to design and implement environmental-protection programs, by integrating the resources of their families, schools and communities. Outstanding programs in the campaign have been awarded. 

The campaign has become an important part of ecological-civilization education — and the social practices — of students in Jiangsu. "This year, the campaign has also been implemented in kindergartens," says Wang. 

In September 2023, Jiangsu Friends of Green Environment organized an event in a primary school in Suzhou, a city in Jiangsu Province, to promote a campusbased, ecological-culture exchange. Some experts gave lectures, and teachers shared their experiences in ecological-civilization education. Students and teachers, from several schools across the province, attended the event through livestreaming.

Jiangsu Friends of Green Environment has participated in several children-oriented, public-welfare projects involving environmental protection. It has also cooperated with government departments, social organizations and colleges in advancing ecological progress. 

Wang says whenever she and her team organize activities in schools, they are shocked by the children's creativity and passion. She recalls how a students' group in Sihong, a county in Jiangsu, invented a device used in toilets that can save about two tons of water annually. 

She became emotional when she learned the students carefully documented data from their experiments, every day, as they were building and testing the device. 

During the past 20 years, Wang has witnessed the growth of many children who have participated in environmental-protection activities. Some of the participants in the first Jiangsu Beautiful Environment Action have grown up to work full-time in environmental protection. 

One of those students now works with the UN Environment Programme. "We hope systematic ecological-civilization education will be provided and, with the joint efforts of families, schools and society, more children will become involved. We also hope children's ecological literacy will be enhanced, and they will contribute to ecological progress through innovation and social practices," says Wang. 

Wang hopes people will join her organization in building a beautiful home — for all.

Photos from Interviewee 

(Women of China English Monthly June 2024)

Editor: Wang Shasha