Small Steps, Big Impact
In light of the growing frequency of extreme weather events, the imperative for climate action has become more pressing. However, the issue of environmental protection continues to present a significant challenge in the context of public opinion. There remains a perception among many people that the climate is an issue that is solely the responsibility of governments and big businesses, which tends to diminish the importance of their own involvement.
Even among citizens who are aware of ecological issues and the principles of sustainability, there is still a degree of uncertainty as to what concrete action they can take. It is therefore essential to identify effective methods of raising public awareness and mobilising the public in response to the significant challenges posed by the climate crisis.
With the aim of encouraging Chinese citizens to become actively involved in climate protection, non-governmental organisation Friends of Nature (FON) launched the Linglong Project in 2021. Since then, the project has selected 125 climate activists from nearly 1,000 applicants and provided training to 70 of them to enable them to take concrete action in various sectors. As FON Communications and Brand Director He Miao noted, “It is vital to raise public awareness of the importance of individual climate action, highlighting that even seemingly simple gestures can make a significant contribution.”
Valuable support
Zhang Lei is one of these climate activists. In 2023, she participated in the fourth phase of the Linglong Project. A publisher of children’s books, she identified a gap in knowledge and interest in these subjects among young Chinese people. To bridge the gap, she decided to import and translate a popular science comic strip for teenagers from France, entitled 10 idées reçues sur le climat (10 Preconceived Ideas About the Climate). Her aim is to help young people to understand the issues surrounding climate change, deconstruct misconceptions and encourage them to take an active role in protecting the climate.
However, it was not an easy project to implement. While the book maintains a light-hearted and humorous tone, its content is distinguished by its careful research, based on the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Given their expertise, the authors used such vocabulary and style that made the translation a challenging task for Zhang. Nevertheless, the Linglong Project provided support, awarding her 11,900 yuan ($1,669.9) to translate the book.
Through specialised training, she acquired knowledge about climate change and became familiar with the technical vocabulary specific to this field. This helped her with the translation work. Furthermore, her meetings with climatologists and communication experts, arranged as part of the project, enabled her to tailor the content to the Chinese audience. Despite the fact that climate change is still a relatively marginal subject in China, the support provided by the Linglong Project partners reinforced her belief that her book would find an audience, thereby increasing her determination to publish it.
The book was finally published in April this year, and has since generated significant interest among both specialists and young readers. In this way, Zhang has made a valuable contribution to the environmental education of young people in China.
Truly committed
FON was founded by a group of Chinese intellectuals in Beijing’s Linglong Park on 5 June 1993. It has been at the forefront of environmentalism and sustainable living in China ever since. For over three decades, it has been at the forefront of environmental awareness in China, focusing on key issues such as endangered species conservation. Its work encompasses not only protection but also environmental education, including camps, excursions, teacher training, and awareness campaigns with photographic exhibitions and publications.
Compared to three decades ago, when the organisation first engaged with the public, there has been a notable increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather and climate events. The challenge of climate change is now one of the most significant issues facing humanity, with the potential to reshape environmental priorities. Aware of the scale of this challenge, the organisation has incorporated a crucial mission into its programmes: to raise awareness, support and empower those involved in the fight against climate change. This approach is now central to the organisation’s strategy and operations.
“In light of these considerations, we initiated the Linglong Project in 2021,” He, the brand director, elaborated. “The name refers to the Linglong Park, the birthplace of our organisation. We launched the project to stay focused on our initial commitment and to encourage the emergence of citizen leaders committed to the climate, to better respond to the real challenges associated with climate change,” she added.
Fostering participation
The Linglong Project offers online courses on climate principles, accessible to all applicants. For those selected after interviews, as is the case of Zhang, the project offers comprehensive support. This includes training, mentoring, community support and funding to assist participants in implementing their action plans.
The 125 participants, selected from a variety of backgrounds, have proposed projects covering a wide range of themes, including eco-villages, the circular economy, and food waste management.
One of the participants, Chai Qing, developed a project entitled Nature’s Magic Wand, designed to raise pupils’ awareness of environmental protection through storytelling. With the support of the Linglong Project, she was able to secure a position of teacher at a school in Jinan, Shandong Province.
He Miao stated that FON is firmly convinced that environmental education is of paramount importance in raising awareness, and that this awareness is a crucial factor in fostering citizen participation.
