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'Green' thinkers save environment
It is said that our external environment is a mirror of our interior self. When the two match, there is harmony and life can be enjoyed in a green and healthy environment. Beijing began a campaign to create such an environment on Saturday, part of a nationwide environmental protection effort to establish "green communities. The event coincided with World Environment Day on June 5. Instead of focusing on environmental protection on an entire nation, the green community campaign focuses on home and neighborhoods. How can communities build an environmentally benign living environment that doesn't contribute to the desecration of the planet? Organizing a community to take action at the household level is a powerful approach to environmental improvement, officials say, at the smallest scale possible to mobilize resources needed for a major initiative. "Residents are the main part of the campaign and they will help to build sustainable communities through activities that conserve resources, prevent pollution and protect green space and the natural ecological process," said Xie Zhenhua, director of the State Environmental Protection Administration. As the world's top consumer of electrical household appliances, China has at least 120 million refrigerators, 170 million washing machines, 400 million TV sets and 16 million computers in use, according to the China Household Electrical Appliance Institute. Experts said that proper handling of waste materials, such as reusing or disposing of them properly, constitutes an important part of the country's efforts to preserve energy and protect the environment. For Ji Lin, vice-mayor of Beijing, the campaign is more like part of the preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games since "it can raise people's awareness of environmental protection and encourage public participation in related activities to make a better environment in 2008." "A green community helps most of us feel personally connected and capable of direct, meaningful participation in the big concept of environmental protection," said Peng Longhui, 25, a high school English teacher. The campaign is also being hailed by a large number of elder housewives who have volunteered to help their communities. "Though I cannot read or write, I can understand what green means; green means health, means a better life and I like it," said Deng Youlan, 64, who lives in west Beijing. |
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