Environmental awareness grows in China

Across China, ordinary people are becoming more and more aware of the issue of environmental protection. Many are now taking the initiative to monitor and protect the environment at a grassroots level. In Beijing, several groups of volunteers are helping NGOs carry out independent assessments of the capital's air quality.

Pollution affects all of us.

Here in Beijing, Chen Xiaoshan regularly takes her son and his friend to monitor the capital's air quality. It's something that an increasing number of Chinese people are doing, amid concern over the very air they breathe. Here on the bustling roads, it's easy to see how vehicle emissions pose a major threat. Ms Chen and the children are curious about the exact density of the small air particles. One press of the button and the results appear in less than a minute.

They're joined by He Xiaoxia, a volunteer from a non-profit NGO. The NGO provides the equipment, and He Xiaoxia helps them read the data. Back home, they discuss how their own normal daily activities can impact on the environment.

Chen Xiaoshan, Beijing resident, "Environmental protection is everyone's responsibility. But improving the quality of the environment will be a long-term task. So I want to bring my son and his friend to assess the air quality, and give them a better environmental awareness."

Zhang Jichen, Beijing resident, said, "We use the equipment to monitor the level of environmental pollution. We want to see a blue sky in Beijing and breathe fresh air everyday."

Guan Tingwei, Beijing resident, "I think we should all drive cars less and travel more by public bus. We should not waste electricity and water. A low-carbon life style should be promoted to better protect the environment."

The NGOs play an important role in solving technical environmental issues. Volunteers help the public get involved in environmental protection.

He Xiaoxia, Director of Green Beagle Institute, said, "We provide these devices to help the public to make reliable assessments. It allows them to know more about their environment. All this is free. We also have equipment to monitor noise and magnetic fields. We want to motivate public awareness and promote better protection of the environment."

Ma Jun is one of China's leading environmentalists. He's won many eco-awards, and was named as one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2006. He says environmental NGOs have a lot of public support behind them.

Ma Jun, Director of Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs, said, "The biggest source of our power, you know, we don't have administrative power, we don't have that much money. But what we have is the moral support from the society and public. Because I think for environmental protection, there is such a consensus."

Like Ms Chen's family, many Chinese people have become acutely aware of the importance of environmental protection. People are becoming more concerned about information transparency, identification of polluters, and the enforcement of environmental laws.Non-profit NGOs are also playing their part in helping to promote sustainable development. In a campaign to establish decision-making process, public participation is playing a more significant role than ever before.