Activists gain backing in push for cleanup

BEIJING — Seeing the trees disappear and the air become toxic was bad enough. But when the waterfront of his childhood dried up, a Beijing taxi driver turned into a committed environmentalist.

Liu Zhenxiang, 49, grew up near the shore of Miyun Reservoir, the main source of drinking water for China's capital. Industry, agriculture and rising consumption have drained Miyun to dangerously low levels. Once less than a mile from his house, the water's edge has receded 18 miles, he said.

So Liu is helping organize local activities aimed at environmental education, including a daylong walk along a nearby river to measure pollution. "Every person on Earth has to breathe this air," he said. "Even if you're the president, you can't breathe your own air."

Liu is part of a small but growing movement of people speaking out against environmental destruction in China. Some activists risk jail and harassment from government officials wary of any perceived threat to their authority. But their voices and actions are putting more pressure on the country to clean up.

Plans to build a chemical plant in the seaside city of Xiamen were halted after a huge march through the city and a virtual protest in which mobile-phone users sent a reported 1 million text messages criticizing the project.

Wen Bo, one of the earliest grassroots activists, created the China Green Student Forum in 1995, now a network of more than 100 environmental groups with an active online community. He also works with the U.S.-based Global Greengrants Fund to make small grants supporting environmental projects throughout China.

"I was really lucky to have been born in a time when I can enjoy a healthy environment, with blue skies and white clouds every day," said Wen, 35.

Now with so much pollution, he said, he worries about the impact on the younger generation. "If they've never seen stars, how can you expect them to dream to be an astronomer?"

Most environmental problems are linked to corruption and lack of accountability, Wen says. "If we can empower people, they will be able to hold local government accountable."

Ge Yun, 33, said she got involved in environmental issues to do something more rewarding and worthwhile than working for a company or the government.

She heads the Xinjiang Conservation Fund, which researches animal populations in China's far northwest with grants from Seattle-based Snow Leopard Trust. The group also studies how to help local communities avoid poaching and damage to ecosystems.

Ge sees awareness growing in China as "the general public starts to realize and experience the link between the environment and daily life."

Zhen Jinzhu, 25, an aspiring lawyer and environmental activist, agreed.

"Life is not just about money."

— Kristi Heim