Grasslands Route in Baotou Launches Regional Environmental ActionAugust 3, 2009

On the afternoon of July 27, a team of six from Beijing Forestry University and three Future Generations China staff teamed up with local GLM volunteers at Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology to launch the 2009 Grasslands Route. The route began with an Opening Ceremony and a series of environmental campaigns and research on renewable energies. GLM volunteers listened to speeches from local environmental experts Mr. Ding and Mrs. Feng, both of whom work for the Baotou Environmental Protection Bureau. Mr. Ding emphasized the importance of youth in environmental protection efforts, especially in industrial towns like Baotou: home of the Baogang Group, one of China’s largest iron and steel companies.

The following day volunteers came together to organize a campaign in one of the city's most popular downtown parks, Bayi Gongyuan. Informational displays, the '09 Grasslands Route map, and the carbon cube designed by 350.org artist, Kevin Buckland, attracted a steady flow of passers-by for the length of the two and a half hour event.

This year’s route maps, handsomely designed by the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, allow locals to share knowledge of renewable energies currently being used in their communities with the use of stickers, sketches and brief descriptions. The maps are five meters in length and include towns and small villages that are visited by GLM volunteers along their routes. “These maps are allowing people to describe and understand their communities’ situations regarding energy in a new and different way: visually,” said local volunteer Yuan Xiaoyong. The route maps will be used to organize future GLM-related activities and further research on renewable energies in local regions across China.

Towards the close of the campaign, one woman admitted that she was moved to tears as the volunteers marched through the park rallying around their slogan: Green Long March, Save Energy, Reduce Emissions! "As [they] marched into the square I was touched by their passion and spirit," she said. Local student volunteers acknowledge that while there’s a long way to go in terms of environmental efforts in their region, Baotou residents are generally very admirative of their work and enthusiastic to participate in the greening of their surroundings.

Event Photos:

GLM volunteers from Beijing and local university gather for a photo


Local student volunteer at awareness campaign at Bayi Gongyuan


Mr. Ding shares knowledge of renewable energies used locally on Grasslands Route map


Local student leader, Liu Shiyi, explains meaning behind 350 and carbon cube


Mrs. Feng at Opening Ceremony