Young leaders drive environmental change

A new generation of Chinese is stepping off the beaten path to protect deserts, birds and biodiversity — turning environmental ideals into everyday action

- GUI QIAN

Sheng Tiancheng observes and photographs migratory birds in Yancheng. Jiangsu province. Wildlife images captured by Sheng featuring various species. PHOTOS PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Standing on a sand dune in Minqin county, Gansu province, Zhong Lin, 27, gazed into the distance at rows of newly planted saxaul saplings.

“Turning a desert into an oasis might not be very realistic, but we can certainly protect the existing oases,” he said.

In 2021 Zhong returned to his hometown from Lanzhou, the provincial capital, to start a tree-planting business. Since then he has become a key figure in local efforts to combat desertification.

His inspiration came from Minqin's long history of battling encroaching sands.

“My hometown has been fighting desertification since the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, making it one of the earliest places in China to do so,” he said. “Today it's up to us young people to take up the baton.”

Zhong's path reflects a broader trend among young people who are breaking away from traditional career expectations. Instead of taking jobs in big cities, some are heading to deserts, wetlands and rural areas, turning environmental protection into both a mission and a livelihood.

Of course these choices come with challenges. “There was a lot of financial pressure,” Zhong said. “My parents didn’t understand, and my friends thought I was being silly.”

The work itself is tough, too. After a sandstorm in March only a few dozen of the 500 newly planted saxaul trees survived.

However, Zhong is no quitter. In 2022 he started a social media account showing short videos of his daily planting work. The account drew a lot of attention.