UN Environment honors Saihanba afforestation, Mobike

World
Europe

‍The winners of the 2017 Champions of the Earth award were announced on Tuesday at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.

The three-day event began on Monday.

The awards were given to people in four categories: Political Leadership, Inspiration and Action, Entrepreneurial Vision, and Science and Innovation Since 2005.

It is the UN's highest environmental honor.

Two Chinese organizations – Saihanba afforestation community and Mobike – were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the protection and restoration of the environment, and Wang Wenbiao, chairman of Elion Resources Group is awarded "for a lifetime of leadership in green industry."

Saihanba Forest: From wasteland to tourist attraction

From left, representatives Liu Haiying, Chen Yanxian and Yu Shitao from Saihanba Afforestation Community. /CGTN Photo

China's Saihanba afforestation community was awarded for their outstanding contribution to the restoration of degraded landscapes.

Saihanba Forest stretches along the borders of Hebei Province and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It was a royal hunting ground over 300 years ago, and during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the emperors hunted there almost every year.

Saihanba Forest stretches along the borders of Hebei Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. /Photo via Xinhua‍

After the Qing Dynasty collapsed, the area was turned into a wasteland due to deforestation, wildfires and war. Starting in 1962, China began to restore the vegetation of the area, and over the past 55 years, three generations of forest guards have worked on its preservation.

These forestry workers have overcome extreme living conditions while protecting the landscape. The weather, in particular, can be intense as highest temperature in the area is around 33 degrees Celsius, while the lowest is around -43 degrees Celsius, and some areas are covered in snow for seven months a year, but others are affected by gales and sandstorms.

CGTN Photo

Saihanba Forest spans a total of 94,000 hectares, and at least 73,000 hectares of which are covered with thick forestry. There are over 600 kinds of vascular plants, belonging to 312 genera and 81 families. The forest coverage rate is nearly 80 percent.

Tourism developed in the area recently, and a wetland park of 1,000,000 square meters has been established. The park is paved with 5,000 meters of boardwalk and has eight tourist attractions.

Annually, over 500,000 tourists visit the area, bringing in 40 million yuan (six million US dollars).

Mobike: Industrial pioneer in environment protection

CGTN Photo

The booming bike-sharing industry has provided a popular commuting method to people in China, as well as providing a practical solution to the air pollution problem.

Founded in 2015, the orange bike company soon gained popularity as its dockless bicycles satisfy citizens’ need for convenient, green and affordable means of commuting.

Erik Solheim (L), UN Environment Executive Director and Hu Weiwei (R), founder of Mobike, ride on Mobikes in Nairobi, Kenya, December 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

As of December 2017, Mobike has expanded its service to over 200 cities in 12 countries, with over 30 million trips completed every day by 200 million registered users. Its global travel distance has surpassed 18.2 billion kilometers, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 4.4 million tons.

Mobike represents technology that is changing the world, said Erik Solheim, UN Environment Executive Director, hoping to “bring green travel and environmental protection ideas to more countries and cities through cooperation with Mobike.”

Wang Wenbiao: 'Son of the Desert'

CGTN Photo

Better known in China as the “Son of the Desert,” Wang Wenbiao, chairman of Elion Resources Group, was announced as the receiver of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the 2017 Champions of the Earth for his contribution in the green industry.

Wang bought the Hangjinqi Saltworks in the middle of China's Kubuqi desert in 1988. By working with local communities and the government, Wang's project has greened around two-thirds of the desert and created more job opportunities for local communities.

UN Environment research estimated the project has a net value in ecosystem services of 1.8 billion US dollars over 50 years.