Green Long March 2009: Youth-Powered Energy Solutions

BEIJING, CHINA – Student volunteers from the "Green Long March" environmental movement launched a national youth action campaign to support China's targets for reducing energy consumption and increasing renewable energy use today.

Over 8,000 youth environmentalists and their supporters gathered at Beijing Forestry University for the launch of the 2009 Green Long March, which featured performances and speeches by government officials, environmental experts and student leaders.

"We want to mobilize students to improve energy efficiency and to work with communities on alternative energy projects," says 21-year-old Green Long March student leader Tong Yu of Beijing Forestry University. "The Green Long March hopes to inspire youth across China to get involved in solving the climate crisis."

Organized by the Beijing Forestry University and NGO Future Generations China, the Green Long March is China’s annual movement of youth-led environmental action. Students from over 60 partner universities participate in year-round programs, including a nationwide summer awareness campaign that spans 17 provinces.

"Through the Green Long March, students across China are learning about energy issues and urging quick action to reduce energy consumption," says Yu Jishun, Secretary General of the Beijing Forestry University Youth League.

The 2009 Green Long March focuses on China’s energy goals for 2010: reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20 percent and increasing the use of renewable energy to 10 percent of total consumption.

Student projects include leading campus-based green energy audits, supporting a biogas demonstration village in Guangdong Province, and coordinating the construction of an energy-efficient water filter in an earthquake-affected village in Sichuan Province.

"Green Long March volunteers are promoting creative energy solutions," says Frances Fremont-Smith, the Executive Director of Future Generations China. "They are building a greener, healthier and more prosperous China one action at a time."

Dr. Yang Fuqiang, one of China's leading climate change scientists, says youth participation is crucial to solving the climate crisis.

"We need the long-term work of several generations," says Yang, who has researched energy and environmental issues for over three decades with organizations including the Energy Research Institute of the State Planning Commission and as a fellow of the World Bank. "Youth actions like the Green Long March are our hope to win the battles."

Contact

Joanna Wong, Future Generations/CHINA Communications Manager
jwong.glm@gmail.com
Mobile: 15810708207
More information at: http://www.greenlongmarch.org

 

About our partners

The Founding Partner of the Green Long March is Goldman Sachs, a leading global financial services firm that has supported the program since 2007. To date, Goldman Sachs has invested over 2.5 billion in clean technology such as renewable energy and energy efficiency projects around the world. The Green Long March would not be possible without the support of the following socially-responsible and environmentally-conscious companies: Gold Level Sponsors Swire Pacific Limited and Suzlon Energy, Silver Level Sponsor ZeShan Foundation, and Sustainable Bronze Sponsor Arcandor AG.