Combating Climate Change: China Y’s Actions

Last Updated (Monday, 29 May 2023 16:16)

China YMCA and YWCA have taken small but meaningful steps to combat climate change by following the motto "think globally and act locally" from Earth Hour on 25th March 2023, to Earth Day on 22nd April, 2023. NCY China responded to APAY's 29-Days of Climate Action campaign and encouraged local YMCAs and YWCAs to take action. Local Ys promoted and amplified the program by organising various thematic activities, completing challenges, posting on social media, mobilizing members and volunteers, and integrating environment-friendly concepts when designing social services. Indeed, as the saying goes, tiny drops of water make a mighty ocean. By sparking small but lasting changes, we can combine our individual creative efforts to promote a low-carbon lifestyle and shoulder more responsibility for global citizenship.

Beijing YMCA

On 25th March, Beijing YMCA advocated the Earth Hour concept and program via WeChat.

On 20th April, Beijing YMCA staff joined a hiking and garbage sorting program in Xiangshan Park to take care of Mother Earth with tiny acts.

Beijing YWCA

From 25th March to 22nd April, Beijing YWCA organized a 29-day climate action challenge and promoted a low-carbon lifestyle. More than 2,700 members and volunteers participated in the challenge.

Participants reported their daily acts of adaptation to climate change via an app, from turning lights off for an hour to picking up garbage, hiking, watching videos on ways to reduce waste, and so on.

Tianjin YMCA

Tianjin YMCA encouraged members and volunteers to participate in the 29-day climate action challenge. Participants practised climate actions following themes such as vegetarianism, no-plastic, low-carbon, low-water, zero waste, recycling and buy local.

Tianjin YWCA

Tianjin YWCA launched the 29-day Climate Action Challenge and organized staff and members to adopt vegan diets on Mondays and cultivate a low-carbon lifestyle.

Shanghai YMCA/YWCA

On 22nd April, Shanghai YMCA and YWCA conducted an Earth Day climate action activity. Five groups, composed of forty members and volunteers together with their families, walked past classic buildings in Shanghai, learned about environmental protection knowledge, and practised a low-carbon lifestyle through acts.

In Shanghai YMCA local centres, thematic climate actions targeted different groups. These included recycling and upcycling programs for the elderly at nursing homes, vegetarian diet cooking for students, and handicraft painting for children with autism.

Guangzhou YMCA

The carbon footprint and water footprint were discussed a lot by Guangzhou YMCA staff during this period. They also planned various climate actions for youth such as advocacy, training, handicrafts, sports, volunteering, etc.

On 8th April, more than 20 youths took public transportation to South China Botanical Garden to embrace nature.

Guangzhou YMCA staff and volunteers played frisbee on one Saturday in April, introducing new sports to the community.

On 25th March, more than 50 volunteers from Guangzhou YMCA distributed leaflets to community residents to introduce climate actions and concepts. They also picked up rubbish along the road and assorted shared bikes in designated parking areas.

Guanghou YWCA

Guangzhou YWCA took climate action from 25th March to 22nd April by organizing lectures and scientific experiments for primary school students. Those kids showed interest in watching videos about plastic pollution, and their awareness of saving energy and protecting the earth was highly enhanced.

Wuhan YMCA

Wuhan YMCA cooperated with local communities and encouraged volunteers and members to take climate action. They picked up garbage in public areas, cleaned streets, and popularized knowledge of environmental protection in local communities.

 Wuhan YWCA

Wuhan YWCA initiated a climate action proposal to all staff, board members and volunteers. They started with small, simple practices such as cycling to work, turning off lights for an hour, avoiding plastic usage, etc.

On 19th April, Wuhan YWCA invited board members, volunteers, and community residents to participate in a hike. The hike lasted three hours, during which participants picked up garbage while enjoying the nature scenery.

Chengdu YMCA\Chengdu YWCA

From 25th March to 22nd April, 2023, Chengdu YMCA launched the 29-Day Climate Action Challenge.

On 22nd April, 2023, various activities were carried out such as environmental bag DIY, English Club themed on environment protection, environmental Eco craft basket making.

Xi’an YMCA

On 15th April, Xi’an YMCA organized a visit to Qinling National Botanical Garden for 29 primary school students. Coming close to nature and observing various plants educated children about how important environmental sustainability was from an early age.

Xi’an YWCA

On 1st April, Xi’an YWCA held a youth volunteer training activity for ‘Zero Waste Green Action Project’. Twenty volunteers participated in the training, which included group discussion, action plans and designing, among other activities.

Hangzhou YMCA

More than 200 staff, members, and volunteers from Hangzhou YMCA participated in the 29-Day Climate Action Challenge. During this period, participants organized programs about reducing water footprints, introducing environmental protection concepts, and promoting green development.

Hangzhou YWCA

From 25th March to 22nd April, Hangzhou YWCA organized the 29-Day Climate Action Challenge and carried out six various activities on environmental protection among members, volunteers, college students, the elderly, social workers, etc.

Healthy Diet

On 27th March, Hangzhou YWCA held a membership activity near the West Lake. Since it was Monday, all the members were encouraged to take climate action by practicing a vegetarian diet. The activity also included introduction of tips on energy saving, etc.

Lecture on environment protection

From 19th April to 21st April, Hangzhou YWCA held a thematic lecture on water protection and Earth Day introduction. They also organized a street cleaning activity and prepared an upcycling program for the elderly. More than 300 individuals participated, and the program received positive feedbacks from participants. By sparking small lasting changes, Hangzhou Y aims to help more citizens assume civic responsibility and remain committed to environment protection.

Contributed By NCY China