The modernization of harmony between humanity and nature

A rapport with nature

讲稿1.m4a

讲稿2.m4a

讲稿3.m4a

Dear judges,

When I was 3 or 4, I lived near a steelworks that produced exhaust gas every day. And that was when I got asthma. I remember how my mom always had a blue inhaler called Ventolin ready for me at home, in case I had trouble breathing.

But when I was in middle school, I didn't need that inhaler anymore. Do you know why? It is because of the improvement of the air quality.

My lungs can feel how the air has become cleaner and fresher in the past decade. And the data back me up. According to Clean Air Asia, an international Non-Governmental Organization, China's annual average PM2.5 concentration and sulfur dioxide concentration have fallen by about 56 and 78 percent from 2013 to 2021. How incredible!

I'm not the only one who got benefited from China's environmental protection. It goes far beyond air quality. It is about the whole nature. Over the past two decades, China's newly added vegetation reached about one quarter of the global total increase, ranking the first worldwide. Today, there are more than 2.7 thousand nature reserves nationwide, covering 18 percent of national land area and protecting about 90 percent of the country's plants and wild animals.

“Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” said President Xi. This philosophy for green development is changing the country. From new energy vehicles to bike-sharing, low-carbon lifestyles are becoming popular among Chinese people.

Nowadays in our country, natural landscape can be seen everywhere. As the poem goes, “a fine day sees the splendid sunset glow, gently the autumn wind continues to blow, down into the valley the streams flow.” This is the nature we have missed for so long, and now it’s finally here. This is our way of building a modern society that lives in harmony with nature. This is a rapport with nature. And this is our Chinese dream. Thank you!

Statistic & Facts

• Over the past two decades, China's newly added vegetation reached about one quarter of the global total increase, ranking the first worldwide.

Possible QAs

1. What are some of the measures that China has taken to improve its air quality?

   Our government has been taking various measures to solves this problem.

   • It expands public transportation coverage, like metro and bus. China has increased its metro total mileage by 17 times in 14 years.
   • It encourages clean energy vehicles. In 2022, China’s new energy vehicles accounted for one quarter of the market. In addition, Elon Musk met with Chinese foreign minister in May this year, showing a promising future of China’s electric vehicle industry.
   • It launches campaigns to raise public awareness. For instance, it has integrated contents of environmental protection into school curriculum of all grades.
   • It cooperates with other countries to address trans-boundary environmental problems, like the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations.
   • GPT

2. What are some of the global or regional cooperation initiatives that China participates in or supports for environmental issues?

   Some of the global or regional cooperation initiatives that China participates in or supports for environmental issues are:

   • The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement that sets legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by industrialized countries and transition economies. It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan in 1997 and entered into force in 2005. It also created market mechanisms to help the parties achieve their emission reduction goals at lower costs.
   • the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement, which aim to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
   • the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Aichi Targets, which aim to conserve biodiversity and ensure its sustainable use; the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which aims to phase out ozone-depleting substances.
   • the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to promote connectivity and cooperation among countries along the ancient Silk Road routes.
   • the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which aims to provide financing for infrastructure projects that are environmentally and socially sustainable.
   • the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC), which aims to strengthen partnership and cooperation between China and African countries on various fields including environmental protection.
   • the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), which aims to enhance cooperation among countries along the Mekong River on water resources management and ecological conservation.

3. How did your asthma affect your daily life and activities?

   I had to avoid intense exercise, cold air, dust, smoke, and other triggers that could cause an asthma attack. I also had to carry an inhaler with me at all times.

4. What is PM2.5 and sulfur dioxide concentration in the air?

   PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which can enter deep into the lungs and cause health problems.

   Sulfur dioxide is a gas that is produced by burning fossil fuels, especially coal, which can cause acid rain and diseases.

5. What are some of the benefits of having more vegetation and nature reserves?

   It can enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services; reduce soil erosion and desertification; improve water quality and quantity.