A Green Revolution in Red China is taking root
on Yellow Earth |
(Mrs. Mei Ng, Director of Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) visited China’s village biogas demonstration project and shared her observation) |
Mrs. Mei Ng |
UN Global 500 Laureate |
Director Friends of the Earth (HK) |
November 2005 |
Yan’an, the cradle of Chinese Revolution will be remembered not only for its historical legacy, but will also be honored for its greening glory. |
From pig waste-into-biogas, Yan’an peasants are turning women power into green power.By retrofitting pig sties, toilets and kitchen stoves, Yan’an women folks have successfully demonstrated animal waste recovery and re-use to generate biogas for cooking and heating.With technical advice and support from local agricultural and energy experts, and regular capacity building by the Shaanxi Mothers Environmental Protection Volunteer Association, Yan’an Baota District villagers have turned from doubters to become proud promoters of a sustainable energy production model. |
They are convinced by the multiple environmental and social benefits of the biogas scheme.They include: reduction of animal waste pollution, sustainable source of energy, minimization of tree cutting and desertification, time saving from firewood gathering, free organic fertilizer from the biogas residue and above it all, general improvement of village public health and hygiene. |
To popularize the biogas technology and demonstration scheme to more rural areas and villages, Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) joined hands with the Shaanxi Mothers Environmental Protection Volunteer Association to launch the “Sunflower Project”. |
Appealing for philanthropic donations to fund basic costs such as pipe laying, concrete well formation, pig sty, toilet and kitchen stove retrofitting, the Sunflower Project aims to subsidize each rural household to kick start the biogas production with matching grant from the local government.On average, $3000-$4000 RMB (US$400-500) is needed for each household. |
In 2005, 170 biogas pilot schemes have been implemented in 5 district villages north of Shaanxi with a donation of HK$260,000 (US$35,000) raised by Friends of the Earth (HK) from Hong Kong. |
Seeing is believing. There are increasing demand and growing interest among rural villagers to participate in the biogas project.There are thousands of village households who deserve help and funding. |
Celebrity-turned-Nature Photographer and Green Ambassador from Hong Kong, Ms Cherie Chung pledged support to the Sunflower Project.At the invitation of the Director of Friends of the Earth (HK) Mrs. Mei Ng, Ms Chung went on a study tour in Yan’an, north of Xian, on October 20-22, 2005. |
After listening to the feedback from the biogas households, Ms Chung and Mrs. Ng inspected the pig sties, the biogas wells, the retrofitted toilets and kitchen stoves.They were enthused by the transformation of village hygiene and quality of life.Above all, the spirit of self-help and women liberation is truly inspiring. |
Ms Chung and Mrs. Ng also met with local district officials who include veterinary and agricultural supervisors as well as women welfare representatives.They assessed the demonstration results and confirmed their long-term commitment and support in response to the growing interest among the villagers. |
During the brief visit, Ms Chung and Mrs. Ng witnessed a village women training workshop organized and presented by Ms Wang Ming Ying, project coordinator of the biogas demonstration projects.Training content include: biodiversity & ecosystem, pollution risks, food chain hazards, clean energy as well as biogas production basics. |
“We are truly grateful to you.We, woman folks, are liberated.No need to spend 3 hours a day to collect firewood!No more dirty kitchen walls!No need to spend money to buy fertilizers.We have more time to spend with our children and family.Of course, more time for ourselves too.”These are the parting words from the women folks at Baotai District, Yan’an. |
Sunflower stands on firm ground.It grows upright and faces the sun.It symbolizes sunshine and hope. |
The Green Revolution in China starts from the toilets and the kitchens.Women folks from the Yellow Earth are happy to show the way. |
Post Visit Conclusion: |
Shaanxi province situated in the arid zone of China suffers from drought, desertification and soil erosion.Tree felling for firewood aggravates |
desertification.Therefore it is environmentally beneficial to promote alternative energy to rural village households in this northern part of the province, which is often referred to as the Yellow Earth. |
Credit goes to Ms Wang Ming-ying of the Shaanxi Mothers Environmental Protection Volunteer Association, who is the coordinator of the Sunflower Project.She has worked tirelessly and professionally to capacity build village women and households.Her sense of purpose and integrity is truly admirable. |
Ms Wang files regular reports on the progress of the biogas project.She also puts strong emphasis on fair selection of participant households and their capacity building.Above all, she exercises firmness on funding expenditure and cost saving.Ms Wang is a responsible and trustworthy partner. |
Mrs. Mei Ng has visited the village biogas demonstration project twice.She visited the DaliCounty in 2004 and the Yan’an BaotaCounty in 2005.She spoke with village women participants and local government representatives.She also inspected pig sties, toilets, kitchens and village households. |
She was encouraged to see the improvement of quality of life and village hygiene.She was equally enthused to witness how women power has been turned into green power.An added value is the mother-and-child mutual support and bonding, which was enhanced during regular environmental workshop training, whereby village women folks and their children attended together. |
Mrs. Mei Ng and Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) believe in the goals and merits of the village biogas project and have become long-term partners with Wang Ming-ying and the Shaanxi Mothers Environmental Protection Volunteer Association in promoting the Sunflower Project to more rural villages and needy village folks in Shaanxi and beyond. |
Contact: meing@foe.org.hk |
