China Program Review 2002
ÖÐÎÄ
Environmental Action Program:
Impact on Sustainable Economics and Environmental Practices
Participants in the EAP Level 1 gained a better understanding of the science of the environment and learned that different production systems have different implications for the environment and hence different degrees of sustainability. They realised how their behavior and the choices they make in many aspects of their lives impact sustainability. They also realised that their raised awareness and understanding motivated them to contribute in a positive way to their families and communities.
Highlights of the actions taken by participants include:
1) Environmental Awareness
Song Jinmei (front row first left) shares the
content of theEAP handbook with others
during a big clean up in her community
One hundred percent (100%) of the participants visited showed a marked improvement in environmental awareness and this was shared with their relatives and neighbors. Indicators of the change include an increase in the level of cleanliness in their homes and surroundings and the implementation of recycling. All participants reported that now, instead of littering, they collect litter for recycling purposes. In particular, they collect the plastic sheets they use to cover the crops to conserve water in their traditionally dry area.
In Pingliang, Gansu Province, Song Jinmei was determined to change her rubbish-strewn community into a clean one after participating inthe EAP L1 course. She lobbied for support from the local leaders who backed her idea and rallied all the villagers to participate in a big clean up which took more than 10 days. During this period, she seized the chance to share the contents of the EAP handbook with others.
2) Adopting an Ecological Agriculture System
Farmers in Dingbian, Shaanxi use plastic
sheets to cover the crops
The EAP Level 1 includes several case studies on ecological agriculture appropriate to the region. Participants evaluated their own systems in light of their increased understanding of ecology and the practical examples provided in the program. Fifty percent (50%) of the participants visited expressed their wish to implement part or all of one of the systems studied. These include the four-in-one system corporating a biogas generator, a green-house, an animal holding pen and a brick latrine.
3) Cattle Rearing
Visiting the goat pen of one of the
participants during the evaluation
visit to Dingbian, Shaanxi
Poverty resulting from environmental deterioration due to over-grazing and unsustainable cropping practices is widespread in Northwestern China. After the training, the participants understood the need to diversify their production systems, including diversifying by combining cattle rearing with multi-cropping systems. More than 90% of the participants visited in Dingbian have begun to diversify into cattle rearing. Having understood the dangers of over-grazing and grazing on steep slopes, they now support the government? policy to plant grass and keep their cattle in confined areas.
4) Diversification to Other Production Systems
Qin Xilian (right) opens a flour-processing
factory
More than 50% of the participants visited in Pingliang District, Gansu Province, have gained the confidence to diversify into other production systems.
Qin Xilian, a muslim, decided to open a flour-processing factory that was much needed in her village. With the help of her husband, they invested RMB25,000 (USD3125) and together they learned from the machine supplier how flour processingis done