CRI in Action: "Copenhagen to Cancun" Launch Ceremony Draws Attention to Environmental Issues

China Radio International has launched an exciting new project called "CRI in Action: "Copenhagen to Cancun".

With the UN climate change conference in Mexico just days away the environment has become a hot topic here in China. CRI's project wants to highlight attention to global climate change and environmental issues and encourage practical ways in which we as individuals can make a difference in our daily lives.

CRI's English Service is also facilitating an international dialogue on the issues by encouraging listeners to email CRI, going online, and mobile platforms.

The project was launched in Beijing and Allie Johnson was there.

A key component of CRI in Action is a video project in which youth aged 14 to 17 are invited to submit videos expressing their views on global warming and environmental changes.

At the launch, students from the International School of Beijing's Global Issues Group presented one of their videos. One of the students, Ivan Tsang, gave a speech on how small efforts can make a significant difference.

"I would like everyone to imagine a small puddle on the side of the street. If everyone dropped a small drop of water into that puddle, it would soon become larger. And perhaps, fishes could start swimming in it. If everyone in the society contributes a small effort in helping the environment, guess what? Those efforts will soon add up."

We caught up with some of the students from the International School of Beijing's Global Issues Group and asked them for some eco-advice for CRI listeners.

"They should recycle more. They should use less energy. And just live more green to make Beijing a better place."

"If you could tell one person, and convince one person, you could create this domino effect that would influence many, many more people."

"I play baseball and in Beijing so many of our games and so many of our practices are cancelled because of the pollution. So I think we should do something to prevent that."

Dr. Jian Liu, Director of the International Ecosystem Management Partnership of the United Nations Environment Program, gave a speech on the ways humans can work with natural systems to reduce climate change.

Dr. Liu said he hopes the climate negotiations in Cancun will lead to greater actions than recent talks have.

"Unfortunately no concrete actions are being taken, so I hope that the negotiators there will take firm actions to reach a concrete deal."

The launch also included a video in which famous CRI hosts suggested changes people can make in their daily habits to reduce their impact on the environment.

CRI is currently making a call-out for video submissions on environmental changes from youths around the globe. Prizes will be awarded for the best videos in January 2011. CRI listeners are also encouraged to take a look at the videos and add to the conversation online at CRIenglish.com.

For CRI, I'm Allie Johnson.