Generation Next: Ethical Action by Youth Around the World

As part of a series on young environmentalists in the
BBC’s Generation Next season, Quentin Sommerville in Wenzhou meets
teenagers exposing animal rights abuses and environmental damage in
China’s industrial heartland.

In a report today the BBC highlights the example of activists from the 2000 members of Green Eyes China, a young person’s
environmental group which is working to expose the animal rights abuses
and environmental damage.

They face a huge challenge. China’s environmental record
is one of the poorest in the world, and animal rights are a relatively
new concept. Acid rain falls on around at third of the country, the
water in most of its rivers is unfit to drink or fish in. Campaigners
say that the country is on the brink of environmental collapse. Even the government agrees.

Green Eyes was founded by Fang Minghe, 22, when he was a schoolboy. Being young is an advantage, he says. "People think we’re too innocent to be a threat," he
said. "We want to give society a signal that schoolchildren have the
right to take part in environmental protection. "It’s not only their obligation, it’s their right – it’s
in the UN convention on the rights of the child."

The group works with the local authorities, including
the police, and claims credit for some 26 criminal prosecutions. It
also helps on environmental clean-ups, and runs an animal sanctuary,
saving around 100 animals a year.

But Fang is realistic about the task ahead. "We often
wonder if protection can catch up with the damage. Why do we blindly
pursue economic growth?" But, there are hopeful signs. China’s leadership is waking up to the problem. Earlier
this year it revealed plans to spend 1.4 trillion yuan ($175bn) over
the next five years on protecting the environment.

The commitment of the Green Eyes activists is all the
more remarkable because it exists in a country unused to direct and
independent action by its citizens.

The BBC also highlights the work of "other young eco heros"  including: Illai Kenney who at 16 attended coca colas annual conference last year and stood up to question their irresponsible use of water in India; Martin Patience, a 17-year-old who stepped in
during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict to help save Beirut’s oil-stricken
beach; A group of dutch children making good on Kyoto by betting their government they can save more energy; and a group of youngsters creating an oasis in the heart of one of India’s most polluted and lawless cities.

For all the stories see the BBC website

Article contributed by Ethical Design Lab