"China and Africa are facing similar environmental challenges in their economic development. It is hoped that young people will actively contribute to addressing climate change and biodiversity conservation, and participate more in environmental cooperation between China and Africa in the future and devote themselves to the cause of green development." Xiao Xuezhi, deputy director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of ecology and environment, said at the "China Africa Environmental Cooperation: Youth round table dialogue on climate change and biodiversity protection".

A few days ago, the China Africa Environmental Cooperation Center was officially launched. This round table dialogue is the first activity since the center was launched. During the event, Chinese and African youth discussed and adopted the "China Africa youth response to climate change and biodiversity conservation initiative", calling on Chinese and African youth to work together to cope with climate change and protect biodiversity, and promote the construction of a clean and beautiful world.

"China and Africa are facing similar environmental challenges in their economic development. It is hoped that young people will actively contribute to addressing climate change and biodiversity conservation, and participate more in environmental cooperation between China and Africa in the future and devote themselves to the cause of green development." Xiao Xuezhi, deputy director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of ecology and environment, said in the activity of "China Africa Environmental Cooperation: Youth round table dialogue on climate change and biodiversity protection".

Recently, the China Africa Environmental Cooperation Center was officially launched. This round table dialogue is the first activity since the center was launched. During the event, Chinese and African youth discussed and adopted the "China Africa youth response to climate change and biodiversity conservation initiative", calling on Chinese and African youth to work together to cope with climate change and protect biodiversity, and promote the construction of a clean and beautiful world.

Blooming and fruiting: China Africa cooperation project has brought "clean water and abundant crops"

"My hometown, Sierra Leone, is one of the countries most affected by climate change. In recent years, we have also encountered many environmental challenges, such as temperature rise, flood and debris flow disasters, which are affecting our lives. In recent years, more and more Sino African cooperation projects have been stationed in Sierra Leone. Chinese experts have come here to help us understand sustainable forestry, and have a more rigorous attitude towards logging. Not only that, but some Chinese scientific research teams have also helped farmers to use natural conditions to grow crops with higher yield and better resistance to climate change, and taught us the cultivation methods, which really helped us a lot. " During the round table dialogue, the reporter met yateh Mohamed, an international student from Sierra Leone.

More and more African students like yateh come to China. During the exchange with them, the reporter learned that the pace of China's construction assistance has extended to various fields: renewable energy, sanitary drinking water and sewage treatment, sustainable dry land agriculture, watershed management and rainwater collection, etc. one project has brought tangible benefits to the sustainable development of African environment in recent years.

Sub Saharan Africa has many water scarce countries. Namdi, a Kenyan international student, told reporters that his hometown, Nairobi, was once faced with hidden dangers of drinking water safety and water quality standards, but now it has changed greatly because of the entry of the Chinese project team.

"At that time, in order to better invest in the construction of Africa, I moved my" office "to Africa. We should know that China's sewage treatment technology is not necessarily the most advanced compared with some developed countries, but in Africa, China's sewage treatment technology is the most appropriate, because it has the highest cost-effectiveness. Therefore, we will try our best to improve the water environment in Africa with China's sewage treatment technology, so that more local people can drink clean water. " Tongji University Environmental Science and Engineering Professor Li Fengting told reporters.

The demonstration project of high efficiency drinking water treatment jointly constructed by Tongji University and Nairobi water supply and drainage company has not only saved 15% - 25% chemical cost, but also reduced 20% sludge volume and improved treatment efficiency by 20% - 25% by using light coagulant in the drinking water treatment process in Nairobi area. In addition, constructed wetlands were constructed in Kisumu, Kenya, to treat the sewage discharged to Lake Victoria to further improve the water environment quality.

There are many such projects in China and Africa. In Kigoma, a project team from China helped launch the local water quality monitoring database management system. In Ethiopia, the ecological assessment and management system (EAM), jointly developed by Lanzhou University, simulates the growth process of plants and different water and nutrient requirements during the whole growing season, so as to predict the growth of crops under different hydrological and climatic conditions, which not only helps to protect the local biodiversity, but also brings rich fruits to farmers.

"I am looking forward to participating in the Youth Initiative for climate change and biodiversity conservation in Central Africa. I once participated in a project on water environmental quality and water related sanitation at Oxfam. Now I am studying environmental science in Tongji University. I hope that in the near future, I can participate in the practice of the initiative as a volunteer and builder." Yateh said with enthusiasm.

Build a bridge: let the youth's view of Africa is no longer just "Africa" in books

On the day of the round table dialogue, Chinese and African youth and representatives from international organizations, universities and enterprises held discussions on three topics, namely, youth power in response to climate change, response to climate change and protection of biodiversity, and innovative model support for action against climate change and biodiversity, sharing and exchanging views on climate change and biodiversity protection

When asked why he was so concerned about environmental issues, Zeng Kai said, "as a foreign affairs major, I participated in the Youth Summit on simulated global environmental negotiations, and also interned in the World Wide Fund for nature (WWF). Moreover, I heard the experience sharing of senior students who attended the previous conferences of the parties to the United Nations Convention on biological diversity back to their alma mater, which gradually brought about environmental issues interest. Although we have accumulated some experience in participating in the Model United Nations, it is actually very difficult for more than 130 countries to discuss and reach a common goal in the real negotiation stage. But if it is achieved, it will have a profound impact on the international community, so I hope to participate in it and contribute to global environmental governance. "

"I have a lot of feelings about participating in this activity. In our exchange, some students hope that China's new energy technologies and enterprises can enter Africa. However, African students admitted that in some areas of their hometown, energy popularization has not been achieved, and even cooking and heating need to rely on logging and some traditional biomass energy. If we want to carry out the construction of new energy there, we should first solve the problem of short supply of energy. Sometimes our thinking can not be limited, we should go out more and see the reality clearly. For another example, there are students from Ethiopia whose motherland is actually a typical representative of the rapidly developing African countries. However, some students' views on them still remain in the impression of Africa and Africa in books. In the communication, we are constantly erasing these stereotypes. Therefore, this exchange has provided us with a good platform and built a bridge for us to communicate with African students, "said Zeng Kai.

Enhance understanding: there are animals, birds and flowers, and the construction experience of African National Parks is worth learning

During the discussion on "the interaction between climate change and biodiversity", Li Nan, policy director of WWF Convention on biological diversity, presided over a round table dialogue among young people. She said the event was very meaningful and discussed a lot of international environmental issues that they seldom talked about in school. It was a great form.

"Through exchanges and discussions, we can also see that Chinese students are very sincere about helping African development, but their understanding is still insufficient. African students have experienced the bottleneck of their hometown's development and the challenge of environmental problems. They have a more realistic idea of looking at and solving problems. At the same time, they also know China very well. If there is a chance, I hope our students can also visit Africa. " Li Nan said.

When it comes to China Africa cooperation, many students think of sharing China's experience with African countries. But in fact, in the construction of nature reserves and national parks, Africa started much earlier than China, and we can learn a lot from them.

Nnamdi told reporters that he had been to Etosha National Park, Namibia's first wildlife gathering place with fascinating African scenery. "Etosha" originated from a local word, meaning "vast and white place".

He said that 12 million years ago, Etosha National Park was a lake. Now the area, covering nearly 22300 square kilometers, has become a home for many species.

"In Etosha Park, you can see more than 300 kinds of precious bird species that are well protected, as well as large groups of gazelle galloping on the plain. If Chinese friends go to see it, they will not only understand more magical species, but also be more inspired to come back to build national parks. " Nnamdi said.

In this regard, Zhang Lu carried forward deep feelings, "I study in the school of international relations of Peking University, and I can see many African students in the school on weekdays. In today's activity, I have a new understanding of African students by communicating with them. We have more impression based elements of Africa than field visits. If I have a chance, I will go to that magical land to see, experience, do field research, and really get close to my African friends. "

"Now that my hometown has changed a lot, I would like to invite my friends from China to have a look. Here, people and nature coexist harmoniously. You can not only see wild animals and rare plants, but also see vast wilderness. It is unique and charming, which is very different from Beijing's charm. " Nnamdi said.

Source: China Environment News