Environment Special: Bayer environmental effort opens at Beijing Forestry University

To make a contribution toward "building a low-carbon society", the eighth Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Program began its effort in the nation's capital at Beijing Forestry University in April.

The program will continue until November in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Hangzhou, bringing message to college and university students from 18 to 23 years old.

Its programs include efforts to increase conservation, awareness and organization of eco-camps.

The Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Program is part of an effort between Bayer and the UN Environmental Programme to provide an international forum for youngsters across the globe.

Since China joined in 2003, every year, this ranks of the envoys are swelled by energetic youngsters from more than 10 countries including Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, India, Brazil and Venezuela.

The program has since been held in mainland cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Tianjin, Hefei, Nanjing, Ji'nan, and Chongqing, selecting 119 "environmental envoys" from more than 100 universities.

Selected as an envoy last year, Liu Jiemei from East China Normal University then visited Bayer's headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany.

"Although the seven-day-trip was quite short, it helped broaden my perspective," she recalled. "It helped us set more goals and to be a force for future environmental protection."

"A 'Bayer Young Environmental Envoy' is not just an honorary title, but also recognition of our contribution to the environment and an encouragement for us to set an example," she added.

Another aspect of the effort is the Bayer Environmental Award for Media organized with the China Forum of Environmental Journalists that honors young reporters.

The award will be announced along with the selection of youth envoys at the end of November. Award winners will join the trip to Bayer's headquarters.

Bayer China announced the official launch last year of its "Seeding for Green" program for sustainable development that includes an international children's painting competition and book on global warming

The program also includes "green camps" and education centers.

Enrolment forms on the range of Bayer programs are available at www.envir.gov.cn/info/bayer. Information on the Bayer Environmental Award is available at www.cfej.net/.

(China Daily 05/24/2010 page15)