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BEIJING: China is currently working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and address climate change. Apart from national efforts, urban communities are also playing their part to ensure a cleaner and greener environment.
Beijing's Xuanwu district is one of the first in the Chinese capital to introduce solar-powered street lighting. Utilising an average of four to six hours of sunshine a day, the district's solar panels store enough energy to light up signboards at night.
While this may be a modest success, the people behind it are proud that they are multiplying its effect by implementing the system in other districts.
Wang Duwei, party secretary, Niu Jie, Xuanwu district, said: "Solar-energy not only helps us to reduce our energy consumption and save on utilities, it also helps China reduce its overall energy consumption. By having this at the local level, we also drive home the message of energy conservation to residents and children."
The solar project is not the only green effort here as the district has also turned its attention to collecting and recycling rain water. And beyond communal efforts, the green message has also begun to influence individual behaviour.
Due to years of public education, residents living in Xuanwu said they are now more aware of the importance of energy saving, which is one of the most important and enduring effects of the local government's efforts in promoting green policies.
One such resident is 55-year-old Li Yaqin. She uses waste water from the washing machine to flush the toilets and by placing two bottles in the toilet cistern, she cuts water usage by another 50 per cent.
The homemaker also avoids using disposable chopsticks and paper cups.
"We try to keep the big picture in mind and do our part for the country, for our future generations and for the world. Except for these small attempts, there is not much that ordinary people like us can contribute. But everyone can do their part," said Li.
In a recent survey, urban residents here said environmental protection is one of their three main concerns, aside from rising prices and food security.
- CNA/so
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