On May 23rd, Sheri Liao, China’s best-known environmentalist and founder of Global Village Beijing, spoke to the World Affairs Council in San Francisco. Liao has long been at the forefront of the grassroots movement towards a greener China, serving as an environmental advisor for the Olympic Committee and spearheads many projects for Global Village, an NGO tasked with campaigning for a greener China.

Liao says that China’s current lifestyle of high consumption and modernization is a major cause of environmental degradation. Urban air pollution in China is among the worst in the world, due in part to a considerable increase in cars on the road, and as a result of rapid over-industrialization, waterways have become highly polluted by runoff.

Liao sees four major steps as critical to the solution: stricter policies, monitoring for compliance, enforcement of regulations, and cultivation of a green lifestyle. Much of her efforts have focused on the fourth point, the greening of the individual’s lifestyle. She says this movement “is good motivation to re-evaluate lifestyle and the purpose of life [amidst] all of the development.” According to Liao, the Chinese government actively encourages a harmonious lifestyle as a cultural value, but she says people today are less motivated to choose a balanced and healthy way of living, preferring high technology and instant gratification.

Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, would be a giant leap forward for China. While NGOs vigorously promote alternative power sources, Liao says the coal energy providers have a lot of influence on China’s policy makers, which has thus far prevented the levying of a tax against coal users.

When asked what visitors can do to positively contribute to the greening of China, Liao replies, “plenty.” She suggests visitors decrease their use of airplanes, choosing trains or busses where possible; they can diligently recycle garbage and make efforts to respect and learn the culture in villages. Liao’s NGO, Global Village Beijing, is working to develop “eco villages” where tourists can take part in biodiversity and cultural diversity protection. Global Village also developed a “Green Train,” which transports and educates passengers while keeping environmental impact at a minimum. Liao says more green trains are in the works, along with plans for green busses and a sustainable tourism infrastructure.

China has its work cut out on the path to a greener future. Liao would like to see the United States set the tone globally towards sustainability. The way she sees it, “if the U.S. leads, China will certainly follow.”