IDSB10H3-KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

DATA COLLECT REPORT-GROUP PROJECT

Case Study: Green Activism in China, "The Grassroots Way" (Asia Society)

ERIC YU - 997899207

PROFESSOR LESLIE CHAN

TA BECKY HILLYER

Provide an overview of your case study (social, political, economic circumstances, if applicable)

     The non-governmental organization the Green Anhui was established by Zhou Xiang, in 2003 in order to promote environmental awareness and protection in China's Anhui province with particular focus on Huai River. In 2008, Green Anhui directed a campaign that was captured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary short called The Warriors of Quigang. Its main objective was to lead the resident of Qiugang village in a successful bid to shut down three chemical factories that were polluting local waterways. 

What form of technology was used in your case study and how wide-spread was the usage and access to this particular form of technology?

     There were many forms of technology used in the case study such as blogging, documentary films, and different forms interviews that can be found over the internet. I believe it is globally spread since the all over the internet, but getting support from Hannah Lincoln and Neha Sakhuja who are journalist from San Francisco was one of the greatest benefit. Also from the help of being translated into english, an international language, this also helped increased its reputation.

Which groups of citizens were involved in its usage and why?

     The citizens who were involved were the locals. In the area most of them did not have internet or computers to blog about this problem. Some of them did not received high education since it was away from large developed cities, so the only way they could have express themselves were through being documented by others. At the end the emotion and hardship were express through their actions in the videos rather then just words and text online.

How successful do you feel that citizens were in terms of making their voices heard and receiving positive change? What evidence do you have to demonstrate this?

     I believe for this famous movement, it was a great success since the locals were able to get those chemical factor shut down and stop them from polluting the near by habitat and water. Moreover many government officials and citizens have either seen or heard of the documentary film. It has set a great example for future movements for the people in China.

Some questions and answers from the interview

Warriors of Qiugang

Have average Chinese people heard of your movie?

Yes, many have, especially people with environmental interests. Government officials have, too. [Laughs.]

When Warriors of Qiugang began filming, how was it received by the villagers? Were they suspicious of you in any way?

When we started out, the villagers thought the movie director, Ruby Yang, and her cohort were reporters. The villagers hoped to expose what was going on and attract the government's attention. So from the beginning, the villagers were very supportive. When they realized we were making a movie they were happy because in the end, this is a problem that the government does want to solve. The governmental departments all handled it differently, though. Some of the departments were not too pleased. But the environmental ministry really liked it, because the villagers' success was also a success for them. The villagers had been hoping that someone would pay attention to them, so they do not fear the media!

You guys orchestrated that activity?

[Laughs.] Yes, that was one of the activities we planned. This is a long-term project that we started in 2006. We spent four years on Qiugang's pollution issues – a very long time. They had stand-out community leaders, like Zhang Gongli. We also had overseas support. So I think the success of Qiugang is not inevitable, because there are a lot of contributing factors. But China's environmental activities must have the support of the media, NGOs, and community leaders in order to succeed.

Is the Jiucailuo company [the chemical factory that was shut down] still polluting?

After it closed, it was moved to a chemical-factory district. There are a lot of companies together there, and no residents. There is also a water treatment facility there, and it cleans up the water. If they start to pollute again, [laughs] we'll just go back and do it again!

So the role of activism by common peoples [in environmentalism] must be very big?

They have the most important role. But they also suffer the most.

You've said that Green Anhui was training community leaders. Can you explain how you identify community leaders and what methods you use to train them?

First, in towns, we will disseminate information about environmentalism, try to educate people, and also do some social activities. And then some people will stand up and say that they want to help out. These people tend to be teachers and principals, or older villagers – they are often the ones willing to help out. One training method is to hand out pamphlets which explain environmental law. It lists articles and regulations they can refer to if their environmental rights and interests are threatened. On the back of the pamphlet is our telephone number and the Environmental Protection Bureau's number, which they are encouraged to call if they are being harmed by pollution.

So you train these few people, and then they will...?

Bring power to the rest of the people. They will give a call to the Environmental Protection Bureau and say that such-and-such chemical company is polluting, and invite the ministers over to check it out.

Bibliography 

Lincoln, Hannah, and Neha Sakhuja. "Zhou Xiang: Green Activism in China, 'The Grassroots Way' | Asia Society."Asia Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. <http://asiasociety.org/policy/environment/sustainable-cities/zhou-xiang-green-activism-china-grassroots-way?page=0,0>.

"China's Health and Environment: Water scarcity, water pollution, and health | World Resources Institute." World Resources Institute | Global Warming, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Sustainable Markets, Good Governance & the Environment. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2012. <http://www.wri.org/publication/content/8414

"Maturing Environmental Movement Takes Uniquely Chinese Approach | Worldwatch Institute ." Worldwatch Institute . N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. <http://www.worldwatch.org/node/3870>.

Holmes, Tara. "China's Growing Environmental Movement | Care2 Causes." Care2 - largest online community for healthy and green living, human rights and animal welfare.. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. <http://www.care2.com/causes/chinas-growing-environmental-movement.html>.