The first Shanghai citizens' low carbon trip (LCT) group has visited the Harmmarbysjöstad, a Swedish model of sustainable city in Stockholm and held talks on climate change with Dr. Li Lailai, deputy director of Stockholm Environment Institute during their second destination of the trip on Monday.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comGao Jie, manager of Shanghai Overseas Travel Service Company said it was his company and
Beijing Seal Carbon Ltd. who designed the first LCT to the Scandinavian countries and Greenland.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comMr. Gao said the purpose of this LCT focuses on less carbon emission from the tourists' personal experience. As the first LCT tourists, they are really interested in this style and expecting to know more about environmental protection.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.com'This is probably the first group of its kind that ordinary citizens spend money from their own pocket to learn knowledge about climate change and test how their change in behavior contributes to a lower emission of greenhouse gas. When we were in Finland's customs, the officials there were surprised and glad about our trip. So we had a quick pass in the customs,' said Gao Jie excitedly.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comThe LCT started from Shanghai on June 6th, the day after the World Environment Day, and will last till 22nd traveling Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Greenland.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comThe participants are required to bring their own cups and chopsticks to have meal in the green-labeled restaurants, which are close to the hotel so that people can walk over. In addition, the hotels are certified by ISO 14001, which means they are environmentally friendly.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comSeal Carbon, the carbon calculation company, has organized training twice on climate change and recycling for the tourists. Participants watched the movie "The Arctic Tale" and learn more about climate change. They will also record their carbon emissions during the trip. The group have been visiting recycling facilities during the tour since Scandinavian countries have advanced recycling system.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comMr. Yan Qide, expert of Polar Research Center of China, and Mr. Wang Jianzhong, Captain of Snow Dragon Polar Research Ship gave a presentation to make a general introduction of North Pole and the history of polar research before they started the trip.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comIn Harmmarbysjöstad, the group learnt about the designing process of the city, the recycling system and even how they collect rain water in the area. The protection of a small forest which has become children's natural park in the middle of the city impressed them a lot.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comMiao Suping from Shanghai My Hi-Fashion Knitting Co. Ltd said that she knew little about climate issues before.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.com'This half year preparation and training as well as the inspection here make me understand better about climate issue. It actually concerns everyone of us and we actually can do something to contribute positively to the environment simply by changing our thinking and behavior. For example to use fewer elevators is actually good for our health too,' said Miao.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comHuang Qingyuan felt he gained a lot in terms of change of thinking method.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.com'I will learn this recycling system and use it in my real estate development. I will use the Chinese way and make it less expensive, but as effective because we may not afford to use rural workers to collect waste forever,' said Mr. Huang.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comThe group will head for Norway and Denmark where they meet those who organize the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December. They will also fly to Greenland to see how fast the ice is melting.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.com'I have been to the South Pole, and now I like to have a look at the North Pole. I think this will make us behave more responsibly,' said Gao Jie.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.comAfter they finish the LCT, the group should review their journey and their carbon footprint. And
Beijing Seal Carbon Ltd will record them and release to the media for future reference.
AAAwww.Chinakindnesstour.com
