I believe that today, everyone has his or her own idea of nature.  And maybe there isn't one correct answer, but surely, shouldn't we first know what it is in order to protect it?  I live in a modern and industrious environment.  When I look out my window, I see apartments, skyscrapers, and strategically placed trees.  And to many of us who share a common view, the park or zoo may be the only link to nature that we have-a man-made nature.  One of the world's efforts can be described in two easy words-"Go Green".  But to what extent can one play in his or her own environment?

During the course of my experience as a volunteer for the Red Cross of China Jet Li One Foundation Project, along with 山水and 凤凰中华小姐, I climbed a step higher in understanding the nature that we belong to.  It isn't the fact that we live in a certain location on this globe, but rather a more complex relationship with nature where we've taken more than we've given back.  China has become of the fastest growing country in the world and with each area of growth, whether it is people's needs or infrastructures, some aspect of the environment has to make room for the new and modern.

One of our projects was to understanding the need of the local people, and how their economical ambitions can either contribute to environmental protection or destruction.  Our project took us to 青川, an area that was devastated by the infamous May 12th earthquake, which destroyed people's lives, their livestock and crop production, and endangered the natural habitat of various animals.  The local farmers of 青川 were encouraged to adapt to growing mushrooms rather than foresting trees or raising livestocks.  This method has two main beneficial outcomes.  First, growing mushroom consumes less natural resources and can be more easily managed.

Secondly, local wild animals do not eat the mushroom as opposed to other crops, so that farmers' mushroom production would not be negatively affected and local animals would not be threatened or killed by the farmers since there's no mutual interest.

This way, farmers can maintain an economically stable living without much disruption to their surrounding environment.  This is one of many examples how "Big Conservation" are taking steps to mainstream conservation.

In our modern and ever-changing world where much of the emphasis is on financial gains, it is impossible or even practical to ask a person to completely disregard one's own personal financial ambitions.  The fact is that, especially during the post-quake period, these local farmers need a way to rebuild their lives.  Although giving them money would help in the immediate future, a better and more effectively method is to teach them to be self-sufficient.

It is not without regard that the local environment, such as soil, humidity, altitude, and so on, dictates what can be grown.  The emphasis is to choose feasible alternatives in which our way of life can exist mutually along with the nature's elements and life.  So despite what we already know about "Go Green", there's a reason to our actions and no action comes without consequences.

As long as we are cognizant of our surroundings and our actions on the surrounding, then even this small step can go the distance.

Take responsibilities today, for perhaps tomorrow would be a day too late.

Learn and spread the word!