China calls for a "low carbon" lifestyle nationwide

Special Report: Fight against Global
Warming

BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A one-year carbon
emission reduction program proposed by China's Ministry of Environmental
Protection (MEP) was started here Wednesday, on World Earth Day, to encourage
citizens nationwide to adjust their lifestyle and live a "low-carbon" lifestyle.

A low-carbon lifestyle covers many aspects of modern
life, such as transportation, home heating, and holiday travel, which can be
conducted in a way that gives the maximum reduction of personal carbon
emissions.

Individual action is now recognized as one of the
keys to tackling climate change -- the greatest challenge facing humanity, said
China's MEP, which is responsible of launching the program in concert with the
U.S. Environmental Defense and some other organizations.

"We want to raise the nation's awareness of energy
saving and emission reduction, through a 'carbon-audit' program," said Zeng
Hongying, a MEP senior official.

Zeng said the program has chosen 11 cities, Tianjin,
Shanghai, Xi'an, Yingchuan, Nanjing, Changzhou, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Xia'men,
Shenyang and Chongqing, as the pilot city for the plan.

Of these 11 cities, 330 families will be selected to
calculate their daily carbon emissions with a carbon calculator designed jointly
by MEP and Nanjing University in Jiangsu province.

Zeng added that they will also invite experts to give
presentations in citizen communities on low-carbon lifestyles and the global
climate change issues, and make exhibitions to publicize the benefits of a
low-carbon lifestyle.

The ministry will also help some older communities in
environmental reform projects such as greening and rainwater recycling.

After the program is completed this year, it will be
promoted across the nation, the ministry said.