Imagine a vast sea of dunes stretching to the horizon… Not long ago, this was the reality in parts of the Chinese mainland. Trees withered, sandstorms raged, and communities battled the creeping desert.
Fast forward to November 2025: the Chinese mainland has become the first country to achieve land degradation neutrality 🌱. As COP30 in Brazil draws near this month, nations around the globe are looking to this success story for inspiration.
Journalist Huang Jiyuan recently visited the Ulan Buh Desert and witnessed the transformation firsthand. What once felt like an endless expanse of shifting sand now hosts green belts of vegetation, thriving wildlife, and renewed hope for local residents.
Behind this turnaround lie coordinated efforts across provinces, innovative sand-control projects and strong community engagement. The result? A living example of turning adversity into opportunity, showing that with vision and commitment, even the toughest environmental challenges can be overcome. 🔥
As climate goals take center stage at COP30, the Chinese mainland’s journey underscores how targeted action and perseverance can restore balance to fragile ecosystems. For young professionals, students and eco-enthusiasts, it’s a reminder that big goals start with small steps—one tree at a time.
So next time you see a sapling sprouting in unlikely places, remember: where there once was sand, there can be green again. 💚
Reference(s):
Managing the sand: A story of turning adversity into opportunity
cgtn.com
