China - home to one fifth of humanity and cradle of a long and proud civilisation. New economic policies adopted in the 1980s have accelerated economic and industrial growth as never before. While it has helped China reduce poverty and offer better living standards for most of its people, such rapid growth has led to many environmental impacts.

Rapid urbanisation and a new consumption-led ideology has transformed China into one of the world's most polluted nations. The serene world of rice paddies, temples and bicycles - how the country is still perceived by many outsiders -- has been affected in recent years by high levels of land degradation, habitat and species decline and growing health problems arising from a contaminated environment.

Raising awareness on key environmental problems, solutions, choices and alternatives is an essential first step in this process. Beijing Earthview Education and Research Center, a non-profit pubic education organisation, is working to deliver knowledge to the Chinese people - from poor rural farmers to the city dwellers - about caring for the environment for a better tomorrow.