Nan Nan

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EIGHT people who are making changes to the world by changing the way they live talked about their experiences with alternative ways of living such as low-carbon lifestyle, urban public space sharing and green traveling actions at the Share for Green event in Shekou on Friday.

“What makes a person strong and happy is sharing something good with others,” said Sebastien Bourgeois, founder of the nonprofit IRNGO (International Recycling NGO).

Beginning with how he started IRNGO, Bourgeois shared how they collect excess products, such as toys and educational materials, and then distribute the products to places like orphanages and special education schools in China.

Film photographer and artistic coordinator Kazaf Lai, who is also an Airbnb landlord, shares the gorgeous things in her apartment with everyone. “Everyone can own the beauty of art,” said Lai.

“Instead of being a slave to a car and house, experiencing different lives is more essential to us,” said young couple Chen Bin and Jamie Lai, who have redefined happiness.

Additionally, green building expert Vincent Wen discussed low-carbon development by analyzing why the U.S. left the Paris Climate Agreement. “Instead of setting an agreement to push everybody, we should try to integrate faith into our daily lives,” said Wen.

The event was organized by the Green & Low-carbon Development Foundation (GDF), a nonprofit environmental protection organization, and PechaKucha Night, an event where young designers can meet, network, and show their work in public in a simple presentation format of showing 20 images for 20 seconds each.

Statistically, the more material goods people acquire, the less happy they are and the worse the environment tends to be. Using the fashion industry as an example, whose disposable products have caused the overuse and pollution of water and soil, the slogan “share for green” advocates for what people can do to change the world, according to GDF.

To make “share for green” a lifestyle, people can practice a minimalist approach to consumerism, swap and share instead of purchase and hold, buy quality, long-lasting products, support environmentally and socially responsible businesses and work as a community to speak out and reduce consumerism’s disastrous effects on the environment and the people involved.