Nature Reserve Along Silk Road

Mr. Liu, a propaganda department officer, holds a branch of a dying tree in the Dunhuang Yangguan National Nature Reserve. He claims 40% of the Yangguan forest is dying. The forest was planted in 1953 to protect Dunhuang City against destructive elements of the Kumutage Desert. The Desert is expanding because the local Shule River holds less water, losing its grip on its banks and giving sand a chance to roam free. Increased population, agriculture and climate change have created a problem of desertification.

Unique identifier: GP01WLS

Type: Image

Shoot date: 20/08/2009

Locations: Asia, China, Dunhuang, East Asia, Gansu, Jiuquan, Silk Road

Credit line: © Greenpeace / John Novis

Ranking: ★★★★ (E)

Containers

Shoot:

Silk Road Climate Change Impacts

Greenpeace travels the iconic Silk Road in China to find how climate change has affected the famous trade route. The Silk Road was the world's first superhighway, a series of desert and mountain crossings that enabled silk to make its way from the ancient Chinese capital of Xian. The Silk Road allowed links between China and the West to flourish, encouraging an exchange of art, ideas and culture as well as trade. Desertification and drought has taken its toll on the Silk Road. The once great civilisations dotted along the road have now been consumed by the desert and the region is home to some of China's poorest people. The Silk Road is considered a climate hot spot, like the poles, where climate change is accelerating faster than in other areas. These changes include glaciers retreating at an alarming rate along the route. However, there is a twist to the story. Many parts of the Silk Road have exceptionally powerful wind resource locations. It is where China is now building massive wind farms and the renewable industry flourishes. Green factories are springing up everywhere along the route, most notably in Gansu and Xinjiang. The migrant workers who once traveled to Beijing for work have now returned home again to find new 'green' jobs.

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Silk Road Climate Change Impacts

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