Twenty environmental protection organizations in Nanjing have issued a joint call to citizens to start the fight against climate change from the little things right under our noses because a truly low-carbon society needs a low-profile lifestyle, says an article in the China Youth Daily. Excerpts:

Family vehicles are one of the main emitters of greenhouse gases(GHG) , and their number keeps growing. Many people buy cars to show off their wealth and social status. Others are keen on keeping up with the Joneses. The Joneses have bought a car, so must I. The Joneses have bought a new, bigger car, so I must buy a more luxurious one.

When it comes to housing, a small or medium-sized apartment should be good enough for most of the families, but many people buy bigger ones just to suit their status. And we all know that big houses consume more energy and emit more GHGs than smaller ones.

Dai Xiaojian, a student from Nanjing Chemical Vocational Technical College, was gifted many T-shirts for participating in environmental protection activities. And during the past four summers, he has only worn these T-shirts. By doing so he has reduced 185.6 kg carbon dioxide emission. Many have teased and even scorned upon him for wearing the same T-shirts but he has ignored them.

A person who has a huge carbon footprint because he wants to show off his wealth and social status is not fit for society in these trying environmental times. Ignorant or snobbish people may laugh at Dai, but he is a person that deserves our highest respect.

He is the symbol of the 20 environmental protection groups in Nanjing that have given a call to people to start fighting climate change with little changes in our lifestyles.