At 22, Bayang from Sanjiangyuan—a remote region in southern Qinghai Province known as the \"Water Tower of Asia\"—has become an unlikely climate warrior. \"Last year, our streams dried up. We rode motorcycles for hours to fetch water, and families lost income when caterpillar fungus yields dropped,\" she shares, describing how climate change is reshaping life on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
Sanjiangyuan, sourcing the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang rivers, sustains China’s freshwater ecosystems and rare biodiversity. But rising temperatures and erratic weather are disrupting its fragile balance. For Bayang and other young women here, climate action isn’t just about survival—it’s a path to empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated society. 🌱
\"After I married, people expected me to stay home,\" Bayang says. \"Now, I’m learning to lead conservation projects.\" Women are organizing reindeer patrols to monitor grasslands, advocating for sustainable harvesting, and using social media to amplify their voices. 🏔️
Their efforts blend ancient pastoral wisdom with modern tech, proving that protecting the planet can also break barriers. As Bayang puts it: \"When we save our land, we save ourselves.\"
