Imagine turning barren deserts into lush forests – sounds like a climate action superhero plot, right? But China’s Three-North Shelterbelt Project proves it’s very real. Dubbed the 'Green Great Wall,' this decades-long initiative has transformed northern regions once choked by sandstorms into thriving ecosystems. Here’s how they did it
From Dust to Dreams
Back in 1978, northern China faced an environmental crisis: deserts were expanding, swallowing villages and farms. Fast-forward to today, and the stats speak for themselves :
Over 66 billion trees planted
Forest cover increased from 5% to 13%
55% vegetation restoration in key deserts
The Green Great Wall Effect
This mega-project – covering 4.9 million sq km – didn’t just plant trees. It stabilized deserts, slashed sandstorms by 50%, and boosted local economies through sustainable agriculture. Farmers who once fled dust storms now harvest apples and grapes in revitalized soil.
A Global Blueprint?
With desertification costing the global economy $400 billion yearly, China’s mix of science-backed policies and community action offers hope. As the UN meets in Riyadh to tackle land degradation, the world is watching . Could this model work in the Sahara or Australia’s outback? Experts say: 'The roots of success are there.'
– sounds like a climate action superhero plot, right? But China’s Three-North Shelterbelt Project proves it’s very real. Dubbed the 'Green Great Wall,' this decades-long initiative has transformed northern regions once choked by sandstorms into thriving ecosystems. Here’s how they did it 
:
in revitalized soil.
. Could this model work in the Sahara or Australia’s outback? Experts say: 'The roots of success are there.'
Three Generations Build 180km Green Wall Against Deserts 
