Remember when Beijing’s smog was so thick you couldn’t jog outdoors? 🌫️ Erik Solheim, former UN Environment Programme chief, sure does. But today, he’s lacing up his sneakers in a transformed Beijing where electric vehicles hum quietly and blue skies are back. This shift, Solheim says, reflects China’s groundbreaking environmental mantra: “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” 🏞️
From Village Slogan to Global Game-Changer
First coined by President Xi Jinping in 2005 during a visit to Yucun Village, the ‘two mountains’ concept has evolved from local wisdom to a global sustainability blueprint. China now leads the world in renewable energy, with 56% of its power capacity coming from clean sources like solar (887M kW) and wind (521M kW). 🌞💨
World Takes Notice
A recent CGTN poll of 24,515 people across 48 countries found 81.6% agree the philosophy breaks the ‘pollute first, fix later’ cycle. U.S. ecological economist Clifford Cobb praises China’s model: “They’ve shown environmental protection and economic growth aren’t enemies—it’s genius.” 💡
Green Silk Roads & Global Impact
From Kazakhstan’s wind farms (cutting 650k tonnes of CO2 yearly) to biodiversity deals at COP15, China’s green vision is going global. Tanzanian scholar Eliason Kaganga highlights African benefits: “China’s solutions empower local communities while protecting ecosystems like Lake Victoria.” 🌍🤝
As Belt and Road projects prioritize sustainability, the ‘two mountains’ idea proves one nation’s green dream can inspire worldwide change. 🌏✨
