点废成绿 Greening the Beige (GtB) is an eco-minded arts collective and not-for-profit community network dedicated to nurturing awareness of environmental issues. 点废成绿 GtB promotes and celebrates earth friendly artists and organizations in Beijing.
"Why are we being forced to choose between the economy and the environment? We tend to forget that without an environment we would not have an economy, as everything we consume and I mean everything comes from our environment."
~ Franke James (contemporary artist, photographer, writer)
Beijing's landfills are getting full fast! Reduce the "trash" you throw away by purchasing products with minimal packaging. Look for reusable, recyclable, and biodegrable items and remember to carry your reusable shopping bags!
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit northwest China's Qinghai Province, Yushu county, early on Wednesday, April 14. The death toll has risen to over 600 people and more than 8,000 injured, according to reports from The Associated Press and China International Radio.
From SINA ENGLISH:
Over 100,000 permanent residents in Yushu are believed to be affected by the devastating quake. Some 85 percent of homes are believed to have collapsed. The affected area lacks tents, medical equipment and health workers, Zhuo Huaxia, Deputy Publicity Secretary of Yushu government, told Xinhua in a telephone interview.
Red Cross Society of China urges people of all walks of life to donate money or materials for the victims in the quake-hit region of northwestern Qinghai province on Wednesday.
Donation methods were released on its official website: www.redcross.org.cn
A hot line was also provided: +86(10) 65139999
The Ministry of Civil Affairs has authorized 15 organizations to receive donations for quake-hit areas. Detailed instructions for direct deposits made in in Beijing are here.
Please see more ways you can help from beyond China in the comments section below. THANK YOU!
Comments
Water Purifitcation Units Needed
As of April 26 two water purification systems have been installed in one of the largest displaced person camps on the outskirts of Yushu, each with a proven capacity to provide potable water for over 2,500 people; and a request has been made for 30 water purification units in total, to be set up at 19 different locations throughout the town.
To help make this happen, find more information here:
http://yushuearthquakerelief.com/
Vista Project
In the immediate aftermath of the Qinghai earthquake the huge and ongoing task of organizing accommodation for the homeless, tending to the wounded and setting programs in place to avoid sickness due to lack of clean water and sanitation is in need of your support:
http://www.vistaproject.org/yushu_appeal/
..............................garbage in, garbage out
Update on Qinghai Relief Efforts
YER (Yushu Earthquake Relief), the consortium of local NGOs founded yesterday in Xining, has sent its first convoy with government permission the morning of April 16.
www.yushuearthquakeresponse.org
YER includes seven local NGOs - Snowland Service Group, Tsongkha Charitable Association, Sanchuan Development Association, Shem Women's Group, Qinghai Tibet Research Center, and Friends of Rural Community Development - plus strong support from international experts in Xining from Tibet Village Project, Columbia, Trace, Mercy Corps, and Bridge. Major funding of $13,000 already received from Machik and $15,000 from Columbia, but that barely covers the first convoy.
YER's first supply convoy consisted of 4 vehicles: 1 x 25 tonne truck, one smaller truck a pickup and a car with a total
of 10 persons including Rinchin Dawa (SSG), Yue Yao (Disaster management expert, Mercy Corps). They were carrying about 30 tonnes in all including:
- 5 tonnes of rice
- 5 tonnes of noodles
- 2 big generators
- 2 big water filtration systems
- 1 huge gas tank
- wood stoves + coal
- tents
- mattresses
- water
The cost was 120,000 rmb (6.8 yn = $1, $17,650) including transportation. Distribution will be done by SSG in Jyeku/Yushu, its home base, where they have yesterday set up a relief center at the Mani wall just outside the town, since the situation inside has become tense and unsafe.
Overseas donations are still being recommended via www.Tibetanvillageproject.org or http://www.machik.org
*Note: local NGOs in China must have government permission to receive foreign funds* the permission issue only applies to funds received in foreign currency from overseas -- check the YER website to find information for making donations in RMB directly to some of the local NGOs involved..
..............................garbage in, garbage out
CLOTHING DRIVE
It is very cold and thousands are homeless - so warm clothing is needed quickly. Please see the list below and please give what you can. CASH DONATIONS will be used to purchase essential supplies.”
These items are currently needed:
WARM BLANKETS
DUVETS
COATS / JACKETS
WARM CLOTHING
SOCKS
HATS
SCARVES
TOILETRIES
BABY BLANKETS
DIAPERS
CANNED FOODS
Donations can be dropped at the following locations:
Links Moving Company
Oriental Kenzo - Tower D, 9B
#48 Dongzhimenwai Avenue
100027 Beijing
Tel 010 8447 7496
Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm
Roundabout Charity Distribution Store
Shunyi North 顺义北, Kaifa Jie Houshayu, Shunyi北五环东路外开发街顺义区后沙峪开发街
Near Mrs Shannen's Bagels, around the corner from ISB. Shunyi District.
Mon-Sat, 9.30am-6pm
13718 777 761 ( English ) 13718 053 814 (Chinese)