How Green Is Beijing?

Since I started Greening the Beige last year in March, one of the most common questions I've gotten is about the name.

Why? What? And is that even grammatically correct?

Well, to answer in reverse, the first thing I'll say is "No".

Really the idea is that Greening the Beige is the product and result of urban evolution; an alternative hybrid of energy; a very strange organic fruit indeed.

To break it down: there are two colors; green and beige

Associate green (a contrast color) with a healthy, sustainable, quality environment.
Associate beige (a mute color) with the lackluster residual coating of soot on your bicycle, window pane, and face.

Do you see the connection?

Most of us don't choose to live in Beijing for its beige skies. But many of us are sticking around for its guaranteed Olympic blue skies.

I've now been living in the northern capital for over 3 years. And aiya! Beijing has become my home. Really, it's no coincidence I started Greening the Beige in March last year. I mean, what's the first thing you do when you move into your new home?

(Answer: Decorate!)

So why go with blue skies if I could change the sky to green? And who else can appreciate or envision green skies more than the artist, the poet, the musician?

As soon as I got the idea for Greening the Beige, I called some friends. I searched on-line. I sent a few emails. I posted an ad on a community forum.

And then...when the time finally came...so did the name...we were Greening the Beige....only because Greening the Beige has something to do with the color of the sky, being home, taking action, and having fun, of course....