Cutting the carbon

[Photo provided to China Daily]

As China's economy continues to grow, so does its carbon footprint. Greater prosperity and rapid industrialization bring major challenges and potential threats. Luckily, China has one resource capable of ensuring future growth that does not mean disaster: its children. The Hangzhou Low Carbon Science and Technology Museum aims to educate young people about environmental issues in a way that is fun, fact-filled and occasionally, as seen aboard the Global Warming train－frightening.

Fourth-grader Zhu Yunnan says the solar panel and battery demonstration device let her see the workings of solar energy, and illustrative Q&A sessions gave her an understanding of low carbon living.

"I won't cut trees in the future and I will use porcelain cups instead of paper and plastic ones," she says.

However, it is the Global Warming ride that has the greatest impact on Zhu, who is making her second visit. Once aboard the train you are transported by the magic of technology through a dimly forestlike tunnel and wetlands, seeing how human ingenuity and need changed the Earth－and the possible consequences unless we clean up our act.