On December 10, 2009, students and teachers from Green Oasis School, Shenzhen, joined world wide vigils to limit carbon dioxide emissions. Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity. Currently, we’re at 387 and rising.

10th grader, Ann Sheng organized students and teachers to march from the school to the park, including securing permits from the municipal government.

15 years ago, Shenzhen urban planners expected the population to use public transportation and bicycles. Today, Shenzhen has one of the largest car markets in China, and the city’s roads have been rebuilt to acommodate the huge number of private vehicles. 15 years ago, Shenzhen urban plans included green space and basketball courts. Today, those public spaces are now used as parking lots.

All this to say, already in Ann’s short life, air quality in Shenzhen has noticibly worsened. I hope her efforts and the enthusiastic support of her classmates and teachers help world leaders (yes I’m looking at you, Barack Obama and Hu Jintao) to reconsider their positions to represent the views of the people and not just car manufacturers.

pictures of the vigil, here.