I’m not what you’d call an environmental role model. I have no idea how big my carbon footprint is, but I doubt I’ve shed the wasteful habits learned in 30 years of life in America, so we’re probably talking Sasquatch proportions. Air conditioning, beef consumption, incandescent lighting – my sins against Gaia are numerous.

TreeHugger, the “one-stop shop for green news, solutions, and product information,” had a post yesterday about Beijing’s contribution to the 350.org International Day of Climate Action last Saturday, October 24.

As loyal Beijingers we understand our fair city is superior to Shanghai in almost every respect, but sadly the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has concluded Shanghai has it over us in one respect - air quality.

Is it possible to reduce your carbon footprint by eating only local food?

Back in September 2007 when I made my first investigation into recycling in China, my motive was pure fascination.

Never before had I seen such meticulously gung-ho nannies collecting discarded reusables, willing to risk life and limb to get that empty bottle across the street. Never before had I seen three-wheeled bikes like these: overflowing with cardboard, scrap metal, and yesterday’s Wahaha bottles, all tied together with flimsy twine. Not to mention Lao Wang, the wiry man who somehow pedals these small mountains on to their mysterious destination. I quickly found out their motive was pure economics.