- “Low-carbon wishes, walking hand in hand for the environment; small changes, lighting up hope. As the ancients said: ‘Every breeze carries the call of nature.’ In an age of limited resources and fragile ecosystems, it takes true environmental advocates to bravely lead the way. May each of our actions not only contribute to energy conservation and emissions reduction, but also sow seeds of hope for the planet’s future and convey the belief in sustainable development. May every volunteer not only fulfill their responsibility in promoting a low-carbon lifestyle but also ignite a love for nature within, using concrete actions to protect our shared green home.”
ICSO Outstanding Volunteer
Personal Profile:
Ningran Yu
University College London, MA in Comparative Economics and Policy
Department: ICSO·UK Branch
After working in China for five years, Ningran Yu decided to pursue postgraduate studies abroad. While studying in the UK, she participated remotely in ICSO’s international public welfare support initiative — The Wanchun Project. In the promotional campaign for low-carbon living, she demonstrated perseverance and a meticulous work ethic. From researching low-carbon habits, to creating graphics and video content, and finally to promoting and practicing these ideas, she was involved in every step and quickly grew into a central force of the campaign.
During the initial research phase, Ningran conducted an in-depth investigation into effective methods of reducing one’s carbon footprint. She reviewed a large amount of environmental material and personally tested various low-carbon lifestyle practices. She compiled her findings into a detailed report and distilled a series of easy-to-implement low-carbon habits, such as reducing the use of single-use plastics, choosing energy-efficient appliances, and opting for greener transportation methods.
When it came to content production, Ningran went beyond just promoting abstract ideas. She planned and produced a series of graphic and video materials that aimed to present low-carbon living concepts in a more intuitive and engaging way.
For the videos, she selected several representative households and communities as shooting locations, showcasing how to adopt low-carbon habits in real-life situations. At her own home, she filmed how to use energy-saving lights and sort waste properly, while in local communities, she recorded scenes of people choosing public transportation and cycling. Ningran even starred in the videos herself, demonstrating simple home upgrades to reduce energy consumption, and invited real local residents to share their own low-carbon living experiences.
Ningran poured her heart and soul into the production process, never shrinking from hard work. She climbed rooftops in the sweltering heat to install energy-saving lights, and spent hours adjusting equipment and lighting to capture the best shots. She meticulously planned each scene to ensure the message was accurately conveyed, and edited the footage repeatedly in post-production to achieve the best possible results. Whenever she encountered technical issues or equipment failures, she patiently worked through them, ensuring each video clearly communicated the core message of low-carbon living.
Beyond content creation, Ningran also actively promoted the initiative. She used her social media platforms to share the videos and graphics, and responded proactively to public comments and questions. She designed interactive activities that encouraged audiences to share their own low-carbon habits, integrating these responses into the campaign to enhance engagement and effectiveness. Ningran also regularly organized online discussions to address public concerns about low-carbon living and to offer practical tips and support.
Reflecting on the campaign afterward, Ningran shared:
“This experience made me realize that low-carbon living is not some distant or unattainable goal — it’s something we can gradually achieve through our everyday actions. I found that when we bring theory into practice and showcase these habits through real-life scenarios, people are much more receptive and willing to participate. Every small act, though seemingly insignificant, can accumulate into a powerful force that propels us toward a greener future. What comforts me the most is seeing more and more people begin to take low-carbon living seriously and put it into practice — that’s the greatest reward for all our efforts.”