Chapter 31: Picking Up Trash
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
One had to admit that being a volunteer was something that only those caring and willing to dedicate their lives to such work would do.
The group walked along the clear river. They met plenty of tourists as they walked. Of course, these people had been warned that they had to bring their trash along with them and that they were not to pollute their surroundings.
However, not everyone followed the rules. Furthermore, tens and thousands of tourists visit the popular tourist destination, and it was inevitable that someone might inadvertently leave behind trash.
The three stopped a few times and saw quite a bit of artificial trash.
Feng Lanchu’s heart felt heavy. “This place is not as accessible as the mainland. The trash here cannot be handled promptly and can only be degraded by nature. However, this would take a long time. Plus, the rate at which trash degrades in nature cannot catch up with the rate people produce trash. You have to know that the glaciers and snow here are the sources of our rivers and lakes. They are a solid barrier for the ecosystems in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, and the Yarlung Zangbo River. If even the water here is contaminated, we will have no water to drink.”
Feng Lanchu’s words shocked Jiang Anzhi and Li Yue.
Li Yue’s voice was a little hoarse when he said, “Before I took up this job, the director told me that this was a variety show that promotes the protection of our environment. I thought that we just had to encourage everyone to protect our environment. I did not expect that it would be something so serious.”
“Due to the unique environment and harsh weather conditions, most of Hoh Xil remains untouched by man. The behavior of wild animals, the ecological succession of plants, the changes of the rivers and lakes, the development of the land, and various other processes have never been affected or damaged by humankind. The changes you see here are the primitive natural evolution process. That is why this place is a natural laboratory for people to study the evolution of the alpine environment and its impact on the global environment.”
“I didn’t understand that.” Li Yue shook his head honestly. He had been known to be intelligent, but he guessed that that would end today.
“To put it simply, there are many endangered animals and plants in our country. The way to save them might be found in these primitive ecologies. This is what makes Hoh Xil so precious and why it is so important to protect it. As for endangered species, the disappearance of one species will affect 30 other related species. These 30 species will affect 30 other species each. The ecological pyramid is inter-linked, and the extinction of a species will have a domino effect. Guess what will happen in the end?”
“The end of mankind.” Jiang Anzhi said lightly by the side.
Feng Lanchu smiled. “That’s right. That is why there are so many people trying so hard to protect the environment. This is also one way to protect our home and to protect humankind.”
“Now that you have said it, I suddenly feel that what we are doing is very meaningful.” Li Yue raised the trash bag in his hand.
Feng Lanchu smiled and praised him. She spotted a snowy mountain behind a yellow rock mountain and smiled brightly.
“Look, that’s the Yuzhu Peak.”
Li Yue and Jiang Anzhi turned around in unison. They saw a snow-white mountain under the bright blue sky, its peak shrouded by clouds. The mountain was surrounded by other mountains and looked holy and dignified.
The mountain was far away from them, but they knew it very well.
“There is a large glacier under Yuzhu Peak. The snow on the peak melts to gather into lakes large and small in Hoh Xil. Of course, the snow on the peak is also the source of various rivers.
“It would be great if we can see it up close.” Li Yue sighed. Then, he suddenly thought of something and turned to look at the camera. He said, “Director if we finish our mission quickly over the next few days, can you take us to Yuzhu Peak?”
The director smiled and agreed, “Sure.”
The three of them became even more motivated after that.