Global warming: good for soybeans, bad for everyone else
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Li Chao, an ice sculptor from Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. He has taken an interest in ice sculpture since childhood and now lives in Harbin.
The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival has a history of 25 years now. It is almost the same age as me. I have always loved snow and the fabulous ice sculptures since I was a child. They are one of the most beautiful memories one can have.
As an ice sculptor, I am very much concerned about the climate change. If we don't do anything about it now, we may never be able to see such beautiful exhibitions in the future. Every year, tourists from all over China and the world come to Harbin to enjoy the ice and snow sculpture festival. I think we are lucky. But if we want our children and the coming generations to appreciate such beautiful art, we have to start now to protect our environment.
Climate change has affected me too, although it hasn't been disastrous. In the last few years, Harbin has experienced a few warm winters. Usually the ice sculptures could keep for three months, but when it is a warm winter, the ice would melt at lunchtime and that is irreparable. In 2007, the winter was much warmer than usual and the top of my ice sculpture melted, which ruined the whole piece.
To other people, ice sculptures might only be art that looks pleasant and beautiful. But to me, they are my works and what I am as an artist. Therefore, it was heartbreaking to see them melt just because of the warm weather – something I had no control of.
This year, I noticed on the website of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival that 90 percent of the lighting will be LED (light-emitting di-ode) lights to save energy and promote a more environmentally friendly theme. It is a good sign. I think the authorities are beginning to realize the importance of green technology.
My life circle is quite small, but I can actually feel the effect that global warm-ing has on my life. I had no control of the melting pieces but if we think about it, it is something we can control and change. As long as we take a more rational look at our daily life, and adopt a greener lifestyle, I believe the ice sculptures will be seen and appreciated by generations to come.
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