Here is the ideal paradigm of how greeneries can be a strong barrier against destructive natural forces.
Inner Mongolia claims to have successfully done just that by building a living barrier of trees, grass and shrubs wide enough to hold the Gobi desert back, curbing the sandstorms that blow over northeast Asia hitting the United States.
Call it precisely the ‘Green Wall of China’ it is designed to act as a buffer between Beijing and the expanding desert, just 120 miles away from the living hub. This wall seems to be mimicking the original Great Wall by straddling a patchwork of counties in several Northern provinces, which include arid Hebei and Shanxi.
The barrier seems to be effective against the strong sandstorms originating from the heart of the desert, with their numbers being significantly reduced by the forest — from 18 in 2001 to the number falling to none this year!
Though the number of sandstorms occurred in Beijing may be disputed, it is well established that it can effectively help Beijing keep its pledge to stage a ‘green’ and ‘environmentally friendly’ Olympics next year, officials hope.
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