Students from Beijing Yucai School introduce their DIY low-carbon products at an Earth Day activity on April 22, 2010. [CnDG]

"I find most of my classmates throw away their old pens rather than using refills. It’s a great waste. I bought some refills and gave them to my classmates to show them how to live a low-carbon lifestyle," said a 13-year-old girl at a schools activity to celebrate the 41st World Earth Day on April 22, 2010.

Aimed at promoting a low-carbon lifestyle among the younger generation, the schools activity attracted about 200 people from educational, environmental and social organizations.

At the opening ceremony, students from Beijing Yucai junior high school showed their DIY low-carbon products.

"This is a storage box made from shoe boxes and a table cloth. I made it to store small things such as keys, mirrors and battery chargers. It saves money and the shoe box as well," a junior one boy said.

"More importantly, it saves the resources that would be used to make a new storage box and cuts waste," he added.

A female student used a soft-drinks bottle, a towel and some water to make an air humidifier.

"In winter, people get dehydrated so I made this simple humidifier," the junior-two girl said, "Put half the towel into the bottle, tie the other half to the radiator then add some water to the bottle. The heater evaporates the water, and the room becomes more humid."

"I was inspired by the students' innovative ideas. I have learned from them how to produce low-carbon products and will follow their example," said a volunteer from the Beijing Red Cross Society.

Bao Anda, a junior-one student, took his father, mother, grandpa and grandma to the opening ceremony. All the family members follow a low-carbon lifestyle. They use fans instead of air conditioners in the summer, use eco-friendly bags rather than plastic ones, and always travel on public transport.

"I think everyone should adopt a low-carbon lifestyle. Starting with ourselves, starting right now, let us save every drop of water, cherish our forests and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, to protect the environment, and protect the Earth," Bao said.

The Earth Day activity was organized by the Beijing Red Cross Society, Roots & Shoots, Beijing Yucai School and the Earth Day Network. Activities will go on for eight months until December, 2010.