John D. Liu and the Lessons of the Loess Plateau, -- Ecosystem Restoration Camps

Meeting John Dennis Liu turned my life around. I met the Chinese American journalist and filmmaker one evening in a yurt in Shaftsbury, Vermont, in 2017. He shared with a few Vermonters his documentary film detailing the restoration of the Loess Plateau, an area the size of Belgium located in Western China. It was restored from stark desert to lush vegetation over a period of 10 years, starting in 1998. The project proved that it is possible to turn our desertified environment around in a short period of time. We CAN save our climate through ecorestoration. A revelation to me, and now my passion for our future.

Subsequent to his trip to Vermont, John went on to Spain to establish the first Ecosystem Restoration Camp at Altiplano. Now, six years later, there are at least 43 camps in 30 countries on 6 continents. John continues to work in establishing even more, and educating people about his work.

You can see many inspiring YouTube videos featuring John Liu, Restoration of the Loess Plateau, and Ecosystem Restoration Camps. Take a look.

Lessons of the Loess Plateau, entire documentary, 52 minutes

John Dennis Liu talking with Permacuturalist Matt Powers, 3.3 minutes

Ecosystem Restoration Camps: website and video

We’ll have more good news stories of John D. Liu and his work in further newsletters. Stay tuned! and subscribe for more Good News for the Climate. Remember, you too can contribute to ecosystem restoration just by planting and nurturing something in your garden or windowbox! And by understanding that restoring our lands is even more important than simply cutting carbon emissions. More on that later, too…