Zhu Hongxing
Since the dawn of human civilization, mankind has been struggling against floods for thousands of years. To fundamentally resolve flood disasters and bid farewell to the historical curse of barren mountains and turbulent waters, it is imperative to build a system of Green Sponge Mountains and Rivers—that is, to restore the natural capacity of the land to absorb, store, conserve, and regulate water.
By constructing such green sponge landscapes, a nation can simultaneously achieve prosperity, full employment for all citizens, permanently eliminate flood hazards, and actively prevent climate warming.
I. Building Green Sponge Mountains and Rivers Requires Extraordinary Determination
To realize such a grand vision, extraordinary courage is required—courage akin to cutting off one’s own arm to save one’s life. It demands readiness to sacrifice partial and short-term interests for the sake of long-term survival and prosperity.
All land suitable for ecological restoration—including the so-called “Four Wastelands” (barren mountains, barren gullies, barren hills, and barren riverbanks)—should be auctioned to farmers, urban residents, returning entrepreneurs, and even unemployed college graduates. They should be allowed to operate real economic entities on this land through independent entrepreneurship, with private ownership, inheritance rights, and long-term stable operation.
After fifty years, every inch of national territory can become a green sponge landscape.
II. Turning Ideals into Reality Through Institutional Guarantees
The state should enact a comprehensive set of laws dedicated to the construction of green sponge mountains and rivers. Existing laws and regulations must be revised accordingly to accommodate this goal.
This includes transforming certain contracted land-use arrangements into auction-based ownership, upgrading fixed-term land rights into permanent property rights, and allowing residential housing to be built on previously restricted “Four Wastelands.” Government authorities should issue official certificates for such operations, while relevant departments conduct oversight.
Agricultural and forestry agencies, specialized banks, professional auditing institutions, and dedicated courts should all participate in this system. To achieve this, governments must fully liberate their thinking and demonstrate the courage to make decisive reforms—better to sacrifice a finger than lose the entire arm; better to lose an arm than lose one’s life.
Governments must abandon jealousy and resist anti-wealth sentiment. In matters of fundamental importance, decision-makers should choose the lesser of two harms and the greater of two benefits. Once this psychological barrier is overcome, humanity’s ecological revival will be within reach.
III. Making Greening the Largest Employment Program
Within each city and county, “Four Wastelands” should, in principle, be developed by local farmers and residents. In rural areas, people may operate farms, forests, ranches, agricultural processing facilities, and even rural eco-tourism projects. In suburban areas, urban residents can be guided to participate in ecological agriculture and green investment.
The guiding principle should be: suitable for farming—farm; suitable for forestry—forest; suitable for grazing—pasture; or mixed operations to maximize efficiency.
Auctions of “Four Wastelands” should be conducted within clearly defined small watersheds or appropriate boundaries, using a sealed-bid, highest-price-wins method. Bidders may submit only one bid. After winning, they may form voluntary partnerships, with ownership shares determined by investment proportions.
Auction proceeds should be divided such that the state receives a portion while village collectives receive the majority (proceeds from land sold to urban residents belong entirely to the state). Collective funds should primarily be used for infrastructure—roads, water supply, electricity, and other essentials. Governments may also provide high-quality seeds, saplings, fertilizers, machinery, and full-cycle support services.
Unemployed college graduates should be encouraged to participate through interest-free or low-interest loans, enabling them to return to their hometowns and realize personal value through ecological restoration.
Likewise, wealthy entrepreneurs can be encouraged to lead large-scale efforts to transform deserts and Gobi regions—turning wastelands into oases, restoring lakes and springs, attracting wildlife, developing fisheries, and building new cities. The sky will turn blue, the water clear, the land green, and people prosperous. In the near future, all continents may become a true human paradise.
IV. Coordinated Development of Green Agriculture, Forestry, and Pastoral Systems
Farms:
Farming should gradually transition toward “contract farming,” whereby production is determined by market demand in advance. This prevents overproduction, waste, and economic losses.
Farms may sign long-term supply contracts with factories, schools, supermarkets, and residential communities, providing grain, vegetables, fruits, and other products. Brand development and trademark registration should be encouraged to build modern branded agriculture.
Suppliers must provide pollution-free green food, avoiding pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and harmful additives. Buyers may prepay deposits or help build sales facilities. Mutual trust, integrity, and win-win cooperation should be the foundation.
Forests:
Forestry operations should adopt a combined approach of enclosure, conservation, and ecological restoration.
Pastures:
Pastoral systems are indispensable but should follow ecological suitability. Even a pasture need not raise all types of livestock. In most regions, enclosed feeding is preferable.
Special emphasis is placed on alfalfa, known as the “King of Forage Crops.” As a perennial plant, it yields multiple harvests annually, is highly nutritious, and suitable for most livestock. Using alfalfa can reduce feed grain consumption by over 50%, which has profound implications for food security.
V. Forests: Humanity’s Key Weapon Against Climate Warming
According to meteorological data, 2024 was the hottest year in recorded human history. Global warming is accelerating. In 2018, the United Nations Climate Summit (COP) in Incheon, South Korea, warned that climate change could spiral out of control within twelve years.
Some scientists predict that in two thousand years, Earth may become uninhabitable due primarily to climate factors. However, with early planning and decisive action, such disasters can be avoided or significantly delayed.
The primary cause of global warming is the rising concentration of carbon dioxide, creating the greenhouse effect. Large-scale afforestation and vegetation restoration are among the most decisive solutions.
A ten-year-old tree can absorb approximately 22 kilograms of CO₂ annually. One acre of forest can absorb about 2.5 tons of CO₂ per year. Experts estimate that 32.1 billion acres of forest—roughly four acres per person worldwide—are needed to curb global warming.
Forests absorb sunlight, lower surface temperatures, release oxygen, improve soil quality, protect freshwater resources, and reduce reliance on steel and concrete. Slower but higher-quality economic growth is a responsible development philosophy for future generations.
This grand blueprint fully accords with natural laws and scientific principles. If implemented, it would yield immediate and profound benefits. The real question is whether it aligns with the mindset and determination of decision-makers. Once action is taken with truth-seeking and bold reform, it will become a blessing for all humanity.
Author Biography
Zhu Hongxing is an accomplished scholar, poet, and social thinker. Born in Xu Village—a recognized National Historic and Cultural Village located in Huozhou, Shanxi Province, China—he earned his Bachelor’s degree from the Department of History at Shanxi Normal University.
Mr. Zhu is a distinguished member of the China Poetry Society, the Chinese Association on Tobacco Control, and the Overseas Chinese Writers Association. He has authored and published eight influential works, including The Global Village and Zhu Hongxing’s Thirty-Six Stratagems. Notably, he is the founder of the "Global Village-ism" (地球村主义) ideological theory, which has garnered recognized international academic and social attention.
In March 2019, he founded the Global Village Peace Organization in New York City, USA, where he currently serves as President. He presently resides and conducts his research and advocacy work in New York.
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