Global Citizens

Yangtze, China – the world’s second largest river

The Yangtze River, originating on the Tibetan Plateau and flowing into the East China Sea at Shanghai, is 6300 km long. Its collection area comprises one-fifth of China, and almost one third of the country’s population derive their life-supporting water from this giant river. But the ecological threats this heavily exploited river faces are enormous: erosion in the mountains, an increasing number of dams and hydro-power stations that interrupt the flow of water, pollution from various industries, and overuse of water by agricultural systems. Through a joint programme with Chinese NGOs and experts, supported by the Ministry of Education and UNESCO, Swarovski is teaching children in 3 locations along the river about sustainability in hopes of preserving it.