I made the acquaintance with Liang Congjie at a mourning ceremony for an animal protection volunteer who had died young. It was November 19, 2006, and even today I still clearly recall Liang['s red and swollen eyes when he took off his glasses to wipe away his tears. He was sitting beside me as I read a eulogy.

Mr. Liang Congjie, a history professor from an eminent family, was a leading figure in China's Environmental NGOs. [China.org.cn]

When we traded cards, his own – made from recycled scrap paper – surprised me with its list of titles: Chair of Friends of Nature, member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and history professor. My respect for this elderly man grew.

On making the acquaintance of the FON President Yang Dongping and Secretary-General Li Bo in the years to come, I found that their cards too were printed on scrap paper. This detail reflects FON's unassuming approach to protecting the environment, starting with the basics of everyday life.

Over the years Liang has continued to live up to these principles. In addition to his scrap-paper cards, Liang stores used water from the washing machine to flush the toilet. He boycotts the disposable chopsticks commonly seen in restaurants, and carries with him instead a small sac with a few sets of chopsticks for his family, friends and himself. He continued to ride his bicycle until 2006 when he had to stop at the age of 68 on medical advice.

According to Liang, enjoying life's comforts is a natural desire, but it would be a crime against nature if such a lifestyle is sustained at the price of environmental destruction. "Only a few years ago you would be regarded as a freak if you brought your own chopsticks to a restaurant. Now you just get a knowing smile from the waiter. That represents progress," says Liang, and continues: 'No empty slogans, no 'green savior' dramas – just do what you can in everyday life."

Liang is not the only FON member to follow these principles. Anyone who has met with FON members knows these facts: No disposable paper cups, no full glasses of water for FON guests, in-house publications with recycled paper. Their influence of their actions is growing. Many Environmental NGO volunteers now carry their own chopsticks and drinking glasses when going out. They also try to recycle name tags for reuse at meetings.

This "do what you can" style of environmental protection has been a focus of FON and other Chinese Environmental NGOs' campaigns. Since its founding in March 1994 FON has carried out a series of campaigns, such as saving the Yunnan golden monkey, proposing the relocation of the Capital Iron and Steel Plant to the Beijing municipal government, participating in the Salween River protection project, and protecting the Tibetan antelope.

Liang said, "Nobody can save the world alone, but there is hope as long as everybody exerts some control over their hands, their mouths, and their aspirations."