Tiny Fins, Big Impact

Tiny Fin, Big Change is an environmental restoration campaign I founded to combat eutrophication in the Yangtze River, the primary water source for my hometown and over 14 million people. Growing up in a household beside the river, its constant brown hue left a lasting impression on me, the river looked tired. Driven by curiosity, I began monitoring changes in water quality and observing the surrounding ecosystem. When an old nanny laughed at my data sheet and asked if numbers could clean the river, I realized that real progress begins not with evidence, but with trust. Inspired by a small fish-release event I joined in primary school, I discovered bioremediation as a natural method for ecological restoration and later researched its effectiveness. By combining this scientific approach with community engagement, I mobilized local residents living along the river to take collective action. Together, we released over two million fish to help restore ecological balance by reducing algal overgrowth and improving water quality.