Journey to the Center of the Earth, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, Around the World in Eighty Days…..Many of us should have seen the movies or read the Chinese translation of these marvelous stories originally written by renowned French novelist Jules Gabriel Verne of the 19^th century.

Dubbed the “Father of Science Fiction”, Jules Verne has been the most translated French author in the world including China. His novels have inspired the imagination on science of generations of people around the globe. It is amazing to learn that Jules Verne was also prophetic in pointing out the importance of sustainability at his time when this subject had been given a grudging role. His extraordinary stories shed light on human beings’ relationship with the blue planet and, more generally, with our environment. The sea as described in Jules Verne's novels is also a place inhabited by marine curiosities, a very well documented fauna and flora, multicolored fish, sharks, whales, giant algae, shells, underwater forests... People could learn many lessons from reading Jules Verne's books in terms of protecting nature and respecting biodiversity, especially marine biodiversity. These points of views are still, in fact even more valid in today’s world.

On November 4, the French Embassy to China unveiled its annual “Franco-Chinese Month of Environment” which is entitled “Blue Planet”. Throughout the month, a series of educational, cultural and scientific activities are scheduled to be staged in some 20 Chinese cities to call for the public’s attention on the current environmental challenges of the globe, and more importantly how everyone could pitch in upholding a sustainable world.

The climate change and the loss of biodiversity are threats that both Europe and China face. Building together a common understanding of those challenges and looking together for solutions will in the end enable mankind to fight more efficiently against climate change and to protect better biodiversity and to adapt to a warmer planet.

One of the first activities of the 2022 Franco-Chinese Month of Environment centers upon Jules Verne and his advocacy, curiosity, passion and care towards the environment especially oceans. For instance, Jules Verne had Captain Nemo say in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea: “…The sea is the vast reservoir of Nature. The globe began with sea, so to speak; and who knows if it will not end with it? There lies supreme tranquility. The sea does not belong to tyrants...”

On November 5, a soiree on Jules Verne took place in Institut Francais in Beijing. French and Chinese scholars including Ludo Andreas, Marie Pierre Demarcq, Huang Ting, Samuel Sadaune and Xing He introduced to audience how Verne voiced his eco-advocacy in his novels. Through this soiree, Chinese and French scholars as well as the public exchanged views on literature and environment.     

On the same day, the finale of a French declamation contest for Chinese university students with the theme “Blue Planet in Jules Verne’s Works” was also staged in Institut Francais Beijing. More than 100 applications were received from all over China.

The event turned out to be a solid proof of friendship and common value on cultural exchange. The first prize was a voucher for French books from the French bookshop l’Arbre du voyageur, in Beijing. The first prize winner wrote to the French Embassy after the competition to suggest sharing her prize with the two other finalists. She wrote a very touching letter highlighting that those who learn French have a lot in common, including a passion for Franco-Chinese exchanges, “like trees growing together in the same forest”. She argued the vouchers will give them all access to resources that will help them continue their learning journey.

The French Embassy to China has been organizing the Franco-Chinese Month of Environment since 2014. You can find all the events organized during the Franco-Chinese Month of Environment” on the website 法国文化 (French Culture).