In 2016, during a high-profile business forum filled with top industry leaders, while everyone was discussing the latest business trends, Jack Ma, with a serious expression, spoke passionately about environmental issues.
It all started when he visited Northwest China. Upon landing, he was greeted by a fierce sandstorm, with streets full of yellow dust, making it hard to even walk. The farmland was being relentlessly swallowed by the desert. This scene struck him deeply, leading him to make a firm decision: he would contribute to combating desertification.
Returning to Hangzhou, Ma quickly gathered his team and proposed a plan to plant trees in the desert, setting a goal of planting 1 billion trees each year. The news spread, and people were skeptical. Some thought it was a publicity stunt, while others awaited the project’s failure. But Jack Ma remained unfazed.
He launched the Ant Forest program, encouraging the public to reduce carbon emissions in daily activities, such as walking, taking public transport, or making online payments. The more green energy users generated, the more trees Ant Financial (now Ant Group) would plant in the real world. The goal was to turn desertification around, and Ma chose areas like Alxa in Inner Mongolia and Wuwei in Gansu—two of the most severely desertified regions in China.
People could choose which type of trees to plant, track detailed planting data, and witness the project’s tangible results. Ma wanted to leverage the convenience of Alipay to inspire users to feel the joy of environmental conservation while benefiting from the platform.
Amid skepticism, the project delivered impressive results in its first year, planting 1.31 million trees. The following year, the number soared to 13 million, growing exponentially. This impressive growth was a result of collective efforts, as people took part in reducing carbon emissions and gaining energy to support the planting efforts.
Desertification is a serious problem in China, affecting both human survival and economic development. Planting trees in the desert is no easy task. The lack of water is notorious, so workers often had to transport water over long distances, and extreme conditions posed constant challenges. One sandstorm could destroy months of work. The soil was barren, not suitable for trees to grow. To address this, the team planted drought-resistant trees and worked to improve soil fertility.
The desert climate is harsh, with scorching heat during the day and freezing cold at night. The young saplings, like vulnerable infants, were at risk of being blown away by strong winds. To counter this, the project team set up windbreak nets to protect the trees and regularly maintained them to ensure survival.
Ant Forest gained widespread popularity, but it also faced criticism. In 2021, a video showing barren land in Alxa sparked online discussions, with some questioning whether the project was genuine. However, Jack Ma and his team responded proactively by inviting media and experts for on-site inspections, revealing that the trees were growing slowly due to the harsh environment. They were small saplings in the first year, easily buried by sand, making them hard to spot from a distance. Only up close could people appreciate the tiny yet resilient seedlings.
By 2023, Ant Forest had over 600 million users, with 1.8 billion tons of carbon emissions saved and 4 billion trees planted, covering an astonishing 4.5 million acres. This is equivalent to the area of 450 Forbidden Cities. As these figures were released, the critics grew silent.
Nine years later, what has happened to the trees in the desert? The answer is encouraging. In Alxa, once filled with yellow sand, rows of Saussurea trees have begun to grow, spreading green across the land. Some areas now even see rabbits and wild goats hopping around. In the Gansu desert, sand willows have taken root, creating natural barriers against wind and sand.
Local residents now say that their crops are no longer buried under sand, and they no longer worry about their hard-earned crops being destroyed by sandstorms. In Qinghai, poplar trees have taken root, and the number of birds has increased, bringing the land to life.
Beyond environmental benefits, Ant Forest also created over 15,000 jobs in rural areas, such as forest rangers and planting workers, improving livelihoods. The afforestation project also boosted eco-tourism in Alxa, with visitors coming to see the oasis in the desert and buy local products, further benefiting farmers.
Official statistics show that 31 biodiversity conservation zones have been established, with more than 1,600 species of plants and animals finding new habitats here. The desert is no longer a dead zone but a vibrant ecosystem.
Through this project, Jack Ma has proven that transforming deserts into oases is not just a dream. Environmental protection is not just the work of one person but the collective effort of millions. The oasis that grew amidst skepticism is destined to continue making history, becoming a testament to China’s ecological achievements.
References:
- Ant Forest Official Reports
- Green Energy Usage Data from Alipay
- Biodiversity Conservation Stats from Local Authorities
