Howey Ou

Howey Ou’s environmental activism began with a personal revelation concerning the connection between human actions and the natural world. A pivotal moment occurred during a winter vacation at home when she encountered brochures from the Chinese Vegan Association, detailing global warming, land misuse, animal misery, and the health benefits of a vegan diet. This extensive reading led her to experiment with a vegetarian diet, a decision that sparked numerous discussions and conflicts with relatives. A year later, in 2018, a vivid dream solidified her commitment to preventing harm to living creatures, further deepening her understanding of her relationship with nature and her resolve to advocate for environmental causes.

At the age of 16, in late May 2019, Ou commenced a school strike for climate in Guilin, holding homemade banners in front of City Hall to demand more immediate and robust action against climate change. This act garnered international attention, with Greta Thunberg commending her as a “true hero.” Following her protest, authorities intervened, stating she lacked a permit, and her WeChat account was blocked. Despite these challenges, she organized a “Plant for Survival” campaign in September 2019, using her own funds to plant trees around Guilin. Her commitment to activism led to her being barred from returning to school for a period. In 2019, the youth activist group Earth Uprising nominated her to attend the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, recognizing her dedication to the global climate movement.

Howey Ou’s activism has extended beyond China’s borders. In April 2021, she initiated a three-day hunger strike in Lausanne, Switzerland, to protest environmental damage and a prison sentence she received for demonstrating against the expansion of a limestone quarry. In 2024, the Supreme Court of Switzerland acquitted her of charges, ruling that she had not obstructed police action. Throughout her career, Ou has consistently called for collective effort to achieve climate justice, emphasizing the urgent need for global leaders to address the climate crisis. She maintains contact with other environmental activists, such as Zhao Jiaxin, and advocates for individual actions like vegetarianism, a lifestyle her parents also adopted due to her influence.