"The term 'climate change' is still strange to many residents, even though they have experienced specific changes in local climatic conditions," she said. Despite the recruitment of qualified climate pioneers, motivating participation from more such enthusiasts remains a challenge, He said.

But she stressed that the foundation is determined to forge ahead with the initiative, adding that it has adjusted its strategy in the hope of making breakthroughs.

This year, in implementing the initiative, the foundation targeted communities and urban villages that have experienced flooding due to typhoons, He said, adding, "We want to focus our attention on vulnerable communities and groups."

Huang Yingxin, another employee at the foundation working on implementing the initiative, said some people joined the campaign to grow plants simply because they wanted to improve the atmosphere in their communities. Few people, however, are interested in climate change.

Despite this, Huang Qiwen, one of the climate pioneers, is confident that the work she has done with the foundation will yield positive results.

She cited a large stump left after a tree was blown down in a recent typhoon, and a tall concrete threshold at the gate to an old building in her community as examples of the looming hazards of climate change.

Huang Qiwen said the building dates to before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, but the concrete threshold built in recent years to prevent rainwater penetrating the structure fails to match the elegance of the architecture.

In the short term, efforts made by the foundation may not influence many people, or help change their mindsets, but as long as there are participants, changes will be made some day, Huang Qiwen said.

"There might be no change this year, but we have planted a seed in people's minds. For sure, this seed will sprout in the future," she added.