China’s first youth climate striker, 18 year old Howey Ou, paid a visit to Totnes to meet other young campaigners for action on climate change. 

Inspired by Greta Thunberg’s example, Howey became the first (and only) climate striker in China while in high school.

After seeing thousands of young climate activists lead protests in their home countries, the teenager, from the southern Chinese city of Guilin, decided to try and bring attention to our shared climate crisis in hers.

She launched China’s first climate strike at the age of 16 in May 2019, standing in front of government offices in Guilin for several days - an action which led to Thunberg labelling her a "true hero"

After authorities told her she had to move on, owing to the fact she didn’t have a permit, Howey started planting trees in the surrounding areas in an attempt to continue drawing attention to the crisis.

She has been kicked out of school and interrogated by police for joining the School Strike for the Climate movement.

Despite the number of annual protests rising steadily in China since the early 90s activism is known to be quickly quelled by authorities, who see it as disrupting social stability and a challenge to their control.

This might explain why Howey is often a lone figure at her protests, frequently photographed striking from school by herself.

Speaking on the pavement outside St Mary’s church in Totnes, Howey talked about the motivation for her activism, and swapped notes with students from Sands School in Ashburton who have been involved in the Fridays for Future climate strikes in Devon.

Her stories included going on hunger strike at home to persuade her parents to stop buying single-use plastics. 

Howey said: "I appreciated coming to Totnes with the tranquil river Dart and the natural darkness at night.

"And I was moved by meeting the students.

"Their teacher reflected the value of listening to young people’s insights, going vegan after her daughter’s determined action on climate change when she was 16.

"The emergency is out there, swallowing hundreds of lives.

"Every second is precious. It is our choice to do or not do, time after time.

"History is written now, and what is the legacy we want to leave?"

Howey, who is int he UK to attend the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow next month, said she was keen to visit Totnes to learn about its Transition Town projects, and meet staff and students at Schumacher College. 

Two years ago, youth activist group Earth Uprising nominated Howey to attend the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in New York.

Earlier this year she was arrested in Switzerland after joining a protest to save a hill from excavation by the cement company LafargeHolcim.

Facing a fine of 1200 Swiss francs and a 60 day sentence, she went on hunger strike; the charges were dropped.