Known as the roof of the "World Roof," the Ali prefecture of Tibet boasts an average altitude of 4,500 meters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and harsh weather of wind and frost. However, this pristine land is being polluted by litters. On her tour from Mount Kailash to the ruins of the Guge Kingdom, Wu Guyi found that every meter along National Highway 219 was scattered with plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Determined to change such a situation, she started her journey of cleaning and filled two garbage bags after just 100 meters of walking. 

Several years ago, Wu Guyi resigned from her job to embark on a journey to travel around China. Once an ordinary employee at a logistics company in Shenzhen, she found herself in the depth of despair due to aging and emotional setbacks. In search of meaning in life, she took up fitness and scuba diving training, gradually regaining her confidence, and then decided to explore more possibilities through travel. In 2022, she purchased a vehicle and several equipment, starting her self-drive journey. Since then, she has traveled to Tibet three times and has carved her footsteps on the land of Xinjiang, Northeast China, and the southern borders.

In 2024, 34-year-old Wu Guyi entered Tibet for the sixth time, combining her travels with environmental protection. Inspired by public welfare organizations, she began picking up litter during her journeys while documenting her actions on social media. From September to December, she dedicated 29 consecutive days to litter picking, spreading environmental protection awareness across the Tibetan Plateau. She also designed banners and vests emblazoned with the slogan "Polish the Earth, Let's Act Together," encouraging more people to join her efforts. However, despite having 300,000 followers on social media, few have genuinely responded to her call.

Throughout her trash-cleaning endeavors, Wu Guyi faced various challenges. In Genhe City of Inner Mongolia, she struggled through a fever while enduring freezing nights in a car at -35℃. In the high-altitude regions of Tibet, she overcame high altitude sickness to persist in cleaning up trash along rivers and roadsides. Though the work is tough, witnessing the littered land becoming cleaner brings her a profound sense of accomplishment.

"While individual efforts may seem trivial, spreading awareness through videos can inspire more people to care about environmental protection," Wu Guyi expressed. She acknowledged that the issue of littering is severe and stressed the urgency of improving environmental awareness. "I hope to inspire more people to join me and take action to safeguard our shared home."

Source: Lingnan on the Cloud

世界屋脊上的拾荒者吴谷一：还高原山野间一片洁净

作为“世界屋脊的屋脊”，西藏阿里地区平均海拔4500米，风霜交替、雪山环绕。然而，这片净土却遭遇垃圾污染。吴谷一在冈仁波齐至古格王朝遗址的旅途中发现，219国道沿途每一米都散落着饮料瓶和易拉罐。她试图用自己的行动改变现状，在一次清理中，她仅走100米便装满两个垃圾袋。

几年前，吴谷一辞职开启“环游中国”之旅。她曾是深圳一家物流公司的普通职员，但因年龄增长和情感挫折陷入低谷。为寻找生活意义，她投身健身与潜水培训，逐渐找回自信，并决定通过旅行探寻人生的更多可能。2022年，她购买车辆及装备，开始自驾旅程，至今已三次进藏，足迹遍布新疆、东北和南方边境。 

2024年，34岁的吴谷一第六次踏入西藏，将旅行与环保相结合。受到公益组织启发，她开始在旅途中拾捡垃圾，并通过自媒体平台记录行动。从9月至12月，她连续29天捡垃圾，沿青藏高原传播环保理念。她还设计了印有“擦亮地球，你我同行”的旗帜和马甲，鼓励更多人加入行动。然而，尽管拥有30万粉丝，真正响应者却寥寥无几。

在清理垃圾的过程中，吴谷一经历了种种挑战。在内蒙古根河，她曾感染发烧，在零下35摄氏度的车中熬过极寒夜晚；在西藏高海拔地区，她克服高原反应，坚持清理河道和路边的垃圾。虽然辛苦，但看着一片片土地变得干净，她感受到满满的成就感。

“个人力量虽小，但通过视频传播，可以影响更多人关注环保。”吴谷一坦言，垃圾污染问题严重，环保意识提升迫在眉睫。“希望能感染更多人参与，用行动守护我们共同的家园。”

文｜羊城晚报记者 谭洁文 实习生 庄嘉怡
图｜受访者提供
译｜洪婷
英文审校｜林佳岱