June is National Pollinators Month, a timely reminder that the birds, bees, bats, and butterflies we often overlook—or even fear—are actually among the most critical workers in our global ecosystem. These pollinators are more than fleeting visitors to summer picnics or creatures we instinctively shoo away. They are, in fact, essential laborers in maintaining biodiversity, food production, and the stability of our natural systems.

We are living through an unprecedented collapse of biodiversity. Scientists estimate that species are going extinct at a rate not seen in human history, with one million plant and animal species now at risk of disappearance. While climate change and habitat loss are well-known culprits, there is another, less visible force helping to accelerate this crisis: biodiversity crime. 

Huzhou always leaves me quietly inspired. I've now visited six times, and each return reveals something new—not only in policy or innovation but in the air, the water, and the spirit of the city itself. Nestled beside the tranquil Taihu Lake and just an hour's high-speed train ride from Shanghai, Huzhou has become one of the most dynamic places in China, where environmental vision meets real-world use.