Villagers assist in the planting of trees in Yulin, Shaanxi province, in June. [TAO MING/XINHUA]

Learn from discussions

Zhang, from the China Meteorological Administration, was a member of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, during which he served in the agricultural group.

"This year, we advisers in this group will be sitting together on many occasions to discuss various issues. A proposal or policy involves many government sectors, scholars and social organizations, and with the platform in this advisory body, we can sit and learn from each other about the latest developments of a certain issue and people's concerns," he said.

"Officials and scholars communicate with each other, which is helpful to the generation of great ideas. The process reflects the consultative democracy in China's political system. It also provides a platform for scientists and experts to share their views directly with government officials to implement good suggestions in the decision-making process in a faster and more efficient way."

This year, Zhang said he will put forward a proposal that the government should make preparations to build cities that can adapt to climate change at an early stage as the world has been undergoing extreme weather in recent years.

"When building cities, we should consider whether the buildings can withstand potential disasters, such as heat waves, while the sewage capacity can be tested by rainstorms in the future to ensure people's safety," he said.

"As a science and technology expert in the fields of environment and climate, I really hope to use my professional knowledge to protect Mother Earth by making suggestions via the advisory body."