Environmental issues such as the climate change and crisis of biodiversity seem too serious and complicate for children to fully understand, while an ongoing exhibition in Beijing shows that the younger members of society also want to participate in acts to make the Earth a better place for all living things.

An Alternative Life, held at the Ici Labas gallery through Nov 18, gathers paintings by Chinese and French youths aged between 4 and 16 to address topics related to environmental protection.

Originality, strength and passion erupt under the strokes of these young artists whose depictions vary from virtual worlds, nature and historical buildings on the planet. In their own simple, straightforward way of thinking, they are expressing concerns as genuinely as professionals, and trying to evoke the same feelings among their contemporaries.