China: it’s a country with the world’s largest number of Internet users, but it’s also a place where the social media is closely monitored by government officials for sensitive topics and supposed “rumors.”

And yet, despite the scrutiny, young Chinese environmentalists are finding a great deal of power online. Social media platforms like Sina Weibo are forging connections between citizen activists, funders and government officials. Abuses of power are being limited by the threat of public outrage, easily whipped up online.

In this radio piece for Public Radio International’s Living on Earth, one social media entrepreneur goes so far as to tell me that Weibo has been “God’s greatest gift to the Chinese people.” You can listen here, at Living on Earth’s website.

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