Yi Yun Cheng
Polar Participant
While couch surfing in Austria in 2015, Yi Yun’s life took a profound turn. There, her hosts introduced her to the “nature is our neighbour” lifestyle, which promotes simple but enriched living and caring for nature. Soon after, she was inviting the friends made during her travels to explore her home country of Taiwan. She also launched a 50-episode podcast featuring interviews with adventurers from around the world and organised “Outdoorpals Day,” where people team up to embrace the outdoors. Why does she do it? Yi Yun wants Taiwan’s future generations to have memories of the island’s profound beauty that are as vivid as her own. It is becoming more challenging as climate change alters the landscape. To pursue her goal Yi Yun is giving a voice to Taiwan’s natural playground, by establishing a parade for fellow outdoor enthusiasts to rally for the environment. Collaborating with outdoor brands like Fjällräven, the first parade was in 2023.