The public has become a leading force in environmental protection, according to a report released by a non-governmental organization on Thursday.

The Green Book of Environment, made by Friends of Nature, said more residents are becoming involved in environmental protection and they have learned how to effectively affect authorities' decision-making.

In the past, the public tolerated infringements on their environmental rights, and they would turn to laws only when their losses became unbearable. Now people believe it is their natural right to be involved in environmental protection and that their participation helps make government's decisions more efficient, said the report.