Top Chinese stars lend voices to Nature Is Speaking

Though the film's initiators predict the dubbed series will attract many more clicks in China than its English version in the United States, it is not expected to be broadcast on TV, because TV stations will need to cut some parts because of time limits.

Nevertheless, Pu is calling for the series to be shown in more public places, such as trains or airplanes, to reach more people.

Seligmann says his organization plans to release a smartphone app based on the film in the next few months in China.

Seligmann considers the release of the short film to be just a small step in a long-term plan to connect with China since Conservation International began its projects in the country in 2002.

Other than its early efforts on biodiversity programs, the organization has launched several major projects with a wider range in recent years.

For example, the organization has cooperated with the State Oceanic Administration to develop an ocean-health index. It has also established community-level agriculture projects in China's countryside.

"The United States was aware of environmental health issues earlier than China. But I see less political debate here than in the United States to have a clear recognition of the issues and give them top priority," Seligmann says.