This chapter explores the environmental awareness of college students in China through the lens of Modern Transformational Leadership, emphasizing the critical role of youth as catalysts for ecological and societal change. Drawing on a first-hand survey of 272 university students in Shanghai, the study assesses their understanding of air pollution, water contamination, food safety, and the health implications of ambient environmental degradation. While advanced education is expected to foster new patterns of civic responsibility and ecological stewardship, our findings reveal a concerning gap: students exhibit limited knowledge of environmental challenges and express minimal urgency for public action. In contrast to the active environmental movements that emerged in affluent Western nations—where contentious activism and policy reform have led to measurable improvements in air quality—China’s youth appear to rely heavily on governmental assurances, often perceiving environmental policy as sufficient without demanding accountability or systemic change. This passive stance reflects a lack of opportunity for transformational leadership to emerge at the grassroots level. The political structure in China, particularly its one-party system, restricts the cultivation of individuals capable of inspiring collective action, as it discourages independent civic engagement and suppresses bottom-up reform initiatives. There is, however, a limited opportunity for change in leadership development associated with a transformation of environmental education, This chapter argues that such education can equip future leaders not only with technical knowledge but also with civic courage to confront ecological crises. In doing so, it can align with the mission of Modern Transformational Leadership: to cultivate individuals capable of inspiring collective action, challenging complacency, and shaping sustainable futures in one of the world’s most pivotal national contexts.