Is China's Future Green?

By Camden Conference | Jan 03, 2011

Solar Conference Center in Dezhou, China China has invested time, talent and lots of money in the research and development of alternative energy and green technology. The 2008 Olympics pressured Beijing to ramp up construction and respond to concerns about air quality, transportation and infrastructure. The state-controlled capitalism of the People's Republic of China wrapped much of the development of the Olympics in green. New government policies call for decreasing energy use on all new construction by 65 percent before 2020. Support is provided for 11'Green City' development projects across the country and 140 new green buildings are under construction in Beijing and Shanghai.

This past October, (Unity College President) Mitch and Cindy Thomashow traveled to China to visit one of those projects.  The Thomashows were invited by Huang Ming, Chair of Himin Solar Corporation, the world's largest producer of solar hot water heaters.  Unity College gave Huang Ming one of the solar panels from the Jimmy Carter White House. The college acquired them after Reagan had them dismantled and removed. One panel now resides at the Smithsonian, one at the Jimmy Carter Museum in Atlanta and in early September one joined the collection of the Solar Science and Technology Museum built by Huang Ming in Dezhou, China.

During their trip, the Thomashows saw first-hand how a formidable China is combining size, strength, vision and ability in its run to become world leader in the alternative energies race.  Join them for a presentation of images and impressions from their eye-opening journey on Friday, January 14, at the Rockport Opera House. The event begins at 6:30 PM and is free and open to all.

About the speakers: Mitchell Thomashow is the President of Unity College. Mitchell Thomashow is the President of Unity College. He serves as co-chair of the Steering Committee for the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and he is on the board of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. He is the author of two books, Bringing the Biosphere Home: Learning to Perceive Global Environmental Change and Ecological Identity, both published by the MIT Press. He speaks internationally on issues related to sustainability. Cindy Thomashow is Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Education at Unity College. Cindy and Mitch make their home in Unity House, an energy independent, zero carbon, LEED Platinum dwelling that symbolizes the college's commitment to sustainability.

Is China's Future Green? is presented by the Camden Conference and the Rockport Public Library offered as a free community event in anticipation of the 24th Annual Camden Conference: The Challenges of Asia, February 18-20, 2011, featuring keynote Chas W. Freeman, Jr.  For more information, please call 236-1034 or visit www.camdenconference.org.