China is dealing with multiple challenges as it faces a changing world. Their contribution to the climate crisis and environmental degradation as a result of their industrial revolution is now recognized by the Communist Party as a primary threat to their economy and social order. At the same time, forces inside the party and its business community are pushing for even greater exploitation and development. Some traditions keep China in the past while others propel it forward.
David and Allison Roberts recently visited China on a cultural and speaking tour focused on China’s aspiration to establish an “ecological civilization.” Their travels offered a rare glimpse at the government’s efforts to re-align China’s current economic and social challenges with a vision of a more sustainable and resilient future – one where “Green is Gold.” David and Allison will share their insights from their travels and study of China’s current path and show how the future of the planet is deeply tied to China’s goals.
David and Allison were introduced to staff and associates of the Institute for Post-Modern China at Claremont College in the Spring of 2019. These folks are part of a movement to help China establish an ecological civilization. China’s industrialization efforts since the late 1970’s have resulted in an ecological disaster in China and air pollution that threatens the future of the planet. At the same time, civil unrest due to pollution, food contamination, and now disease threatens to topple the government.
As part of the Institute’s efforts, they bring knowledgeable people to China and provide opportunities for them to speak with local government leaders and university faculty on topics related to ecological civilization. David and Allison traveled to China in September 2019 where they spoke five times in three locations: Beijing, Lishui, and Pu’er. All three locations have pilot communities that are implementing actions supporting the creation of an ecological civilization. David and Allison were provided an amazing look at how a totalitarian government promotes an effort to rebalance the needs of the environment, people and business. They will be sharing insights from the trip supported by additional research since their return.
BIO:David Roberts is co-owner and principal at Kulshan Services, a consulting firm in Bellingham, where his focus is on watershed management, climate change and community resilience. He has worked in Washington and other places around the world for 35 years. His most recent work involved the facilitation of the City of Bellingham’s Climate Action Task Force.
BIO:Allison Roberts, co-owner of Kulshan Services, is an outreach and communications specialist. She taught school for ten years and has worked the last 20 years in the nonprofit and government sectors providing executive project support, citizen engagement, public outreach, and event planning. Her passion is working on programs that benefit kids and the planet.
