Working for a Green China – Lip Service or True Commitment? November 19, 2007

The Shanghai Foreign Correspondents Club Presents:
Working for a Green China – Lip Service or True Commitment?

mesa & manifesto
7p.m., Monday, November 19

China’s environmental problems are huge. People suffer from polluted air, poisoned water and soil, environmentally caused diseases. Abroad China is widely held responsible for global warming – in spite of constant claims by the Chinese government to promote environmental protection as a top priority issue. The slogan “Green Olympics” is a striking example for his policy. However, many wonder: Is the label “green” only lip service or does it reflect a true commitment? Professor Klaus Toepfer (69) followed China’s development as Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Since he resigned from that post in 2006 he regularly comes to Shanghai as visiting professor at Tongji University, where he teaches several months a year. His opinion: To accuse China of being the major polluter is not a way to solve global problems.

Venue details: Function room at mesa & manifesto
748 Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu (Tel:6289 9108)
Admission: Members 30 RMB; Non-members 70 RMB
RSVP: [email protected] by November 17
For more information about this event contact Astrid Freyeisen, [email protected]

About the Speaker:
The speaker, as introduced by the UN website: Klaus Toepfer is widely recognized as having spearheaded environmental policy as Minister of Environment in his home country Germany. He introduced ground breaking environmental regulations and laws. He actively contributed to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and was a forerunner in the negotiations for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the establishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Klaus Toepfer believes that environment policy is the peace policy of the future. It is crucial that we create a culture of cooperation and mutual respect between north and south, rich and poor if we want to avoid ever growing tensions in a world where water and other vital resources can no longer be taken for granted. Klaus Toepfer became Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in February 1998.

Official Website: http://www.fccsh.org/