February 23, 2021  | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. (Pacific ST)
February 23, 2021 | 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. (Eastern ST)
February 24, 2021 | 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. (China ST)

On February 23th, 2021, The California-China Climate Institute hosted a virtual Illich-style conversation amongst United States and international academics, policymakers, experts and advocates to discuss points from the thought-provoking book, "China Goes Green: Coercive Environmentalism for a Troubled Planet," authored by Judith Shapiro & Yifei Li. Carl Mitcham gave a brief introduction on Ivan Illich, followed by former Governor Jerry Brown who spoke on Illich’s provocative ideas and his spirit of open inquiry in his view of the world. Reflections by Dr. Judith Shapiro, Director of the Dual Degree in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development in the School of International Service, and Dr. Yifei Lee, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies in NYU Shanghai, covered a range of topics from their book, including, the growing notion in literature of authoritarian environmentalism; ecological migration and civilization; ecological rehabilitation efforts; global environmental impacts of the Belt and Road initiative; and issues concerning the global commons. Following this was an open discussion on what China is doing within the country at home with Ran Ran, Associate Professor of Political Science in the School of International Studies in the Renmin University of China, and Yongmou Liu, Professor in the School of Philosophy in the Renmin University of China. Professor Ran discussed her key findings in research on obstacles to climate governance in China. Professor Liu reflected on the potential for environmental issues to be approached from a more technical standpoint with less ideology. The panel then experienced a beautiful musical performance by Richard Festinger, Composer of Icarus in Flight, commissioned by ClimateMusic, which uses historical information to control certain aspects of music (such as carbon emissions which control frequency range). The music presented focused on 2034 best and worst case scenarios developed by the IPCC, showing how music and science can come together and connect us to urgency of climate issues. Finally, the open panel discussion touched upon how other countries can collaborate with China and how to combat climate change both unilaterally and collectively.

AGENDA

4:30 - 4:35 p.m.        Welcome & Introductions, Aimee Barnes, Senior Advisor, California-China Climate Institute

4:35 -  5:00 p.m.        Presentation delivered by Judith Shapiro,  Director, Dual Degree in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development School of International Service, American University, and Yifei Li, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, NYU Shanghai

5:00 - 5:25 p.m.         Open Discussion and Exchange: China at Home 

Ran Ran,  Associate Professor of Political Science, School of International Studies, Renmin University of China

Yongmou Liu, Professor in the School of Philosophy, Renmin University of China

5:25 - 5:35 p.m.         Music Performance Break & Introduction by Richard Festinger,  Composer of Icarus in Flight, ClimateMusic 

5:35 - 5:55 p.m.         Open Discussion and Exchange: China in the World

Ran Ran, Associate Professor of Political Science, School of International Studies, Renmin University of China

Yongmou Liu,  Professor in the School of Philosophy, Renmin University of China

5:55 - 6:00 p.m.        Recap/Closing Remarks by Aimee Barnes, Senior Advisor, California-China Climate Institute