Better City, Better Life
February 1, 2010We are in this world for the long haul.
As individuals and members of a family, town, state, nation and the world community, we should all be dedicated to the development of sustainable communities. Why? Because how we interact on multiple stages in this life impacts us all. To think we can take action where there is no reaction is nonsensical.
When I listen to radio and TV news and hear pundits and politicians downplay global warming, I think, “Look, I am not a scientist. But pumping toxic pollutants into our atmosphere year in and year out cannot be good for the planet or the people attempting to live here now and in the future.”
Sustainability matters. Sustainability issues are front and center at two intersections of my life: interacting with today’s youth and understanding China.
When interacting with young people on college campuses, or as the former state superintendent of schools, or interacting with two young people who served along with me on Earth Force, I see people willing to listen and learn.
Earth Force is a national organization established in 1994 that “engages young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future.” I was on the Earth Force board because of my love of the outdoors, but mainly because of my background in business and education. Desire to protect the planet seemed to ooze from the pores of two teens, Anna and John, whom I met at Earth Force. I learned so much from both their passion and knowledge of actions we could, and should, take at multiple levels to develop sustainable practices and policies in the public and private sectors.
While some on the board with more years occupying the planet would talk about compromise and trade-offs, the young people spoke of “copouts” and “sellouts” and attempts to “green wash” contemptible environmentally degrading actions.
I learned from them that we could develop communities where our environment, economy, and health are thriving and that we need not compromise on one to achieve the other. I learned from interacting with John, Anna and other young people affiliated with Earth Force the importance of listening to youth about matters of the future.
It reminded me that as educators and business people we did not have to always behave like the sage on the stage. Sometimes we can sit back and learn from youth. Although I had always enjoyed nature and worked on other environmental causes, Anna and John were great environmental teachers for me.
As the Chinese saying goes, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
China’s World Expo
The People’s Republic of China is hosting the World Expo in Shanghai this year. If there is a more polluted country on this planet, I have not been there.Yet, having traveled around China for the past 20 years, I also have seen a growing interest in addressing the man-made problems that nation’s rapid industrialization has caused. This focus is painfully slow — certainly economic development has trumped environmental concerns as China has rushed to catch up to the rest of the world — but is about to speed up.
Shanghai Exposition 2010 will attract governments and people from across the world, focusing on the theme “Better City, Better Life.” World Expositions are galleries of human inspirations, ideas and ideals. From May 1 to October 31, an estimated 70 million people will witness a display of urban civilization, exchange their experiences of urban development, disseminate advanced notions on cities and explore new approaches to human habitat, lifestyle and working conditions in the new century. Expo attendees will learn to create an eco-friendly society and maintain sustainable development.
All this from a country that was opened to the rest of the world a mere 30 years ago!
The sheer fact that China chose the theme “Better City, Better Life” bodes well for the planet. The Expo’s motto is: “Keeping in mind the next 60 years development while preparing for the next six months.”
China’s goal is to leapfrog the U.S. in green technology. We cannot allow this to happen.
Governor Granholm, forward thinking and fighting to diversify Michigan’s stagnant economy, has been in front of the “green revolution.” She understands we can make “green” and create jobs while we help to clean up the planet.
The governor is working double shifts in her attempt to make Michigan a new green economy powerhouse.
Clearly, we have the intellectual firepower in our exceptional public and private universities, together with the engineering and manufacturing know-how in our DNA, to position ourselves to become this reimagined Michigan.
The governor has found a partner with deep pockets in the Obama administration, which has been pushing green development.
Ford’s Better Idea
Bill Ford, at the opening day of the North American International Auto show in Detroit, announced the creation of 1,000 news jobs at the Wayne assembly plant building the new, green Ford Focus. He called the governor “a cheerleader, a thought leader” for clean, sustainable energy for Michigan.This is great news for working men and women who would like nothing better than to see all this “green” talk putting some green in their pockets by helping them get back to work. When the governor announced her green push a year ago she said, “these initiatives are all about going from rust to green.”
The governor, at the auto show press conference with Bill Ford, praised Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon for putting aside the usual partisan bickering and working with her to craft alternative energy legislation that will help create jobs for the residents of our state.
The public and private investments in green and new battery technology have exceeded $2 billion, could help create thousands of new 21st century jobs in Michigan and have helped jumpstart the domestic auto industry.
These investments are a powerful emotional lift to a state that has lost nearly a million jobs over the last decade. Yet, we must continue to put the pedal to the metal in the alternative energy arena or we will be overtaken.
China has its eye on becoming the green capital of the world and has the drive and resources to get there.
While it is good news for the planet that both the U.S. and China are focused on developing green technology, we cannot afford to lose the new green arms race with China.
As the Chinese would say, man was given two ears and one mouth so that he can listen twice as much as he speaks. China studies, listens and then moves quickly to change and to win. Their actions and ours have helped to destroy the environment. Now, both countries, for economic and altruistic reasons, are attempting a cleanup that will impact all of humanity.
As the 21st century unfolds we ought to listen to the youth of this country about the value of green sustainable development as we invest in the R&D that will keep us competitive on the world stage.
We need to continue to think globally and act locally as we work to build a harmonious, sustainable world for all — while creating jobs here at home.
Footnote: Dow Corning recently announced the creation of a China Business and Technology Center in Zhangjiang. According to Tom Cook, Dow Corning corporate vice president, Northeast Asia president and Greater China president, the center will be staffed by hundreds of knowledge workers, engineers, scientists and marketing professionals helping to develop innovative solutions to improve the quality of life of the people of China by “addressing megatrends such as renewable energy, climate protection, water conservation and urbanization.”
Tom Watkins is an education and business consultant in the U.S. and China and served as Michigan’s state superintendent of schools from 2001-2005. His “Bridge to China” cover story appeared in Dome in September.
22 responses so far ↓
1 KP CHEN // Jan 29, 2010 at 8:22 am
Green is often perceived as something micro (technological) … but, more fundamental to it, it is also a macro (moral and philosophical) thing …
In that sense, nations do not need to compete with each other, they only need to comply with the ‘Green’, which is another name of Tao.
2 sheree jones // Jan 29, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Once again Tom Watkins is dead on in telling it like it is!
We will find out future by reinventing all we are doing – like help the world become a greener, cleaner place.
3 cdouglas // Jan 30, 2010 at 12:19 pm
As a Michigan school superintendent, my focus is now “Global” and “Green.” In fact it was a great opportunity for me to visit China in 2009; Tom Watkins offers a perfect description for what I saw….. an emerging nation who is trying to “get it right” when it comes to “Green.” And I agree: We cannot sit back and watch China surpass Michigan in Green technologies/initiatives. Thanks Tom for making us think in real and concrete terms about this……… P.S. Also consider reading Hot Flat and Crowded for additional momentum/information.
4 Dan Redford // Jan 30, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Great article, I agree with what you have to say. What I would really like to see is the U.S., Michigan, and China working together towards creating more sustainability through competition. Given that, I’m a bit concerned with how some of these investments into green technology are looking a lot like subsidies, particularly because our politicians and policymakers are still talking about how China is the enemy…Michigan needs to be investing in individuals, because protectionism won’t spur innovation in the long run. The rhetoric about China needs to shift from being reactionary to being proactive.
Are the Fords and Gms of our economy capable of taking the lead on these initiatives? I think they would be, but our government seems to be putting money behind old antiquated hierarchies within these companies that keeps them from innovating. Why would putting money behind government pet projects change this equation?
5 Jim Pierce // Jan 30, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Sustainable, clean energy options will reduce our oil dependence and are necessary to meet our present consumption needs without compromising future generations. We need to get on board in supporting establishment of these industries in Michigan and the jobs that will come with serious investment in this sector.
6 Dan Redford // Jan 30, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Good ambitions Jim. We just need to make sure that this investment is in individuals and not more bureaucracy.
7 Dan Redford // Jan 30, 2010 at 2:17 pm
For a real time assessment of the Shanghai World Expo, keep an eye out on shanghai-exposed.com come May.
Email danredford10@gmail.com if you’re interested in being part of the project.
8 Tom Watkins // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:50 pm
To reinforce my points that China is poised to leapfrog the US in green technology–
see the 1-30-10 article in the New York Times–
China Leading Race to Make Clean Energy
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/business/energy-environment/31renew.html?hp/
Some of the highlights of the article:
” TIANJIN, China — China vaulted past competitors in Denmark, Germany, Spain and the United States last year to become the world’s largest maker of wind turbines, and is poised to expand even further this year.”
“China’s top leaders are intensely focused on energy policy: on Wednesday, the government announced the creation of a National Energy Commission composed of cabinet ministers as a “superministry” led by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao himself. ”
“The United States and other countries are offering incentives to develop their own renewable energy industries, and Mr. Obama called for redoubling American efforts. Yet many Western and Chinese executives expect China to prevail in the energy-technology race.”
While we take decades debating education reform — like the most recent Race To The Top/RTTT legislation– the Chinese see opportunities, seize upon them and act.
We are living in a hyper-competitive, transformational, disruptive world economy. Simply because we have been at the top of the economic food chain for a long time — is no guarantee we will stay here.
Investment in education, talent creativity, innovation, technology and clean energy will make us stronger. In today’s world — staying even is falling behind.
9 Monroe Benaim // Jan 30, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Nice article Tom. You say, “China’s goal is to leapfrog the U.S. in green technology. We cannot allow this to happen.”
My question is Why?
If the altruistic ideals you portray both countries as having are really true, what does it matter who gets greenest the fastest. With globalization isn’t it inevitable that economies of scale will follow demographics of scale. I find it ironic that corporations are more paranoid of each other (namely other corporations) then they are of governments and governments are more paranoid of each other (namely other governments). As long as we are all competitively “greening” for altruistic reasons, does it really matter who gets there first? As the world economy truly becomes global, will it matter who is the largest economy? It will just follow demographics of the globe ultimately – i.e. China and India are destined.
If demographers are correct, we are headed toward a world with three to five family names and one blended race. That being the case, when complete globalization has taken place, the concept of competitiveness, dependence, and “leapfrogging” each other, will not be relevant.
Who puts a satellite in space first just did not matter when the world was definitely not altruistic. Who becomes greener faster does not matter. In a true global economy is dependence going to matter. Isn’t the true meaning behind what you are saying by world governments “greening” that we are speeding toward nirvana – a greening of mankind in a philosophical sense?
If China wants to leapfrog the U.S. or vice-a-versa does it really matter if it is done for altruistic reasons? If a government is truly altruistic, then dependence and control, regardless of which countries, does not matter. If governments cannot be altruistic, then dependence and control will prevail and greening will not matter since we will annihilate each other.
Obviously I do not believe altruism can be a factor for a government going green if ultimately you are concerned with us doing this to prevent dependence in a competitive sense.
10 Al Zucaro // Jan 31, 2010 at 4:55 am
Great article. Tom continues to educate me on issues of great public importance. The balance he strikes in this article on the perils of global warmings and the reality of its global impacts strike home. In the now many years I have known Tom, he reflects how to weigh these often competing elements. He offers a well rounded and educated view worthy of puiblication to the reader and beyond. Thank you Tom…
Al Zucaro, Chairman WTC Palm Beach
11 classroom13 // Jan 31, 2010 at 7:06 am
This is another wake up call for the American people illustrated very well by Mr. Watkins. If the United States, and the American people don’t take this issue seriously, what will we be leaving our grandchildren and great-grandchildren? China???
12 Dr. Linda Dale Bloomberg. Columbia University, NYC // Jan 31, 2010 at 8:36 am
A great piece written by acclaimed writer and educator Tom Watkins. Once again he brings to the forefront the pressing issues and concerns of our times. The current challenges we all face will surely only be surmountable if we join forces and work together for the betterment of our common and shared humanity.
13 Linda Herald // Jan 31, 2010 at 2:07 pm
An insightful and informative view of this global issue. My hope is that our nation does its best work and takes us forward in this matter for both moral and economic reasons.
14 Bob Leonard // Feb 1, 2010 at 7:18 am
Tom
It occurs to me that the mere fact that there is so much concern about sustainability is a hopeful sign in and of itself. This is a concern driven by times of prosperity and growth, and such times even when not immediately on our shores, beat the alternative every time.
There is a lot less worry about sustainability when poverty , death and destruction dominate the headlines.
Ultimately, sustainability is a challenge of the human spirit, for where there is a will….
The rise of other countries, most notably India and China, while certainly presenting challenges, is certainly a better outcome for all the world, and even for the US, than alternatives of warlords and poverty.
There is certainly no shortage threats all around, but as always there are opportunities as well, they are two sides of the same coin.
Nobody has a monopoly on threats or opportunities but it is much easier emotionally and intellectually to think in the jingoistic terms of ‘barbarians at the gate’.
We are all subject to the ever quickening pace of change that is increasingly becoming a destabilizing force. NOBODY is immune and nobody has all the answers.
“China [et al]’s rise does not have to come at our demise” (thanks Tom). We need each other. Young and old , China and the world and the US.
Thus we’d do well to follow Kipling’s advice and “ keep our heads when those about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you”
These are certainly defining times, several defining moments are looming. But chief among these is whether we proceed thru cooperation and collaboration … or find competition and conflict our only or best used tools.
Getting the mix right will be less of a challenge if as you say we get much better at listening.
This is not apt to be zero sum game. We can (in fact we must) learn from each other. Collaborate or die is likely to be the new watchword.
I’m convinced that where energy and sustainability are concerned there is no shortage of room to cooperate and collaborate and that this is the key to the challenge of the human spirit.
15 Billie // Feb 1, 2010 at 7:41 am
Nice article Tom. You say, “China’s goal is to leapfrog the U.S. in green technology.” Knowing how they think and work – 24/7 we cannot allow this to happen and should not. We have talent here also and can make a difference for our future.
16 Dan Redford // Feb 1, 2010 at 8:12 am
Billie you are certainly right. The problem in Michigan is that our talent is leaving. A long term strategy would be focusing on sustainability in a number of sectors of our economy, which wraps environmental sustainability with talent retention and attraction strategies. Increased investment in education, and in setting up opportunities for student entrepreneurs and innovators to find funding for their ideas that they can implement in Michigan will help this state take the lead on these initiatives. They will also have the effect of increasing employment and will make students think about staying in Michigan again.
Here is one of these grass roots efforts: http://www.nextbrightidea.com
17 Dan Redford // Feb 1, 2010 at 10:11 am
Check out this article in today’s State News:
http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/01/students_join_green_economy
Student green innovators can help lead initiatives.
18 Rocco // Feb 1, 2010 at 10:44 am
Let me appoligise up front for this post. I agree being of sound mind and principles each of us can do our part relating to keeping our space clean. As for the governments getting involved I look to history. Like the great initiative of saving water by mandating toilets that use less water to flush. Studies show people now flush more often in essence using more water. How about the great movement with these energy saving light bulbs, filled with mercury. So years from now when the Gov. mandates 100% usage the planet will love all that mercury.
I’m not as concerned about China taking the lead in the green movement as others. Currently the only way to bring items to market is to subsidize them. So I guess China will use the peoples money to fund green projects that probably will do nothing to help the environment. China is also creating a government body to help the movement? Let’s look at our great government own Energy dept. created back in the 70′s. It mission was to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. At the time we imported 30% now we import 70% just another example of a failed government policy.
I’m the first to protest polluting the planet but to think we actually can have meaningful impact on other issue really? Talk about planet changes, go look at the tectonic plate movement in the last 75 million years, mother nature has control not us!
Has anybody read the cap and trade proposed legislation? Just what we need more gov. in our life, every time they pass a new law they reduce our freedoms, for me I not for it. I wish we could go back to the America our founding fathers created not the one we live in today.
19 SL // Feb 2, 2010 at 8:04 am
Tom Watkins’ writing is informative and thought provoking. In reading this article and the NY Times article, “China Leading Race to Make Clean Energy”, it is essential that Michigan develop a strategy to work collaboratively with China rather than in competition. Cleaning up the planet is a win/win situation for all.
20 Danny Bloom // Feb 27, 2010 at 6:43 am
As usual, columnist Tom Watkins is right on here. Great article.
21 Jane // Apr 16, 2010 at 8:30 am
“China’s goal is to leapfrog the U.S. in green technology. We cannot allow this to happen.”
as a chinese young girl ,all I know is that we Chinese won’t compare with any detail with you.It’s you that always busting other chops.We wanna be friend and show all over the world that we would be friends instead of only competitor with you.whether we could “leapfrog”US so called,only time can tell!we will be step forward rapidly both in economic and environment.
22 adegbayi oshinowo // Apr 20, 2010 at 11:53 am
tom is roght again we should take suatainability very seriously and compliment each others effort rather than compete.
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