SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED THIS WEEK. So lets start at the very beginning – a very good place to start. Earlier this week, the Federal Government’s energy policy took another hit, this time from Nobel Laureate and former US Energy Secretary to Obama, Dr Steven Chu, who was in town to accept an honourary Doctorate from ANU is an advocate of urgent transition from fossil fuels to nuclear and renewable energy to combat climate change. Continue reading The hills are alive, with the sound of backflips
Globalisation is the defining development of our age, one that has brought closer our international neighbours as well as the unfortunate reality of pandemic disease, war, poverty, corruption and environmental denigration.
Given our ability to communicate through various mediums instantaneously, we are still fairly inexperienced in managing coherent action in concert with other international actors. It seems, that in this time of global dependency, national sovereignty is catapulted to the fore, and one means of creating competitive advantage is for countries to invest in international development. Foreign aid is a complex notion and one that allows countries to “do good” whilst at the same time improving reputation and social returns and strengthening diplomatic intergovernmental relations. Continue reading Which country does the most good?
Pending official approval, it seems that China is stepping up its commitment to environmental sustainability. Once the Mayor of the city of Wuhan grants approval, development will begin on two towers aimed at being wholly self-sufficient and restoring the wider environment around it.
The architects responsible for the design is UK firm Chetwoods who sees the project as a catalyst for future sustainable development in the region. They are one of many global firms that are working with and mentoring a new class of Chinese industry, hungry to push the boundaries and create exponential social and environmental benefits for its citizens.
If Wuhan officially supports this development, it will be a real commitment to sustainable development, and a cultural shift within the PRC’s regime to focus on providing sustainable futures for its communities. This, in conjunction with increased discussion around air pollution mitigation strategies gives us real hope that the ‘Waking Dragon’ may be looking to temper the heat of its economic flame. See the article after the jump to get the details about these green skyscrapers, which when built, will be the tallest manmade objects in the world.
SustainingPeople 