China Goes Green

The New York Times best-selling author Thomas L. Freidman, in his book Hot, Flat, and Crowded, stated that any plan to create a sustainable style of living on our planet would not be feasible unless China adopted ecological measures in a big way--and soon.

In his Op-Ed column entitled "Who's Sleeping Now?" from Saturday, Jan. 9, Freidman further stated that the most important story of the first decade of the 21st century will not be the economic recession but China's "Green Leap Forward."

The first Chinese-appointed chief executive of Hong Kong summarized the situation like this: “China was asleep during the Industrial Revolution. She was just waking during the Information Technology Revolution. She intends to participate fully in the Green Revolution.”

Dr. Richard Beall, Head of Maharishi School, informed me (and others) of Freidman's article about this significant event, stating the following: "As a school with a growing international community and outreach to the world, and with a firm commitment to 'greening' our operation and knowledge base, I think it's valuable for us to have a global awareness of sustainability developments."

In his opinion piece, Friedman also stated the following: "I’ve been stunned to learn about the sheer volume of wind, solar, mass transit, nuclear and more efficient coal-burning projects that have sprouted in China in just the last year."

In Hot, Flat, and Crowded, Freidman emphasized that the United States has the opportunity to be the world leader in sustainable technology and government programs--and that if the U.S. doesn't assume that leadership role, some other country will do so. He emphasizes in the book that the United States not only has an opportunity but also an obligation to be the world leader in sustainability because of our unmatched national predeliction to innovation and invention.

Our efforts at Maharishi School and Maharishi University of Management to educate ourselves and our students in the significance and in the principles of sustainability are not just locally but are also globally significant.

I'd like to thank Dr. Beall for managing to maintain a global awareness while being immersed in the day-to-day endeavors at Maharishi School.

In the same email, Dr. Beall also highlighted an upcoming documentary film about China's new green programs. The Green Dragon will be shown on MUM campus at Dalby Hall, January 11, 8:00 P.M., at the Argiro Student Center. The film is by film producer/green builder Max Perelman.

According to a university press release, "This film portrays the sheer scale of China's construction industry while engaging the viewer in the reality of how this industry works. It also provides an in-depth discussion of the barriers and opportunities for China to 'go green.'"

Copyright 2009 by Thomas L. Kepler, all rights reserved

Freidman photo by Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times