On June 28, 2024, the HRUG regular seminar on “China’s Efforts and Contributions in Addressing Global
Climate Change” was successfully held. The session was chaired by Joe Finnerty (social
policy analyst, School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork,
Republic of Ireland) and was lectured by Prof. Guo Zhenwei ( School of
Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University). Prof. Peter Herrmann
and Associate Prof. Li Juan, who are researchers at CSU Human Rights Center,
and Prof. Mehmet Okyayuz (a professor of political science at Middle East
Technical University) participated in the discussion, and they shared, reported
and supplemented some corresponding views. The discussion explored China’s
efforts to address global climate change, including the promotion of scientific
cooperation, the promotion of ecological research, and the encouragement of
public participation in environmental protection activities. It discussed the
impacts of technological advances aimed at addressing climate change on the
protection of human rights and ecosystems, as well as the challenges of
striking a balance between the two. The importance of international cooperation
among scientists, the need for interdisciplinary cooperation and the increasing
responsibility of scientists to inform the public about the impacts of climate
change were also discussed.
Prof. Guo Zhenwei presented the current status of global warming
through accurate data and rich illustrations, and introduced China’s positive measures
to address climate change, including the development of carbon emission capture
technology, the use of technology in environmental monitoring and protection,
and the promotion of afforestation projects that contribute to carbon
sequestration. While elaborating on the need to shift from fossil fuels to
renewable energy sources, Prof. Guo also shared the progress of carbon capture
technologies, carbon sequestration solutions, and geologic strategies for
mitigating climate change, and emphasized the importance of international
cooperation in addressing the issue of warming. He argued that global
partnerships should be strengthened to tackle the climate challenge together.
In addition, when discussing the issue of food waste, Prof. Guo believed that
people should be more environmentally friendly in their eating habits to develop
a more sustainable global food system for future generations.
Prof. Peter Herrmann saw the importance of international cooperation
and interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing climate change and other
global challenges. When discussing the dire consequences of human behavior on
the environment, (from deforestation and pollution to poor waste management),
he advocated immediate and effective action, including lifestyle changes to
mitigate these effects. In addition, he explored issues such as city planning,
transportation and food waste, and further suggested improving infrastructure
and conducting sustainable practices to mitigate environmental degradation. With
regard to corporate responsibility, he argued that existing legal frameworks
had limitations in compelling corporations to address environmental damage and
that regulations and penalties should be strengthened. Finally, he emphasized
the importance of interdisciplinary and international cooperation in addressing
pressing global issues and the need for a holistic strategy encompassing legal,
scientific and societal engagement.
Prof. Mehmet Okyayuz argued that it is necessary to remove political
influence from scientific discussions and allow free exploration and sharing of
research results in order to maximize the role of the scientific community in
advancing understanding and solving pressing global problems. Due to political
interests and state interference, research and data sharing may be restricted,
which is worth noting. He cited examples such as China’s cooperation with
scientists on climate change to discuss the extent to which governments might
utilize scientific cooperation to achieve policymaking goals beyond purely
scientific investigations. In addition, he believed that governments around the
world should increase transparency and take action to address climate changes,
in particular through proactive government measures to mitigate environmental
challenges.
Associate Professor Li Juan discussed the balance between
technological progress and ecosystem protection, shared the Chinese government’s
call for the Chinese people to change their dietary traditions and dining
habits to reduce food waste, and explained the measures taken by the Chinese
government and society to address global challenges such as climate change.
Finally, Associate Professor Li Juan believed that China’s environmental
awareness is constantly developing, marked by changes in lifestyle, dietary
habits, and consumption behavior, and is supported by government initiatives,
reflecting China’s step towards sustainable development.
2024年6月28日，HRUG定期研讨会之“中国在应对全球气候变化方面的努力与贡献”主题会议顺利召开。本次会议由爱尔兰国立科克大学应用社会研究学院政策分析家Joe Finnerty主持，中南大学地球科学与信息物理学院郭振威教授主讲，中南大学人权研究中心研究员Peter Herrmann教授、土耳其中东科技大学政治学Mehmet Okyayuz教授、中南大学人权研究中心研究员黎娟副教授参加讨论并进行相应观点的分享、汇报和补充。本次讨论探讨了中国在应对全球气候变化方面的努力，包括促进科学合作、推动生态研究和鼓励公众参与环境保护活动等，探讨了旨在应对气候变化的技术进步对保护人权和生态系统的影响，以及达到二者之间的平衡所面临的挑战，还探讨了科学家之间开展国际合作的重要性、跨学科合作的必要性，以及科学家向公众宣传气候变化影响的日益重大的责任。
郭振威教授通过精准的数据和丰富的图例展示了全球变暖的现状，并介绍中国在应对气候变化方面的积极举措，包括开发碳排放捕集技术、利用技术进行环境监测和保护以及推进有助于碳固存的植树造林项目。在阐述从化石燃料向可再生能源转变的必要性的同时，郭教授还分享了碳捕集技术、碳封存解决方案以及减缓气候变化的地质战略等方面的进展，并强调了国际合作在解决气候变暖问题上的重要性，认为应当加强全球伙伴关系，共同应对气候挑战。此外，在讨论食物浪费问题时，郭教授认为人们应该在饮食习惯上更加环境友好，以促进更可持续的全球粮食系统，造福子孙后代。
Peter Herrmann教授认为在应对气候变化和其他全球性挑战的过程中，国际合作和跨学科协作有重要意义。在谈到人类行为对环境造成的严重后果（从森林砍伐和污染到废物管理不善）时，他主张立即采取具有影响力的行动，包括改变生活方式，以减轻这些影响。此外，他还探讨了城市规划、交通和食物浪费等问题，提出了改善基础设施和可持续做法的建议，以减轻环境退化。关于企业责任，他认为现有法律框架在迫使企业解决环境损害问题方面存在局限性，应当加强监管和处罚。最后，他强调了跨学科和国际合作在解决紧迫的全球问题方面的重要性，有必要制定一项涵盖法律、科学和社会参与的整体战略。
Mehmet Okyayuz教授认为必须消除科学讨论中的政治影响，允许自由探索和共享研究成果，以更大程度地发挥科学界在促进理解和解决紧迫的全球问题方面的作用。由于政治利益和国家干预，研究和数据共享可能受到限制，这一点值得关注。他引用了中国与科学家在气候变化问题上的合作等实例，来讨论在纯粹的科学调查之外，政府可能会在多大程度上利用科学合作来达到决策目的。此外，他认为各国政府应当提高透明度，采取行动应对气候变化，特别是通过积极的政府措施减轻环境挑战。
黎娟副教授讨论了技术进步与生态系统保护之间的平衡问题，分享了中国政府呼吁中国人民改变饮食传统和餐桌习惯来减少食物浪费的现象，说明了中国政府和社会对气候变化等全球挑战的应对措施。最后，黎娟副教授认为，中国的环保意识在不断发展，这种意识以生活方式、饮食习惯和消费行为的改变为标志，并得到了政府倡议的支持，反映出中国正朝着可持续发展的方向迈进。