As the world’s leaders on climate change march toward the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen this December, Ecos recently convened local experts in Portland for a lively roundtable discussion. Members and supporters of the China-U.S. Energy Efficiency Alliance met to discuss and understand the role of manufacturers, architects and builders in curbing China’s massive energy demand and resulting consequences of pollution.
About 50 guests gathered at the Courtyard Marriott in Portland on September 23 not to come up with solutions, but to share ideas and understand the root of the problem in China, and how actions in the country directly impact those living in the Northwest.
“Ecos did an outstanding job in bringing an impressive lineup of unique and informative speakers together,” remarked Barbara Finamore, president of the China-U.S. Energy Efficiency Alliance. “I saw a very engaged audience.”
Keynote speaker, Dr. Mark Levine, the group leader of the China Energy Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, set the tone for the evening with an overview of China’s accomplishments in reducing energy consumption to date, as well as the work that remains to be done. Dr. Levine, having spent the majority of the past 20 years working with collaborators in China and the U.S. on energy efficiency policy, has worked on programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
After a question-and-answer session, the event’s three panelists – representing the environment, manufacturing and architecture – all discussed their unique perspective on the challenges facing China and its global impact.
Dr. Steven S. Cliff, a recognized expert on global air pollution transport, shared his research and observations of pollutants that travel from China to the United States, what it does to our health and how it impacts climate change. Dr. Cliff has served as principle investigator on several grants that included studying the change in pollution as a result of controls near Beijing during the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Lonny Knabe, an energy architecture manager for Nike, represented the manufacturing side. Nike is well-known for its large manufacturing presence in China, but as Knabe explained, Chinese factories are independent operations. Knabe asserted that Nike is making the effort to improve the environmental impact of Chinese facilities, and make operations more sustainable.
The third panelist, Bob Zimmerman from architectural firm Zimmer Gunsul Frasca (ZGF), shared his company’s progress in building science in the U.S., including the recently constructed Indigo 12 West building in Portland, which is slated to achieve Platinum LEED certification and uses 100 percent sustainable green power (including four rooftop wind turbines). The building also houses ZGF’s Portland offices. According to Zimmerman, many of the modern design technologies gaining popularity in the U.S. can also be applied to new and retrofit construction in China.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams welcomed the attendees to the event, which was perfectly aligned with the Mayor’s, and the City of Portland’s, commitment to growing our position as a leader in sustainability.
