Building New Clean Water Networks in China: Challenges and Opportunities for Protecting Lake Tai

Speakers:
Ge Junjie, Nanjing University's Center for Environmental Management and Policy
Ran Liping, Green Camel Bell
Osamu Fujiki, Japan Institute of Wastewater Engineering Technology

In the summer of 2007, millions were denied access to drinking water when Lake Tai turned a florescent green with toxic cyanobacteria—often referred to as algae bloom. This algae bloom was caused by continued municipal and industrial wastewater emissions, as well as considerable agricultural, aquaculture, and animal waste runoff. Global experience underscores that there is no quick fix for severely polluted lakes and bays. However, in the past few years the growing severity of water pollution has led the Chinese government to employ a number of new polices to pressure better compliance to pollution emission standards—such as market mechanisms; expanded legal rights for citizens to sue polluters; blacklisting highly polluting industries and cities from receiving loans; and requiring greater environmental information disclosure from local governments and industries. Chinese environmental NGOs have also become more active in working on water pollution prevention issues.

At this meeting we will hear from Ge Junjie from Nanjing University talk about the pollution problems in Lake Tai and some of the innovative water pollution trading and community roundtable work his center has been carrying out. Ran Liping from Lanzhou's Green Camel Bell will talk about her NGO's work to involve communities in projects to protect water resources, offering an important model for grassroots groups in the Lake Tai region. Osamu Fujiki from the Japan Institute of Wastewater Engineering Technology will talk about some water pollution trading initiatives in Japan that could hold insights for the Lake Tai and other polluted lakes in China.

Location: 5th Floor Conference Room