Beyond the Waterfront: Reducing Pollution in U.S. and China Ports to Protect Communities (IN SEATTLE)

If global shipping was a nation itself, it would be the world’s 6th largest polluter. Seven of the world’s top 10 largest and busiest container ports are located in China (including Hong Kong at #5), and like their counterparts on the opposite side of the Pacific, these booming ports serve as engines of economic growth. However, both U.S. and Chinese ports also generate serious air and water pollution that endanger the health of local communities. U.S. and Chinese port authorities are increasingly working together to share lessons learned on greening ports. At this roundtable, the Wilson Center’s China Environment Forum is bringing together a group of Chinese and U.S. port experts to discuss the policies and partnerships ports can build with communities and businesses to reduce pollution and protect the health of local communities. In addition to succinct presentations by speakers, we will tap additional insights on greening ports in China from 10 visiting Chinese port experts.

SPEAKERS: 

Simon Ng, Independent Consultant and Former Chief Research Officer of Civic Exchange (Hong Kong)
Sally del Fierro, Director for Community Engagement, Port of Seattle
Anne Goodchild, Director of the University of Washington Supply Chain Transportation and Logistics Center
James Rasmussen, Director, Duwamish River Clean Up Coalition

MODERATOR:

Jennifer L. Turner, Director, China Environment Forum, Woodrow Wilson Center

WHEN: December 8, 2016; 2:15-4:00
WHERE: University of Washington’s Husky Union Building (HUB), Room 238

RSVP/QUESTIONS DIRECTLY to Jennifer.turner@wilsoncenter.org

Under the China Environment Forum’s Choke Point: Port Cities initiative, Dr. Turner has been bringing together U.S. and Chinese water, urban, and port experts to examine water-energy-pollution linked challenges specific to port cities. Our Choke Point research, exchanges, and multimedia reporting highlight the opportunities for U.S. and Chinese cities to learn and collaborate with each other to address these water-energy nexus problems.