This is a past event. Registration is closed. View other AmCham China events.
You are invited to join AmCham China at a luncheon with Gilbert Van Kerckhove, who will discuss his recent book "Toxic Capitalism - The Orgy of Consumerism and Waste: Are We the Last Generation on Earth?"
China's economic slowdown since the global financial crisis has led many economists to believe that only a fundamental shift in its economy will drive future growth. Less reliance on external factors like foreign investment and export driven growth, and a greater focus on internal ones–particularly domestic consumption–should result in a more sustainable growth model to guide the world's second largest economy in the coming decades.
While these plans for rebalancing call for increased domestic consumption, the energy and resources necessary to fuel greater consumption for China's population of 1.3 billion would likely put a great strain on the environment. Rising pollution levels and the impact of "toxic capitalism"-overconsumption and indiscriminate wastefulness-exacerbate the environmental problems that China already faces.
China's economic slowdown since the global financial crisis has led many economists to believe that only a fundamental shift in its economy will drive future growth. Less reliance on external factors like foreign investment and export driven growth, and a greater focus on internal ones–particularly domestic consumption–should result in a more sustainable growth model to guide the world's second largest economy in the coming decades.
While these plans for rebalancing call for increased domestic consumption, the energy and resources necessary to fuel greater consumption for China's population of 1.3 billion would likely put a great strain on the environment. Rising pollution levels and the impact of "toxic capitalism"-overconsumption and indiscriminate wastefulness-exacerbate the environmental problems that China already faces.
How serious is this environmental degradation and how did it come to this?
What can be done to preserve the environment for future generations?
What are the prospects for electric power generation and renewable energy?
About the Speaker:
Gilbert Van Kerckhove is a native of Belgium and since 1980 has been working with China, where he spent 27 years, mostly in Beijing but also in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Since 2000 he has been assisting the Beijing Municipality in the areas of economic studies and foreign investment promotion. He has received the highest Chinese awards for his role in the 2008 Olympics, including a Chinese Green Card. He considers Beijing his home.
What can be done to preserve the environment for future generations?
What are the prospects for electric power generation and renewable energy?
About the Speaker:
Gilbert Van Kerckhove is a native of Belgium and since 1980 has been working with China, where he spent 27 years, mostly in Beijing but also in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Since 2000 he has been assisting the Beijing Municipality in the areas of economic studies and foreign investment promotion. He has received the highest Chinese awards for his role in the 2008 Olympics, including a Chinese Green Card. He considers Beijing his home.
