Int'l Conference on Ecological Civilization kicks off in Southern California

With the theme of "Seizing an Alternative -- Toward an Ecological Civilization," a four-day global conference on ecological civilization kicked off here Thursday night, attracting nearly 1,600 scholars and environmentalists from over 30 countries.

"We are for the planet, we are for community... we are for creating abundance security for all," Indian environmentalist Vandana Shiva said at the first public plenary of the 10th International Whitehead Conference and the 9th International Forum on Ecological Civilization.

The conference is organized around the idea that there is an alternative to modern industrial life, and that in order to avoid catastrophic conditions we must seize an alternative way of thinking and living. That "alternative" is an ecological worldview.

Bill McKibben, an environmental activist and author, is the founder of 350.org, which was seen as the first planet-wide, grassroots climate change movement. He used many figures and examples in the first keynote address to describe the climate warming as a civilizational crisis and targeted the big fossil fuel companies.

During the next three days, the conference will feature up to 1,000 presenters in over 80 areas of specialty. Plenary speakers include environmentalist Bill McKibben, Vandana Shiva, Sheri Xiaoyi Liao, Wes Jackson, Herman Daly and John B. Cobb, Jr.

The conference is inspired by the thought and work of American theologian, philosopher and environmentalist Dr. Cobb. He is often regarded as the preeminent scholar in the field of process philosophy and process theology, and is the author of more than forty books.

"The amazing achievements of modernity make it possible, even likely, that its end will also be the end of civilization, of many species, or even of the human species. At the same time, there are many new beginnings that give promise of an ecological civilization," Cobb said on the website of the international conference.

Also on Thursday, a photo exhibition called "What Is China Doing on the Green Road?" was held during the conference. It is the third year that Xinhua News Agency's Los Angeles Bureau is organizing a "Xinhua Gallery" photo exhibit related to China's Ecological Civilization Construction.

The exhibit features 45 photos taken by Xinhua photographers in the past two years that demonstrate the great efforts made by the Chinese government and people in fighting against climate change, pollution and other other environmental issues and China's policies and actions toward a sustainable social development and economic growth.

On the sidelines of the conference, the 2nd Ecological Civilization International Show is being held in Pomona College. The purpose of the show is to build a bridge between academic thinking and practice and to provide an opportunity for the thinkers and doers to meet, discuss and exchange their views. Endi