“Innovations from China: I Want Sustainable Innovation Movement”
On Friday December 11th, Hiu Ng and Daniel Foa Co - founders and directors of 51Sim (Sustainable Innovation Movement) and 51Give discussed environmental solutions at COP15 to an audience of over a hundred activists and leaders in the international environmental field. Daniel spoke live at the Bella Center, the heart of COP15, Hiu Ng spoke live from Beijing via live video feed, and 51Sim ambassador, Former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, Maurice Strong delivered a recorded address to the audience.
Hiu Ng and Daniel Foa recognized the challenges inherent in facing climate change for the world and China in particular. They emphasized that while it is important political leaders create the infrastructure for making environmental changes, individuals must also take responsibility. COP15 demonstrates the complexity of the situation for leaders all around the world. They alone cannot solve climate change, but the awareness COP15 has brought to the public may provide the solution. Hiu and Dan stressed that it is not only the public, but the youth we must support as we search for innovative solutions. Hiu eloquently expressed this encouragement saying,
“China’s young students are tomorrow’s leaders! I would like to congratulate them all from the bottom of my heart and encourage them to continue nurturing innovative ideas and to keep on protecting the environment.”
Hiu and Dan’s hope and support for the next generation and their role in making environmental changes is expressed not only in their words, but through 51Sim’s Sustainable Innovation Student Competition (SISC). 51Sim, designed, organized, and hosted SISC, a competitive program designed to encourage students all over the world to develop innovative proposals for sustainable solutions to alleviate climate change. Teams from universities all over China pitched their business plans to a panel of expert judges in 3 categories, Green Transport, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable Energy, in order to receive funding for their projects and travel to COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2009. The vision, spirit, and commitment the students demonstrated throughout the competition was inspiring. The students exemplified the youth’s ability to combat climate change and their dedication to this battle, as it is their future. The competition demonstrated Hiu, Dan, and 51Sim’s confidence that supporting these remarkable individuals and their innovative projects is the first step toward a sustainable future.
Hiu and Dan’s presentation introduced the voices of China and the Chinese youth to the halls of the Bella Center and the minds and hearts of the negotiators and activists flooding Copenhagen.
Hiu and Dan’s presentation was followed by a pre-recorded message from 51Sim ambassador, Maurice Strong. Maurice Strong, on behalf of 51Sim emphasized his concern about pressing environmental challenges, commitment to finding solutions, and belief the youth are essential to the world’s environmental future. Maurice, who is interrupted throughout the film by the hopeful voices of the 51Sim SISC winners, expresses the utmost confidence in them and firm belief it is the older generation’s responsibility to support them. Watch it!
Together Daniel Foa, Hiu Ng, and Maruice Strong on behalf of 51Sim emphasized that COP15 is about more than leaders, it is about individuals taking action and empowering the youth.
Tags: 51Give, 51Sim, areday, bella center, China, Climate Change, COP15, copenhagen, Daniel Foa, Environment, Hiu Ng, Innovation, innovations from china, Maurice Strong, SISC, United Nations Climate, youth
