New Environmental Reports Gain Attention of Obama Administration

By Kirstin B. Olmstead
Published: 2/12/2009

Ann Arbor, Mich.–As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton prepares for her upcoming visit to Asia next week, her discussions with leaders in China are expected to focus on energy cooperation and climate change issues.

Two substantial reports co-authored by University of Michigan faculty and alumni working with major public policy organizations may offer the new secretary of state insight into shaping policy between the United States and China.

The first report, entitled “Common Challenge, Collaborative Response” is a joint project of the Asia Society and the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. More than 50 of the world’s leading scientists, China experts, and political and business leaders contributed to the report, including Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy John Holdren.

The report provides a roadmap for the Obama Administration, recommending immediate action to create a new, groundbreaking collaboration with China to address the urgent issue of climate change. It maintains that U.S.-China collaboration can help catalyze a new strategic transformation to a global, low-carbon economy that will be more sustainable while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Our hope that the project would result in collaborative efforts by the United States and China to tackle energy and climate change issues seems to be coming to pass.” said Jan Berris, U-M alumna of the Centers for Chinese and Japanese Studies and vice president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, one of the cooperating organizations that contributed to the report. “That is very exciting because without the cooperation of the United States and China, the two biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, we can never hope to conquer these immense challenges.”

The second report “Overcoming Obstacles to U.S.-China Cooperation on Climate Change” was authored by Brookings Institution fellows Kenneth Lieberthal and David Sandalow. The report presents nine recommendations for building political support in both countries to fight climate change and cut emissions. Lieberthal is a U-M professor of political science and professor of business administration, as well as a faculty associate of the Center for Chinese Studies housed in
U-M’s International Institute. David Sandalow is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School.

"The contributions of our faculty and alumni to these reports demonstrate the depth and breadth of Michigan’s expertise on China,” said Mary Gallagher, director of the Center for Chinese Studies. “Now more than ever collaboration between countries will be crucial in developing effective energy and environmental policies.”

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Center for Chinese Studies
The Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan was founded in 1961 and has maintained its leading position among centers nationwide for more than 40 years. Situated within the International Institute, the Center for Chinese Studies provides students, specialists, and the public at large with expert resources and a deeper understanding of contemporary and historical issues related to China. For more information, visit www.ii.umich.edu/ccs.

University of Michigan International Institute
The University of Michigan International Institute houses 18 centers and programs focused on world regions and global themes. The institute develops and supports international teaching, research, and public affairs programs to promote global understanding across the campus and to build connections with intellectuals and institutions worldwide. For more information, visit www.ii.umich.edu.

 

News Category: research
Department: International Institute