Green Hawaii by Greening China

[kukui]

My name is Kukui (Kukui is the Hawaiian word for a type of tree, the nut on that tree, candle (made from the nuts from said tree), and light (emanating from said candle...)). I'm a consultant recovering from a detour to the darkside of environmental consulting, namely helping clients to meet the letter of the law, if not necessarily the spirit. Shame on me, shame on them.

I graduated with my BA in Chemistry and felt that by working for an "Environmental Consulting" company, I would be able to save the world...needless to say, it didn't work out quite as expected. Nonetheless, I am now completing my MBA, and will be heading to China on August 28th to complete my degree. My goal is to channel my past experience as a consultant into helping other companies achieve true "triple-bottom line" sustainability.

It's interesting in that Hawaii benefits from being in the middle of the Pacific - the pollution that we do generate is blown out to sea by the wind, so it is easy for us to ignore all the environmental problems in the world. Ultimately, though, these now global issues threaten to erode our beaches, bleach our corals, and kill our crops. My feeling is that in order for me to be able to do anything about any of this, I need to leave my home, and fight the battle when the most impact can be made. Hence my fleeing my relatively pristine homeland for the filthy air and polluted waters of China.

The problems are so large, only by leaving can I preserve that which I love so that my children and their children will be able to enjoy these islands the same way that I did as a child. That we have gotten to the point where we are is disheartening; that so many are beginning to realize the gravity of the situation is the only thing that gives me hope.

[Karl]

Hello Kukui, and welcome to the forum

Originally Posted by kukui

I'm a consultant recovering from a detour to the darkside of environmental consulting, namely helping clients to meet the letter of the law, if not necessarily the spirit. Shame on me, shame on them.

Not necessarily. That is a reality of doing consulting work for clients. But there is nothing shameful about it; using your expertise in the natural sciences towards increasing corporate/industrial awareness of environmental issues is positive in itself. The fact remains that, the most you can do is create awareness of the issue, and advise as to a solution - it is not intended to be about saving the world. It is also a very good way to get involved in the first place; you cannot force the client to do anything, and if they do not actually follow the advise you present (after they have obtained their approvals) that is through no fault of your own (so long as your advice was sound, your conscience should be clear).

You do what is necessary and move on to the next project, and after some time when you gain enough experience you can find some niche within the sector that better suits your individual needs. As you have said yourself, you intend to use the experience already gained through consulting (as "dark" as it might have seemed at the time) to enhance your new endeavour! But you needed to start somewhere, and it is still potentially a much better way to actually make some difference (towards something you care about) than through activism and petitioning.

Anyway, feel free to share your views and experiences (on environmental consulting or otherwise) here in the forums.

Regards,
Karl

[FabianPattberg]

Welcome to the forum Kukui.

All the best for your China stay. Let us know how it goes.

Regards,
Fabian

[plieng]

how do you feel about that?

i admit that fast economic growth in recent decades has lead to short-term damages on environment and resources in china, don't you notice we are trying to boost our planet also?

i know you have been in Zhenjiang for almost several years as a english teacher, and have a basic understanding about china. but we are fortunate to see many domestic companies are beginning to pay attention on environment under higher environmental legislation risk. so i do believe our environment on planet will get well.

looking forward to your comments.

regards!

[kukui]

I definitely agree that China is taking steps to improve the environment. I also think that China's government is a benefit in that having identified the environment as a key area to improve, they are able to put their entire effort behind moving things forward - unlike the US where so many people are still in denial over things like global warming and even peak-oil, and where even the smallest legislative processes are hijacked by special interests. It seems that the major problem in China is "山高皇帝远“ - the central government has the rules and the will, but the enforcement remains the trouble area. I think that this is slowly being overcome, but will likely remain a barrier for a while. Still, China is on the edge of many great alternative energy technologies, and is increasingly focusing on other environmental products and services. For me personally, I hope to be able to bring some of my own perspective, but also to learn as much as I can as the country turns to face head on the huge variety of problems.