We are in this world for the long haul.

As individuals and members of a family, town, state, nation and the world community, we should all be dedicated to the development of sustainable communities. Why? Because how we interact on multiple stages in this life impacts us all. To think we can take action where there is no reaction is nonsensical.

When I listen to radio and TV news and hear pundits and politicians downplay global warming, I think, “Look, I am not a scientist. But pumping toxic pollutants into our atmosphere year in and year out cannot be good for the planet or the people attempting to live here now and in the future.”

Sustainability matters. Sustainability issues are front and center at two intersections of my life: interacting with today’s youth and understanding China.

When interacting with young people on college campuses, or as the former state superintendent of schools, or interacting with two young people who served along with me on Earth Force, I see people willing to listen and learn.

Earth Force is a national organization established in 1994 that “engages young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future.” I was on the Earth Force board because of my love of the outdoors, but mainly because of my background in business and education. Desire to protect the planet seemed to ooze from the pores of two teens, Anna and John, whom I met at Earth Force. I learned so much from both their passion and knowledge of actions we could, and should, take at multiple levels to develop sustainable practices and policies in the public and private sectors.

"China's goal is to lapfrog the U.S. in green technology. we cannot allow this to happen"

While some on the board with more years occupying the planet would talk about compromise and trade-offs, the young people spoke of “copouts” and “sellouts” and attempts to “green wash” contemptible environmentally degrading actions.

I learned from them that we could develop communities where our environment, economy, and health are thriving and that we need not compromise on one to achieve the other. I learned from interacting with John, Anna and other young people affiliated with Earth Force the importance of listening to youth about matters of the future.

It reminded me that as educators and business people we did not have to always behave like the sage on the stage. Sometimes we can sit back and learn from youth. Although I had always enjoyed nature and worked on other environmental causes, Anna and John were great environmental teachers for me.

As the Chinese saying goes, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

China’s World Expo

The People’s Republic of China is hosting the World Expo in Shanghai this year. If there is a more polluted country on this planet, I have not been there.

Yet, having traveled around China for the past 20 years, I also have seen a growing interest in addressing the man-made problems that nation’s rapid industrialization has caused. This focus is painfully slow — certainly economic development has trumped environmental concerns as China has rushed to catch up to the rest of the world — but is about to speed up.

Shanghai Exposition 2010 will attract governments and people from across the world, focusing on the theme “Better City, Better Life.” World Expositions are galleries of human inspirations, ideas and ideals. From May 1 to October 31, an estimated 70 million people will witness a display of urban civilization, exchange their experiences of urban development, disseminate advanced notions on cities and explore new approaches to human habitat, lifestyle and working conditions in the new century. Expo attendees will learn to create an eco-friendly society and maintain sustainable development.

All this from a country that was opened to the rest of the world a mere 30 years ago!

The sheer fact that China chose the theme “Better City, Better Life” bodes well for the planet. The Expo’s motto is: “Keeping in mind the next 60 years development while preparing for the next six months.”

China’s goal is to leapfrog the U.S. in green technology. We cannot allow this to happen.

Governor Granholm, forward thinking and fighting to diversify Michigan’s stagnant economy, has been in front of the “green revolution.” She understands we can make “green” and create jobs while we help to clean up the planet.

The governor is working double shifts in her attempt to make Michigan a new green economy powerhouse.

Clearly, we have the intellectual firepower in our exceptional public and private universities, together with the engineering and manufacturing know-how in our DNA, to position ourselves to become this reimagined Michigan.

he governor has found a partner with deep pockets in the Obama administration, which has been pushing green development.

Ford’s Better Idea

Bill Ford, at the opening day of the North American International Auto show in Detroit, announced the creation of 1,000 news jobs at the Wayne assembly plant building the new, green Ford Focus. He called the governor “a cheerleader, a thought leader” for clean, sustainable energy for Michigan.

This is great news for working men and women who would like nothing better than to see all this “green” talk putting some green in their pockets by helping them get back to work. When the governor announced her green push a year ago she said, “these initiatives are all about going from rust to green.”

The governor, at the auto show press conference with Bill Ford, praised Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon for putting aside the usual partisan bickering and working with her to craft alternative energy legislation that will help create jobs for the residents of our state.

The public and private investments in green and new battery technology have exceeded $2 billion, could help create thousands of new 21st century jobs in Michigan and have helped jumpstart the domestic auto industry.

These investments are a powerful emotional lift to a state that has lost nearly a million jobs over the last decade. Yet, we must continue to put the pedal to the metal in the alternative energy arena or we will be overtaken.

China has its eye on becoming the green capital of the world and has the drive and resources to get there.

While it is good news for the planet that both the U.S. and China are focused on developing green technology, we cannot afford to lose the new green arms race with China.

As the Chinese would say, man was given two ears and one mouth so that he can listen twice as much as he speaks. China studies, listens and then moves quickly to change and to win. Their actions and ours have helped to destroy the environment. Now, both countries, for economic and altruistic reasons, are attempting a cleanup that will impact all of humanity.

As the 21st century unfolds we ought to listen to the youth of this country about the value of green sustainable development as we invest in the R&D that will keep us competitive on the world stage.

We need to continue to think globally and act locally as we work to build a harmonious, sustainable world for all — while creating jobs here at home.

Footnote: Dow Corning recently announced the creation of a China Business and Technology Center in Zhangjiang. According to Tom Cook, Dow Corning corporate vice president, Northeast Asia president and Greater China president, the center will be staffed by hundreds of knowledge workers, engineers, scientists and marketing professionals helping to develop innovative solutions to improve the quality of life of the people of China by “addressing megatrends such as renewable energy, climate protection, water conservation and urbanization.”

Tom Watkins is a close friend and an education and business consultant in the U.S. and China and served as Michigan’s state superintendent of schools from 2001-2005. He was also former President and CEO of Palm Beach County's Economic Council. He is a frequent contributor to COTW and to Dome Magazine, where this article first appeared. Be sure also to read his “Bridge to China” cover story which appeared in September's edition of Dome.