On March 22, 2013, the first ever US-China Greener Consumption Forum will convene in Washington DC to address the environmental challenges that both countries face due to consumption. It will be the first ever gathering of women leaders from the two “consumer super powers” to discuss how consumption affects the environment. With women being the predominant household shopper, this conference’s goal is to empower the “purse” to create a more sustainable future.
Focus on Consumption
Over consumption affects Climate Change and increases pollution, exposure to toxic substances and waste. Worse yet, consumption decreases natural resources. According to a 2009 Sustainable Research Europe Institute (SERI) report, humans extract and use 50% more natural resources than thirty years ago. The report further states that people in rich countries consume up to ten times more resources then people in poorer countries.
The United States and China consume the most oil in the world. In fact, in 2010 China surpassed the United States in energy consumption according to the Wall Street Journal.
Women need to harness the purse to change our environment. —>Click this link to Tweet.
Consuming More Sustainably
Buying less is always the first rule of thumb to creating a more sustainable world. A plethora of expert consumption speakers such as the former Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Lisa Jackson, Huan Gao, the mayor of Yichun, China; Xiang Guo, the General Director of the Chinese Women Activity Center, and Peter Banwell, Director of Product Marketing for Energy Star will explore ways to reduce consumption, as well as, how to consume more sustainably.
Programs such as ENERGY STAR, “Meatless Monday” as well similar examples in China will be highlighted to show the effectiveness of programs and grass roots ideas that alter what types products are consumed.
In addition, the speakers will showcase
- the need to include gender equity in sustainability strategies
- innovative campaigns that achieved significant changes in consumer behavior, including those that have helped reduce consumption
- companies that have successfully launched new green products in response to consumer demand, and explore opportunities for women to emerge as the entrepreneurial engine behind the global green economy.
Future Updates:
Due to the Forum’s popularity, registration is now closed. However, to stay in the loop before, during, and after the conference:
- Sign up for email updates.
- Follow updates on the Forum’s Facebook page to receive update before, during, and after the conference
- Follow the Twitter conversation at hashtag # uschinagreenforum.
Both Karen Lee and I on behalf of Green Sisterhood, as a media partner for the Forum, will be tweeting and sharing insights from the Forum. Follow greensisterhood’s hashtag #GSGF13 and the Green Sisterhood Facebook page for our perspective.
Join the Conversation:
- Is harnessing the purse the answer to our environmental issues?
- What do you think the outcome will be from this conference?
Diane MacEachern says
Anna, Thanks for letting your community know about the US China Greener Consumption Forum. It is so important that we work globally to address the environmental problems that affect us all. This Forum will hopefully start building relationships that will make a difference not just to the US and China, but to the rest of the world as well.
Anna@Green Talk says
Diane, absolutely! I think this forum is going to show the world that we can consume sustainably which will in turn encourage strides in greening companies’ product lines. It all starts with the “purse.”