Vermont Journal of Environmental Law

On March 1-2, 2007, VJEL held its seventh annual spring symposium on "China in Transition: Environmental Challenges in the Far East." The topic of the environmental challenges in China, both timely and engaging, has been rising in significance in a number of venues over the past decade. As China grows in force both economically and politically, it becomes increasingly important to examine the pressing environmental questions that necessarily stem from rapid development. By hosting a Symposium aimed at igniting dialogue and solutions around this topic of global concern, VJEL is excited to be a part of expanding Vermont Law School's recognition as a cutting-edge institution focused on environmental law. The Symposium brought advocates, government officials, attorneys, and citizens from all across the United States and China to the Vermont Law School campus in South Royalton.

The event was sponsored by the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law, the Vermont Law School, the VLS Institute for Energy and the Environment, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

You may access audio files and transcripts of the speeches and panel discussions below.

Opening Speech, Wang Canfa, Special Functions of Promoting Public Participation in Environmental Protection in Aiding Pollution Victims (Mar. 1, 2006).

Length: 87 minutes [audio wav (220MB)] [audio mp3 (40MB)] [transcript pdf] [presentation ppt]

Professor Wang Canfa is Professor at the China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing and Director of the Center for Legal Assistance to Pollution Victims.

Keynote Speech, Jerome Cohen, An Introduction to Law in China (Mar. 2, 2006).

Length: 63 minutes [audio mp3 (27MB)] [transcript pdf] [presentation ppt]

Professor Jerome A. Cohen is Professor at New York University School of Law, Counsel in Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP, and Senior Fellow for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Panel Discussion, Energy: China's Current Status and Future Outlook (Mar. 2, 2006).

Length: 59 minutes [audio mp3 (24MB)] [transcript pdf]

Mark Levine, Director of the Environmental Energy Technologies Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. [presentation ppt]

Frederick Weston, Director of the Regulatory Assistance Project. [presentation ppt (10MB)]

Mingde Cao, Professor, Southwest University of Political Science and Law and Director of the Environmental Law Center of Western China. [presentation ppt]

Discussion, Environmental Challenges Facing Rural Areas in the Process of Industrialization (Mar. 2, 2006).

Length: 46 minutes [audio mp3 (18MB)] [transcript pdf]

Professor Li Zhiping, Professor of Law at Sun Yat-sen University and Director of the Environmental Law Clinic at the Law School of Sun Yat-sen University. [ppt]

Panel Discussion, The International Silk Road: Engaging Domestic Efforts to Protect China's Environment (Mar. 2, 2006).

Length: 111 minutes [audio mp3 (46MB)] [transcript pdf]

Wang Canfa, Professor at the China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing and Director of the Center for Legal Assistance to Pollution Victims. [presentation ppt]

Margret Kim, Public Adviser, California Energy Commission. [presentation ppt]

Patti Goldman, Managing Attorney, Earthjustice. [presentation ppt]

Alex Wang, Attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council in Beijing and Director of the China Environmental Law Project.

Panel Discussion, Regulating China's Water Resources: Discussing Government, Business, & Community Perspectives, Concerns, & Responsibilities (Mar. 2, 2006).

Length: 63 minutes [audio mp3 (27MB)] [transcript pdf]

Marcia Mulkey, Director of the United States Environmental Protection Agency's National Enforcement Training Institute Division. [presentation ppt]

Dr. Irene Klaver, Associate Professor, University of North Texas, Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies, and Director of the Philosophy of Water Issues Program. [presentation ppt (1.2MB)]