LOS ANGELES, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The 18th International Forum on Ecological Civilization kicked off Thursday at Pomona College in the U.S. city of Claremont, as ecological experts around the world warned that mankind needs to take more drastic actions to preserve the ecological environment before it's too late.
Themed "Is It Too Late? Toward an Ecological Civilization," a question drawn from works of the late U.S. ecological theologist John Cobb, the forum is set to discuss theories and practices of ecological civilization, and the reforms needed in politics, economics, business, education and AI, among other fields, to promote the construction of ecological civilization.
Fan Meijun, program director of the Institute for Postmodern Development of China, noted in her remarks at the opening ceremony that this year's forum falls on World Environment Day.
"There could not be a more fitting moment to come together and ask the bigger question: Is it too late? This is not just a question of our time, it's a question for the future of all life," Fan said, injecting a sense of urgency into the discussion.
Many participants of the forum lauded China's efforts in protecting the environment and promoting ecological civilization.
David Schwerin, author of many books including "Conscious Capitalism: Principles for Prosperity," said he had been to China nine times since 2001 and had witnessed the dramatic change in China's environment.
China's progress is the result of resolve and evolving views of both the government and the people, said Schwerin, while expressing the hope that China's experience can help to bring other countries along.
More than 100 scholars from China, the United States, Canada, South Korea, Hungary, Brazil, Germany, Italy, India and Britain are participating in the forum. Among them are more than 20 experts from Chinese institutions such as Beijing Normal University, Nanjing University and Shanxi University.
The three-day event is co-organized by the Center for Process Studies, the Institute for Postmodern Development of China, Pomona College, and the municipal government of Claremont, among others.
The International Forum on Ecological Civilization was first held in 2006. ■
