Utah-Taihu Institute of Environmental Research

In June 2009 UTIER organized a conference that brought a delegation from Utah to Wuxi to discuss with Chinese scholars, scientists and government officials collaborative efforts to address environmental and renewable energy issues, specifically those affecting the Taihu Lake region.

The Utah delegation was led by Dr. Mary Hubbard, Dean of the College of Science at Utah State University (USU). Members of the Jon Huntsman School of Business participated along with Mark Thomas, Director of Field Studies, and Dora Brunson, Program Coordinator for International Program Development of USU. Professors from The University of Utah also joined the delegation, including Dr. Andy Hong from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Dr. Dennis Wei from the Geography Department and the Institute of Public and International Affairs.

The Chinese conference participants included major universities and research institutes in the Taihu area, including the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Fudan University, Nanjing University, Jiangnan University, and Jiangsu Academy of Environmental Sciences. Queen’s University from Canada also attended the conference and later expressed interest in joining the consortium.

The U.S. and Chinese scientists reached a consensus during the two-day conference that environmental data integration is a key barrier that prevents a holistic study of Taihu. In order to design a comprehensive long-term plan for the Lake Management and sustainability, a central data depository is necessary. Recommendations for the Wuxi government were discussed. All attendants were interested in participating in the execution and follow-up of action items, focusing on the strategies of a holistic environmental management of the Lake Taihu. The delegation also had the chance to meet with Wuxi First Deputy Mayor, Mr. Jie Xu and they exchanged environmental management experience with Wuxi Municipal Government Officials.