Hainan University (HNU) held its 31st Distinguished Scientist Lecture at the auditorium of the Tin Ka Ping Building on the afternoon of October 31. The event featured a lineup of distinguished experts, including Prof. Yu Kongjian of Peking University, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS), Glen T. Daigger, a member of both the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), Peter Head, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and Cynthia E. Smith, a curator at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. The event centered on the theme “Climate Design 2024” and drew enthusiastic participation from HNU faculty members and students. Secretary of CPC HNU Committee Fu Xuanguo, and other senior leaders Gao Diangong, Zou Yonghua and Yang Zhixin were in attendance. The lecture was chaired by Zou Yonghua.

Lecture venue (Photo by Zhang Mingyang)

Prof. Yu Kongjian’s presentation focused on “Climate Resilience: The Chinese Model”, where he elaborated on concepts such as “Sponge Cities” and the “Sponge Earth”. Using real-world examples like the Meishe River in Haikou and the mangrove forest restoration in Sanya, he demonstrated how integrating natural and infrastructure can enhance flood control, mitigate climate risks, and promote the sustainable development of ecosystem. Yu emphasized that China’s nature-based approaches offer viable solutions to building global climate resilience.

Yu Kongjian delivering the lecture (Photo by Zheng Kaiwen)

Glen T. Daigger spoke on “Climate Design and Infrastructure: Water, Environmental Engineering and Climate Change”, exploring the vast potential of technological innovation in water resource management and sewage treatment. Daigger stressed that innovation and transformation are essential for sustainable development, which calls for the integration of narratives and actions among diverse stakeholders, through formal and informal processes, to enhance the efficiency of water management.

Glen T. Daigger delivering the lecture (Photo by Zheng Kaiwen)

Peter Head’s presentation, titled “Climate Change, Urbanization, and Infrastructure”, provided an in-depth analysis of key strategies, including the decarbonization of energy and transportation systems, efficient land use for the water-energy-food nexus, and the implementation of reforestation, agroforestry, and nature-based solutions to enhance biodiversity. He emphasized the significance of integrating natural ecosystems with urban infrastructure to bolster urban resilience and sustainability.

Peter Head delivering the lecture (Photo by Guo Yiliang)

Cynthia E. Smith explored “Design for Climate Change and Social Responsibility,” addressing themes such as localized solutions, shared spaces, anticipated and sustainable climate future, ethical climate engineering, and inequitable climate responses. She emphasized the role of design in alleviating poverty, improving communities, and driving sustainable development, underlining the transformative impact of design in advancing social progress and environmental improvement worldwide.

Cynthia E. Smith delivering the lecture (Photo by Guo Yiliang)

The auditorium was packed to capacity and the audience were deeply engrossed in the presentations of the preeminent scholars. A lively Q&A session followed and the speakers offered detailed and insightful answers.

Q&A session (Photo by Guo Yiliang)

Students and teachers from different campuses and science & education parks, as well as officials from the Hainan Association for Science and Technology and relevant departments of HNU, attended the event in person or online. 

Source from HNU News 

Translated by Han Yunsheng 

Proofread by Kuang Xiaowen, Yang Jie