The story of Charles J. Dukes (and his lady)

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

In the thousands of people I meet in Beijing (I have about 3,000 business cards), there are some colorful figures you learn to appreciate and who become good friends.
One is Charles, with whom I have long conversations on China, our ups and downs, on photography and whatever. And we can tackle very well a couple of beers. Charles is also a valuable contributor to my book Toxic Capitalism, through his pictures and his advice.
So I was impressed with part of his life story here:
http://www.sino-us.com/21/A-Vietnam-War-veteran-living-in-China.html
His wife, Wang Nanfei, is an exceptional lady, a remarkable artist, a bit shy and mostly too modest.
Here messages (edited) I had sent to Charles:
1 a.m. I’m sitting in my library. This black book is staring at me. What  is this: “The Fear of Overlook”?
Damn! It’s Nanfei’s book.
So dark, so troubling; I don’t like the style. But, still, it fascinates me.
‘Kiss’ So simple, yet so deep. ‘Warm Sun’ only I understand?
Nanfei is not of this world. Her style sometimes hurts the eye; still, you want to look again: very special, troubling, unique.
She is deep: too much of a knife cutting you, but you reluctantly stay for more.
Man, you don’t know what you have on your side. Maybe the world will one day discover her. Her problem is that most of her work … you don’t want to look at it every day (OK, that is in my case). It’s provocative and hurting.

Her book (not showing the so-called “troubling” pieces)

She is a genius.
I knew it when I saw her the first time. I looked into her eyes and saw a whirlpool, lava turning around. A very special lady. Believe me, I might be over-complex, but I can see what others don’t. Let’s have a beer sometime. Take care my friend. Send her my thoughts.”
Gilbert – Beijing, 30 July 2012

The Study Road 2013 finished!

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

I wrote about this great adventure in a previous post.
See here their “Final” report:
After 12.500 kilometres of cycling, crossing 7 countries, cycling through deserts, mountains, rain, storm, snow and valleys we made it to Beijing!
On the 6th of August the Study Road team arrived at the Dutch Embassy in Beijing where they were welcomed by the Ambassador. The program continued with lectures about Chinese environmental issues, history of Confucianism, and economy.
Sleeping in tents was not necessary anymore. The Peninsula, one of the most luxurious hotels in Beijing offered a room to each participant. So before everybody continued it’s journey in a different direction they were spoiled in the luxury of one room per person, delicious breakfast, a pool and a gym.


Arrival in front of The Forbidden City in Beijing

It has been a long journey with many adventures. Thanks to the enthusiasm and positive vibes of the team we made the first edition of the Study Road a success. So a big thank you to the pioneers who made the Study Road a reality and not just an idea!
And a big thank you to the participating universities, the guest speakers, the travel agencies and the volunteers that have been helping!
WE DID IT!
– Joya van Hout –
Read the full report: http://tinyurl.com/matpf6t

Climate Panel Cites Near Certainty on Warming

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

See the full article: 19 August 2013 – By JUSTIN GILLIS, The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/20/science/earth/extremely-likely-that-human-activity-is-driving-climate-change-panel-finds.html?ref=justingillis
An international panel of scientists has found with near certainty that human activity is the cause of most of the temperature increases of recent decades, and warns that sea levels could conceivably rise by more than three feet (that like 1 m) by the end of the century if emissions continue at a runaway pace.
The scientists, whose findings are reported in a draft summary of the next big United Nations climate report, largely dismiss a recent slowdown in the pace of warming, which is often cited by climate change doubters, attributing it most likely to short-term factors.
The report emphasizes that the basic facts about future climate change are more established than ever, justifying the rise in global concern. It also reiterates that the consequences of escalating emissions are likely to be profound.
“It is extremely likely that human influence on climate caused more than half of the observed increase in global average surface temperature from 1951 to 2010,” the draft report says. “There is high confidence that this has warmed the ocean, melted snow and ice, raised global mean sea level and changed some climate extremes in the second half of the 20th century.”
The draft comes from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a body of several hundred scientists that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, along with Al Gore.
One more report, to add to the ones cited in my book Toxic Capitalism.

The Study Road arrived from Istanbul in Beijing!

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Yes, a crazy bunch of young people made it from Istanbul (Turkey) to Beijing, some 12,500 Km, starting 7 March 2013 and ending 15 August.
See: http://www.thestudyroad.com/
The road: Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Beijing.
The team: Melanie Hoetmer (student in Neuroscience), Ben Seagar (Architect and winemaker), Hedda ten Holder (student in Media and Culture), Zhenbao Jin (Lawyer and Professor in Civil Law) and Joya van Hout (Founding Director), and other. Nationalities: The Netherlands, China, New Zealand.

I was fortunate to meet the team of these great adventurers in Beijing on 8 August and I talked about my book “Toxic Capitalism”, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and more. Location: 2nd floor of Nearby The Tree in Sanlitun.
Their tour is a great promotion for biking, especially in China where bikes are many but not used enough. I do see more and more Chinese young people on expensive and fancy bikes. Cool.

Fracking: Gangplank to a warmer world

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

See the article 28 July 2013 in NYT by Anthony R. Ingraffea:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/29/opinion/gangplank-to-a-warm-future.html
As I explain in my book Toxic Capitalism, fracking (hydraulic fracturing) might be a great new technology but if not done properly it carries very heavy risks for the environment. One of the dangers I mention is methane.
As Ingraffea mentions, methane is a far more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, though it doesn’t last nearly as long in the atmosphere. Still, over a 20-year period, one pound of it traps as much heat as at least 72 pounds of carbon dioxide. Its potency declines, but even after a century, it is at least 25 times as powerful as carbon dioxide. When burned, natural gas emits half the carbon dioxide of coal, but methane leakage eviscerates this advantage because of its heat-trapping power. This is the gas that is released into the atmosphere unburned as part of the fracking process, and also from pipelines, compressors and processing units.
A 2011 study from the National Center for Atmospheric Research concluded that unless leaks can be kept below 2%, gas coming from fracking lacks any climate advantage over coal. And a study released this May by Climate Central, a group of scientists and journalists studying climate change, concluded that the 50% climate advantage of natural gas over coal is unlikely to be achieved over the next three to four decades.
But be sure, the fracking lobby does not want to talk about this.
Our solution? Waste less, consume wisely, reduce energy consumption, and don’t cut corners in the quest for energy and raw materials.