Culture and Climate Change — The Inevitable Thread
VIEW EVENT DETAILSEvening Panel Discussion
Reception 5:30pm
Discussion 6:00pm
Close 7:00pm
Climate change is the first truly planetary problem of the modern age and, as such, is inseparable from human cultural forces. Science informs us, but culture propels us, both forward and backward, as we try to come to terms with the complexities of climate change. Far from merely an environmental consideration, climate change leaves no aspect of our cultural, aesthetic and intellectual lives untouched — lacing from finance to philosophy, imagination to technology, arts and performance to engineering and industrial design, private preference to public policy, intangible to tangible. Cultural trends both excite us to confront the problem of climate change but also help delude us into normalizing and accepting its impacts. What are these cultural forces and how do they influence our approach to solving the real and impending climate change challenge? In particular, how are artists, architects, photographers, dancers et cetera — expressing themselves in relationship to climate change. The panel discussion with leading cultural and business figures will bridge aspects of culture and climate change in their personal and professional lives.
Annie Chen is the Founder and Chair of Hong Kong-based family office RS Group, which invests its capital sustainably and uses its resources to promote sustainable practices and economics. Ms. Chen also looks to seed particularly innovative philanthropic or impact investing strategies, aiming to enable the mainstreaming of environmental and social considerations in the wealth management context, particularly in Asia.
Pearl Lam is the Founder of Pearl Lam Galleries, which has five galleries across Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore. With more than 20 years of experience, Ms. Lam is considered a driving force in contemporary Asian art. She is known for encouraging cross-cultural exchanges and championing artists who challenge existing perceptions and practices, such as Yang Yongliang.
Michael MacLeod was appointed Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in 2011. Previous appointments include General and Artistic Director of Glimmerglass Opera in America and Director of the City of London Festival in the UK. Michael has travelled the world and — where climate change has had an impact — climbed Kilimanjaro and taken a small boat down the Mississippi.
Palani Mohan is the author of six books including his latest — Wind, Water. He is Indian born, Australian raised, and now living in Hong Kong. Palani’s work appears in such collections as the National Portrait Gallery in London and Visa Pour L’Image in Perpignan, France. Palani gives talks globally about his work and photography. He has won such awards as the World Press Photo and Picture of the Year International, Picture of the Year International, CHIPP, Communication Arts, and Sony International.
Paula DiPerna (Moderator), is a US-based expert on climate change and green finance and Visiting Fellow at Civic Exchange. She was President of the International Division at the Chicago Climate Exchange, and instrumental in establishing the Tianjin Carbon Exchange, China’s first pilot carbon trading market. Ms DiPerna is also a prolific author, commentator and filmmaker, who worked closely with underwater pioneer Jacques Cousteau to write and co-produce a dozen documentary films. Currently, she is also a Special Advisor to CDP, which pioneered environmental financial disclosure worldwide.
In Partnership with Civic Exchange
Event Details
Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty