Closing Public Program
Registration at 1.45 pm
Program at 2.00 pm
Close at 3.15 pm

“A great innovation is not enough. It must be adopted and used widely to have major impact and that starts with general understanding.” - George Smoot, 2006 Recipient of Nobel Prize in Physics

Mankind is living beyond its means. According to the WWF, humans are using 50% more resources than nature can replenish. As such, individuals, businesses and policymakers must consider the impact on the planet of every decision they make – in short, thinking and acting sustainably. Finding or creating innovations to solve sustainability-related problems is crucial to this. Is innovation enough to make significant changes to how we can live more sustainably? How can we encourage sustainable innovation from a technological, economic and societal perspective, to enable consumption and production in a sustainable way? How can entrepreneurship be utilized to imagine and actualize innovations to address sustainability-related problems? What are some of the new ideas that that could lead to radical shifts and changes in lifestyle? Join us for the closing public program of the 4th Nobel Laureates Symposium on Global Sustainability during which a distinguished group of experts will engage in a forward-looking discussion on some of the solutions that will ensure humanity can continue to support itself ecologically and economically.<

Prof. George F. Smoot has conducted research in cosmology and astrophysics for nearly four decades and has been director of a number of centers and institutes. The recipient of Nobel Prize in Physics in 2006, Prof. Smoot is most famous for his work on the cosmic background radiation - the relic radiation from the Big Bang. The author of more than 500 scientific papers and articles, he is active in educational activities, particularly in global sustainability. 

Ms. Mary Ritter is International Ambassador of Climate-KIC, the EU’s main climate innovation initiative and Europe’s largest public-private innovation partnership focused on mitigating and adapting to climate change. Following a Doctorate in immunology from Oxford University, she held academic posts in the US and UK, including Imperial College London. She was awarded an OBE in 2014 for her service to scientific research and innovation.

Mr. Jong Lee has spent over 15 years building and reinventing businesses in the US, Japan, South Korea and Greater China, specializing in technology, media, social enterprise and traditional industries. He recently set up global headquarters for Hanson Robotics here where he is CEO, and is Chairman of RGL, which led to the establishment of co-work and incubator platform, Hong Kong Commons.

Ms. Sonalie Galardi-Este Figueiras is Founder and CEO of Ekowarehouse, the first global B2B platform for certified green, organic, fair trade and ecolabel products and markets. She is also Founder and Editor-in-chief of Green Queen, a green living media platform. She has a background in real estate investment, banking, management consulting, online business strategy, web optimization and social branding.

Mr. Charles Ng heads one of two divisions helping overseas and Mainland Chinese companies establish or expand their business presence in Hong Kong. He has worked for companies in the manufacturing, trading and financial services and banking sectors. Mr. Ng holds an MBA awarded by HKUST and the Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University. (Moderator)

The 4th Nobel Laureates Symposium on Global Sustainability, co-organized by the Asia Society Hong Kong Center and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, takes place between April 22 and 25. Entitled “4C: Changing Climate, Changing Cities”, it brings together a distinguished group of Nobel Laureates, experts and academics in their respective fields to address crucial issues of global change, climate impacts and sustainable development.

Shuttle service generously supported by BMW

*Click here to return to the 4th Nobel Laureates Symposium on Global Sustainability -
“4C: Changing Climate, Changing Cities” webpage.