A Modern Approach to an Age-Old Problem
John's Little Green Book
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3y ago
One of the most memorable scenes in Burgess’s 1962 novel, A Clockwork Orange, is when the protagonist Alex is forced to undergo behavior modification therapy. Eyes wired open, he is injected with nauseating drugs and forced to watch scenes of violence. ​ ​​This “Ludovico Technique” is a form of aversion therapy where Alex is made to associate bad behaviors with negative physical reactions. The result is an incredible turnaround where a once ultraviolent young man learns to abhor all things evil.   Of course, this is just the stuff of fiction right?   It was…until last year ..read more
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Profiles in Responsibility: Ma Jun
John's Little Green Book
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3y ago
​There is no single name more synonymous with environmentalism in China than Ma Jun. Over his 30-plus year career, Ma has not only shone a spotlight on the state of China’s environment, but also paved a path forward. This Earth Day, we salute him and his work. Ma started as an investigative journalist with the South China Morning Post. His pieces on the environment eventually garnered him international attention. Time Magazine once named him one of the world’s 100 most influential people, and he has received the Goldman Environmental Prize and Skoll Award. His books are likened by many to Chi ..read more
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Combatting China's Obesity Epidemic
John's Little Green Book
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3y ago
Late last year, China was named the world’s fattest country. Currently 10.8% of men and 14.9% of women, or nearly 90 million citizens, are considered overweight. ​ Looking at young adults and children under 20, the World Food Program notes 23% of boys and 14% of girls are overweight or obese. While much of this is concentrated in China’s wealthier urban centers, rural habits are also creating problems. One study found that in rural Shandong, obesity grew by 1,700% in boys and 1,100% in girls over the past 20 years.   While there is plenty of room for blame, whether that’s fast food ..read more
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Shanghai's Smoking Ban: One Year On
John's Little Green Book
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3y ago
The unmistakable “click, click, click” of a cigarette lighter. The sound’s as ubiquitous on Shanghai streets as dumplings and arguments. It’s a rare day I’m not caught behind someone, usually moving at a glacial pace, as they light up. Instinctively I duck and dodge to avoid them, but inevitably end up inhaling enough of the acrid smoke to turn my stomach.   A year ago, the Shanghai Government stepped in to curb smoking across this city of 30 million.   “According to a new law effective from March 1, smoking is prohibited in indoor public areas, offices and on public transport. All ..read more
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Money, Money, Money
John's Little Green Book
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3y ago
​When friends visit me in Shanghai, one of the first comments they make is just how expensive the city can be. Whether that’s the cost for clothing (“But it’s all made here! Why is it so expensive?”), to a cup of coffee (“$7 for Starbucks!”), to the exorbitant housing prices (“You pay how much a month!”) it’s clear money doesn’t stretch here as far as people think.   And that’s for those with white-collar jobs.   What about the millions of migrants, blue-collar workers, and unemployed? What’s life like for them?   While I can’t pretend to get into their heads, or walk a mile i ..read more
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Harnessing AI for Good
John's Little Green Book
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3y ago
We’ve been hearing a lot about how artificial intelligence is helping companies like Alibaba and Amazon conquer a new frontier in consumerism. But, does AI only belong in the realm of the private sector?   If you ask Ma Huateng, founder and CEO of China’s Tencent (not to mention China’s richest person), he’d have over a billion reasons to tell you it doesn’t.   Tencent operates China’s premier social network app, WeChat. With over 1 billion users and 38 billion messages sent daily, WeChat is as indispensable to life in China as water. For those out of the loop, WeChat is essentiall ..read more
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Heartless
John's Little Green Book
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3y ago
New York City has the Battery. London has its Square Mile. Sydney its Rocks. Every major global city, no matter how big or cosmopolitan they may become, has within it the original settlements upon which they’re built. In essence, the heart of their city. Most hold onto these historic districts as a link to their past. In recent years, there has been a renaissance in their redevelopment, testament to the importance these areas play in the narrative of a city. Until this month, Shanghai had Laoximen. The neighborhood, literally translated as Old West Gate, is the closest thing Shanghai had to ..read more
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What's in Store for 2018?
John's Little Green Book
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3y ago
​From the infamous shared-bike companies, to tech innovations for the environment, 2017 was the year of the social entrepreneur in China. What’s in store for 2018? Check out four of my predictions impacting China’s social space this upcoming year. ​  #1 - Supply Chain Chaos Throughout 2017, the Chinese Government closed nearly 40% of the country’s factories in an effort to enforce stronger environmental regulations. These inspections, and closures, will continue this year as the net tightens.   Global supply chains have weathered the storm fairly well thus far because most closures ..read more
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2017 Year in Review
John's Little Green Book
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3y ago
When historians look back at 2017 what will they remember most? Certainly political upheavals the world over – from Trump’s surprise election, to Brexit, to the rise of nationalism in Europe – will deserve their own chapters in our schoolbooks. Most important, and probably not so evident just yet, will be the debut of China as a true global leader. It’s precisely these political changes to the world order precipitating China’s strategic shift. Key to its moral and ethical positioning is the country’s stance, investment, and direction on developing a more sustainable future. We’ve already loo ..read more
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China's Top 10 Eco-Innovations 2017
John's Little Green Book
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3y ago
From the inventive to the asinine, Chinese innovation has been on full display this year. Beyond the headlines dominated by its domestic tech giants, more impactful ideas are working to ensure a sustainable future.   Here are this year’s top 10 Chinese eco-innovations.  #10 – The Straddling Bus Heralded as a way to curb nightmarish congestion in cities like Beijing, this bus would literally fly over traffic. Unfortunately, plans were scrapped earlier this year.  ​#9 – Shanghai’s Farming District A 250-acre farming district has been approved for construction in ..read more
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