On April 9, 2025, the Center for Whitehead Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study and the School of General Educatiof Beijing Normal Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) on jointly hosted a lecture series at the Performance Hall. The lecture was delivered by Professor Mary Evelyn Tucker, a Professor at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and Co-Director of the Forum on Religion and Ecology. The lecture, titled "Ecological Civilization and the Pathway for Dialogue with Traditional Chinese Thought," systematically explained the policy framework of China’s ecological civilization construction and the contemporary value of traditional Chinese philosophy. The lecture attracted many faculty, students, scholars, and environmental practitioners.

Professor Mary Tucker delivering the lecture

Professor Guo Haipeng, Director of the Center for Whitehead Studies, introduced Professor Tucker

The Center for Whitehead Studies presented a gift to Professor Tucker

Present Professor Mary Tucker and her husband John Grim (also a professor at Yale University) with a letter of appointment.

1. Ecological Civilization: From Constitutional Framework to Cultural Revival

Professor Mary Tucker began by pointing out that China's "ecological civilization" policy, which has been enshrined in the Constitution for thirty years, is little known in the West. This policy not only stems from top-level government design but also reflects long-term exploration by universities and think tanks. After successfully lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty during its modernization process, China is now entering a new stage of ecological civilization, aiming to balance economic development with ecological health and address the challenges of air, water, and soil pollution caused by industrialization.

Professor Tucker reviewed her observations of China’s academic field since 1986. She noted that many universities across China, from Shanxi Datong in the north to Yunnan Pu'er in the south, have established ecological civilization research institutes, promoting environmental education and talent cultivation. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has even established the "Ecological Civilization Research Institute," marking the deep integration of this topic in both academic and practical realms. She especially mentioned her 2008 meeting with China’s environmental pioneer Pan Yue, highlighting Pan’s view that the effective implementation of environmental law must be based on ecological culture, and that traditional Chinese thought provides crucial resources for this.

2. Ecological Wisdom in Traditional Philosophy and Modern Transformation

Professor Tucker delved into how Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism offer insights for ecological civilization. She pointed out that while China’s economy has rapidly developed, it is rediscovering the social and ecological wisdom embedded in its traditional culture. Confucianism’s cosmic view of "the unity of heaven and man," Daoism’s humble spirit of "Dao follows nature," and Buddhism’s compassionate concept of "the equality of all beings" all provide philosophical foundations for constructing modern ecological ethics.

She used Harvard University’s "World Religions and Ecology" program as an example to explain how cross-cultural dialogue can inspire diverse environmental ethics. The program, which lasted from 1995 to 1998, brought together hundreds of scholars from around the world and published ten books such as Confucianism and Ecology, Daoism and Ecology, and Buddhism and Ecology, which were later translated into Chinese. Professor Tucker emphasized that these studies not only promoted the international dissemination of Chinese traditional wisdom but also provided theoretical support for local ecological practices.

Audience attentively listening

3. Ecological Civilization Practice from a Global Perspective

Drawing from the research of Yale University’s Forum on Religion and Ecology, Professor Tucker proposed that the realization of ecological civilization must go beyond the technical level and integrate cultural values. She mentioned that in recent years, China has been promoting the revival of traditional culture combined with ecological practices in universities, such as through the interpretation of classics and pilot programs for organic farming to explore sustainable pathways. Policy makers like Pan Yue also advocate that ecological civilization should center around the traditional concept of "harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity" to construct a cultural identity for environmental governance.

She further shared the documentary Journey of the Universe, produced by her team, which blends science and humanities to depict the evolution of the Earth community and calls for global ecological responsibility. Professor Tucker noted that China’s ecological civilization construction not only concerns local practice but also serves as a model for global climate action, providing developing countries with transformation experiences through policy innovation and cultural awareness.

Audience Q&A and discussion

At the end of the lecture, the audience engaged in deep discussions on topics such as "How can the philosophy of the I Ching empower ecological civilization design?" and "How can intellectual property (IP) policies balance innovation incentives with ecological protection?" One scholar asked if the I Ching’s dynamic balance philosophy could offer a methodology for urban ecological planning. Professor Tucker responded that the I Ching's concept of "change" aligns well with adaptive management of ecosystems, and future research should further explore its integration with modern science. Another audience member with an economics background discussed how intellectual property systems could balance innovation and ecological protection, sparking a debate on the mechanisms for sharing green technologies.

The discussion remained lively after the lecture

In his closing remarks, Professor Haipeng Guo, Director of the Center for Whitehead Studies, stated that this lecture not only clarified the policy framework and traditional roots of ecological civilization but also activated dialogue between academic and practical realms with a cross-disciplinary perspective. The Head of the College of General Education emphasized that the global advancement of ecological civilization requires educational innovation to cultivate the next generation of talent, combining cultural self-awareness with technological literacy.

Group photo of participants