144
C. Chen
the new normal of readjustment from high-speed growth to high-quality development. In advancing the development of an ecological civilization, there are still a lot
of hurdles to cross and a host of stubborn maladies to cure. Arguably, the situation
is still grim due to multiple pressures.
Now, the primary contradiction in Chinese society has transformed into that
between imbalanced and inadequate development and the people’s growing needs
for a better life, and the people’s demands for a beautiful environment have
already become an important aspect of this challenge. General Secretary Xi Jinping
demanded that we must step up our efforts to build an ecological civilization and
solve environmental problems with the determination to make painful changes, the
courage to stand and fight, and the will to commit every last ounce of our effort.
It is an unavoidable and urgent responsibility to strengthen the development of an
ecological civilization which should be pushed forward with vigorous efforts.
4 Some Ideas for Promoting Ecological Civilization
The development of an ecological civilization involves a wide range of areas and
a lot of efforts, relying on scientific and technological progress, an advanced and
developed economy, a sound legal system, coordinated social development and the
prosperity of the people. People and ideas hold the key to achieving these conditions.
We need to start with management of people and promote harmony between man
and nature. The following aspects should be strengthened to actively stimulate and
bring into play the initiative of people in developing an ecological civilization.
1. Fostering ethics of ecological civilization in ideological concepts
It should at least include the “four virtues”: the virtue of respecting nature, the political virtue of green development, the social morality of protecting the environment
and the moral character of frugality and abstinence from extravagance. The virtue of
respecting nature means that reverence for nature comes from your inner mind, you
should act according to the laws of nature, and actively pursue the harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Regarding the political virtue of green development,
the development for future generations and for long-term peace and security aims
to reach a balance between immediate and long-term interests. Both material assets
and beautiful environments are emphasized equally in a sound manner. We must put
an end to striving for resources for personal gains at a high cost of the environment.
The social morality of protecting the environment requires that everyone is responsible for protecting the environment and working for clean production, low-carbon
travel and green living. We should foster our moral character of frugality and abstinence from extravagance to live a hardworking, thrifty, simple, civilized and healthy
way of life, cherish every drop of water, every grain of rice, every piece of green
space, and every degree of electricity, and refrain from wastefulness, extravagance
and squandering of resources.
C. Chen
the new normal of readjustment from high-speed growth to high-quality development. In advancing the development of an ecological civilization, there are still a lot
of hurdles to cross and a host of stubborn maladies to cure. Arguably, the situation
is still grim due to multiple pressures.
Now, the primary contradiction in Chinese society has transformed into that
between imbalanced and inadequate development and the people’s growing needs
for a better life, and the people’s demands for a beautiful environment have
already become an important aspect of this challenge. General Secretary Xi Jinping
demanded that we must step up our efforts to build an ecological civilization and
solve environmental problems with the determination to make painful changes, the
courage to stand and fight, and the will to commit every last ounce of our effort.
It is an unavoidable and urgent responsibility to strengthen the development of an
ecological civilization which should be pushed forward with vigorous efforts.
4 Some Ideas for Promoting Ecological Civilization
The development of an ecological civilization involves a wide range of areas and
a lot of efforts, relying on scientific and technological progress, an advanced and
developed economy, a sound legal system, coordinated social development and the
prosperity of the people. People and ideas hold the key to achieving these conditions.
We need to start with management of people and promote harmony between man
and nature. The following aspects should be strengthened to actively stimulate and
bring into play the initiative of people in developing an ecological civilization.
1. Fostering ethics of ecological civilization in ideological concepts
It should at least include the “four virtues”: the virtue of respecting nature, the political virtue of green development, the social morality of protecting the environment
and the moral character of frugality and abstinence from extravagance. The virtue of
respecting nature means that reverence for nature comes from your inner mind, you
should act according to the laws of nature, and actively pursue the harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Regarding the political virtue of green development,
the development for future generations and for long-term peace and security aims
to reach a balance between immediate and long-term interests. Both material assets
and beautiful environments are emphasized equally in a sound manner. We must put
an end to striving for resources for personal gains at a high cost of the environment.
The social morality of protecting the environment requires that everyone is responsible for protecting the environment and working for clean production, low-carbon
travel and green living. We should foster our moral character of frugality and abstinence from extravagance to live a hardworking, thrifty, simple, civilized and healthy
way of life, cherish every drop of water, every grain of rice, every piece of green
space, and every degree of electricity, and refrain from wastefulness, extravagance
and squandering of resources.