The 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 27) is taking place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt from Nov 6 to 18, 2022. On Nov 8, the side event of “Climate and Civilization Development along the Silk Road - Learn from the Past” was successfully held in China Pavilion of COP 27. Organizing by ANSO Association for Trans-Eurasia Exchange and Silk-Road Civilization Development (ATES), the event is in response to the position and proposition of the Chinese government on climate change policies and actions. The event was broadcasted by China Environment News to show new findings of Chinese scientists in Trans-Eurasia exchanges and Silk Road civilization studies.
Prof. Fahu Chen, Academician of CAS, director of the ITPCAS, founding president of ATES, introduced the latest progresses on the climate and environmental changes, and their effects on the development of Silk Road civilizations. Representatives of ATES Working Groups delivered keynote speeches. Prof. Xing Gao from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, CAS, presented new evidence during the Paleolithic period in China, and showed the context of the migration and cultural exchange of the Eurasian continent. Dr. Minmin Ma from Lanzhou University, introduced the prehistoric trans-Eurasia communication process and its effects on the survival strategies of Chinese populations. Dr. Wei Chen from the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, CAS, compared historical technological achievements in China with countries along the Silk Roads. Prof. Quanbo Liu from Lanzhou University, explained the significance of the westbound literatures. Dr. Shengqian Chen from the ITPCAS showed his integrated study on Holocene moisture change over Arid Central Asia (ACA).
Following the presentations, the participants discussed the development and scopes of ATES. Prof. Fahu Chen emphasized that learning from the past is essential to coping with the threats from current climate and environmental changes. The prosperities of the Silk Roads in historical periods with active trans-continental exchanges are the best reflection for the shared future for mankind.
More than 300 scientists joined the event online and over 40,000 watched the broadcast at http://res.cenews.com.cn/h5/live.html?id=233&t=1668045700297.
