We just completed the Conference in Binzhou featuring a variety of brilliant experts in sustainability science, technology, policy and business.

Speakers included:

- Dr. Michael Weinstein, Director of the MSU Institute for Sustainability Studies
Adam Zellner, President of Greener By Design, former Corzine Chief Policy Advisor, Rutgers Professor

- Dr. Andrew Bernard, Harvard and Rice Universities, nanotechnology expert developed new thin-film solar panels

- John Calhoun, Redbank-based Natcore Solar, signed agreement with Chinese government

The conference was a big success, bringing together many disciplines to discuss sustainability initiatives and the future of the Yellow River Delta. We exchanged ideas about technology, lifestyle, economics and policy ­ extremely exciting to do in a place that is experiencing breathtaking growth and development.

The experiences of business leaders working in high-tech industries was particularly stimulating as they are pursuing best practices in efficiency, quality of service and continuous process improvement, which are of course relevant to providing government as well.

We agreed to future cooperation between Montclair and Binzhou so we can compare our own efforts at sustainability. Our EPA Climate Showcase grant will give us a great foundation for tracking how well our aspirations compare with our success. I've been discussing this with the co-chairs of the Environmental Commission and hope that collaboration with Binzhou can jumpstart new initiatives in Montclair.