Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the conference called "EcoSummit"?
Why is the main theme "complexity and sustainability"?
Why is the conference located in Beijing, China, Asia?
Why is the conference going to be held in 2007?
Why is the conference called "EcoSummit"?
Why is the conference called "EcoSummit"?
Where should I apply for financial support?
Why is the registration fee so low?
What's the meaning of the logo?
Where should I go if I plan to have a two weeks' follow-up trip in China?
Are there any local ecological organizations who can help me in eco-tourism?
What is the weather like in Beijing in May?
It is my first visit to Beijing, which sites are most worth a visit?
Is there any budget family-based boarding or youth hostels in Beijing?
Where can I find information about the food in Beijing and prices?
What will be the language of the conference?
What is the best way of getting around Beijing?
What is the exchange-rate of Chinese Yuan and US Dollar?
How can I get a cheaper ticket to Beijing?

1. Why is the conference called "EcoSummit"?

EcoSummit was initiated by Elsevier in association with the journals of Ecological Modelling, Ecological Engineering, Ecological Economics, Ecological Complexity, Ecological Indicators and Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management together with the affiliated societies in 1990s. The aim of EcoSummit is to encourage integration of both the natural and social sciences with the policy and decision-making community, for the purpose of developing a deeper understanding of complex ecological issues. This understanding will provide the basis for sustainable solutions to environmental problems. The structure of Eco-Summit is unique in the sense that it is a Summit rather than a workshop or conference. All delegates will be able to participate actively during the EcoSummit through the Working Groups, in addition to the symposiums, organized oral presentations and contributed poster sessions. The first and second EcoSummit were held at Copenhagen, Denmark, in August 1996 and Halifax, Canada, June 2000 respectively. These two occasions represented just a few ecological societies and ecological journals while this time, most main active ecological societies in the world either international, regional or national are engaged in the summit sponsoring activities. Therefore, "ECO" here means a bridge between man and nature, between ecology and economy, between natural and social science, between science and society. Summit here means the top academic and practical level of ecological research, top urgent and important ecological issues to be discussed, and top ecological societies and ecological journals engaged.

2. Why is the main theme "complexity and sustainability"?

The world is experiencing rapid urbanization, industrialization and globalization. The pace, depth, and magnitude of these changes, have exerted severe ecological stresses on both local human living conditions and regional life support ecosystem. Sustainability can only be assured with an ecological understanding of the complex interactions among environmental, economic, political, and social/cultural factors and with careful planning and management grounded in ecological principles. Eco-complexity and sustainability is becoming a core concept and instrument for improving our common future.

3. Why is the conference located in Beijing, China, Asia?

The former two summits were held in Denmark, Europe and Canada, North America, which are both industrialized countries. During the past decade, Asia, especially China, has become the most fast growing country economically, and its environmental change is significant. Both the complexity and sustainability issues in this region are rapidly emerging. Participants from all over the world can see the diversified development cases here in China, from primitive agriculture, earlier industrialization to post-industrialization stage. The experiences and lessons of China and Asia will certainly benefit other developing countries.

4. Why is the conference going to be held in 2007?

Beijing is preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games and most of the construction will be finished in 2007. The city is becoming beautiful and participants will be able to see some of the new facilities and can enjoy the new landscape before 2008. Late May is a good season for visiting Beijing as the climate is neither cold, nor hot, neither dry nor humid and the flowers are in bloom.

5. Why is the registration fee so low?

In order to attract more delegates from less developed countries and from theoretical ecological researchers, who's funds are often limited, the registration fee of this summit ($380) is lower than other international conferences held in Beijing.

6. What's the meaning of the logo?

The logo consists of two “E” and two “S” (frontal & reversed) or “3” and a laid down “H”, The shape of the logo resembles an ancient Chinese vessel, which means the power of heaven and stands for sustainability.
The logo shows an evolutionary picture of the complex world in Taoism: the Tao engenders one (the short vertical bar in the center), the one engenders two(the two horizontal bars in the middle), the two engender three (the two bars enclosed by reversed 3 at left and frontal 3 at right), and the three engender the infinite universe system (two frontal & reversed S consist of ∞).
Double “E” in the logo(frontal & reversed) means Ecology and Economy;
E & S means Eco-Summit, Eco-Sustainability, Eco-System & Eco-Service;
The ball means Sustainable Earth with Human being in it, which combines East & West, Ecology & Economy;
The logo means a combination of Yin (negative) & Yang (positive), “H” in the center of the earth means “man (+) and nature (-) be in one”;
The laid down “H” means labor in Chinese (“gong”) or engineering among two “E”, stands for Ecological & Economic Engineering;
The H, E, S & W consist of He, She & We – the Human being, also means Eco-Health & Eco-Safety;
The shape of the logo likes also the head of a panda, which means peace & harmony in China;
Designed by Zhang Lei, Dec. 2005 in Beijing.

7. Where should I apply for financial support?

The Organizing Committee of Eco Summit 2007 is trying to provide travel funds for people from different places via various sources. So far, some international/national scientific programs and organizations have shown us their enthusiasm, as well as selected private companies. Details will soon be available at www.ecosummit2007.elsevier.com/funding.htm.

8. How can I get budget accommodation in Beijing?

There are several hotels near the conference venue. We will provide a special rate for our participants of Eco Summit.

9. Where can I find information to help me plan a short visit in China after the conference?

For the post-conference program, the Organizing Committee will provide several tours. If you want to travel in China by yourself, we suggest you select carefully using the tour agencies recommended by us.

10. Where should I go if I plan to have a two weeks' follow-up trip in China?

Before you contact tour agencies upon arrival, websites of the China National Tourism Administration and the Beijing Tourism Administration are worth a look: ld.cnta.gov.cn/lyen/index.asp; english.bjta.gov.cn

11. Are there any local ecological organizations who can help me in eco-tourism?

Yes, the Ecological Society of China has branch ecological societies in 31 provinces, most of them can provide help or detailed information about eco-tourism in their province. Please contact the secretariat for more information.

12. What is the weather like in Beijing in May?

May in Beijing is sunny and warm. The average daily temperature is 16?, with its highest at around 20? and lowest at 12?. Details could be found at en.beijing2008.com/93/67/column211716793.shtml.

13. It is my first visit to Beijing, which sites are most worth a visit?

You can visit the Great Wall - world famous and ten thousand LI long; the Forbidden City - the most complete ensemble of traditional architecture; the Summer Palace - the largest classical garden in China set off by green hills and water; the Temple of Heaven - the largest existing architecture complex in China and Tian'anmen Square - the symbol of new China land the biggest square in the world having a capacity of half million people. More places and details could be found at en.beijing2008.com/67/72/column211717267.shtml and english.bjta.gov.cn/jdlx.

14. Is there any budget family-based boarding or youth hostels in Beijing?

Yes. Please visit www.chinayha.com/yha/new/index.html for more information. You can book rooms online at www.hostelcn.com/en.

15. Where can I find information about the food in Beijing and prices?

Please visit en.beijing2008.com/54/78/column212007854.shtml.

16. What will be the language of the conference?

The official language of Eco Summit will be English. Local volunteers at the Summit can help you in English and Chinese both. Along with the road to Olympic 2008, many traffic signs in Beijing City become bilingual.

17. What is the best way of getting around Beijing?

Transportation in Beijing is convenient, with buses, taxis, subway and etc.

Bus: The bus ride in Beijing costs about 1 yuan -3 yuan depending on distance. Most city buses run from 5:30 am to 22:00pm.
Taxi: Taxis are everywhere in the city and is the most convenient way to get around. Taxis charge 2.0 yuan per kilometer. It costs around US$ 16 to travel from the airport to downtown.
Subway: The full fare is 3.0 yuan.

18. What is the exchange-rate of Chinese Yuan and US Dollar?

Around 8.00 Chinese Yuan = 1.00 US Dollar, you can check the daily real-time rate from the website of the Bank of China: www.boc.cn/en

19. How can I get a cheaper ticket to Beijing?

May is usually not a very busy month for travel, many airlines offer discounted fared on selected flights. We would suggest you shop around and compare flights from different airlines to get the best fares. There are many search engines on the internet which will help you find the cheapest prices. China's International Airline (CAAC) often has relatively cheap fares. We will pass on this information via the conference website in due course.

Chinese site