Klaus Töpfer is a pioneer in Environmental Politics, both in Germany and worldwide. From 1987 until 1994 he was Federal Minister for the Environment in Germany and after that became the Executive Director of UNEP, the United Nations Environmental Program. Töpfer is also a member of the Board of the German Federal Environment Foundation. Currently he lectures at Tongji-University in Shanghai, China.I met Klaus Töpfer for the first time a few months in Berlin. Over a cup of coffee he explained to me how he is settling down again for the xxst time, installing a new office. Traveling back and forth is rather challenging for the 69 year old Töpfer. But China is worth it. As he pointed out in the Vodcast interview you can see and rate above, China is according to him no longer ignorant of the role it plays in combating climate change. I remembered my interview with Professor Kjiang from Peking in May who also told me how China is day by day experiencing the immediate effects of climate change, energy waste and pollution. The country must, Kjiang added, with the support of the international community, take the first steps.Knowing of the necessity to envision a future of sustainable mobility, Töpfer asks for a competition with the best technological innovations. BMW, the former politician says, is a company that invested a lot into the development of its hydrogen vision in the last 25 years.

Prof. Toepfer and Alex Goerlach talkingAlthough it was really loud in the place where we did the interview, I enjoyed talking to Töpfer who with just a few words showed us why politics and industry need to start on an energy-efficient and sustainable age.

Tongji University, one of the most prestigious universities in China, celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 20th, 2007. Chinese President Hu Jingtao sent a congratulation letter on the Centenary. And meanwhile other leaders, including Premier Wen Jiabao and top legislator Wu Bangguo, expressed their congratulations as well. Li Tieyin and Gu Xiulian, vice chairmen of the National People's Congress attended the centenary ceremony. State Councilor Chen Zhili, Minister of Education Zhou Ji, and Sectary of CPC Shanghai Committee Xi Jinping delivered their speeches of congratulations. Wan Gang, president of Tongji University, made the presentation: “A Century Tongji Promises to Society”.

After that, Professor Kurt Kutzler, president of TU Berlin expressed congratulations on behalf of presidents from other Chinese and foreign universities. Wu Mengchao, academician of Chinese Academy of Science and Professor Sun Lijun also delivered their speeches on behalf of the alumni and on the behalf of the faculty and students. The celebration ceremony had attracted the attendance of over 10,000 people from all over the world.
Tongji University has developed rapidly in recent years, especially in the research of clean energy automobile. President Wan Gang, nominated as the chief scientist of Fuel Cell Vehicle Research Project in the State “863” Program since his returning from abroad, led the team of College of Automotive Engineering to win remarkable and widely acknowledged achievements in fuel cell development.Since both Tongji and BMW are together concerning about the development of new energy vehicles, making achievements in alternative energy and joining good cooperative relationship, on the occasion of Tongji Centenary Celebration BMW Group provided 33 VIP shuttle cars for the anniversary, including 10 units 7 series, 20 units 5 series and 3 units Hydrogen7, among which the BMW H7 had become a shining star during the celebration. Many famous scientists showed their great interest because of its excellent quality and advanced technology.
During the International Forum of Innovation and Sustainable Development from May 18 to 20, H7 were used as VIP shuttle cars, which perfectly matched with the concept and made contribution to the forum’s social influence. On May 20, the appearance of the 3 BMW H7 in Si Ping campus created a great sensation among the guests. As a matter of fact, BMW H7 has acquired widely acknowledges from the society of its leading technologies during the whole course of the celebration