Peking University, November 1, 2023: Dr. Andrew Forrest AO, executive chairman at Fortescue, Minderoo Foundation, and Tattarang, delivered a special lecture at Yenching Academy (YCA) of Peking University on Nov. 1, 2023, titled "Lethal Humidity and the Upper Limit to Human Survival."


In a meeting with Dr. Forrest before the lecture, Prof. Dong Qiang, the dean of Yenching Academy, introduced YCA's China Studies program, noting the Academy's interests in cultivating future global leaders to contribute to solving many of the world's challenges, including climate change.

The day's lecture, hosted by Yenching Academy Associate Dean Fan Shiming, reviewed the impacts of climate change, providing a unique approach with an emphasis on the lethal combination of high humidity and temperature. In his lecture, Dr. Forrest examined the world's greatest greenwash that faults the public for the climate crisis. Instead, he placed the responsibility on corporations, which he believed were vital in the fight against climate change.


Overall, Dr. Forrest proposed four key legislations to help stop lethal humidity: real net-zero carbon goals, removal of barriers to the green industry, matching policy to carbon pricing (dis)incentives risks, and introducing economic stimulants for green growth.

Prof. Zhang Haibin, associate dean of the Peking University School of International Studies, commented on the lecture, emphasizing the need for global collaborative efforts and China's role in leading the world toward a green transition.

About the speaker:

Dr. Andrew Forrest AO is a global business leader and philanthropist. Through Fortescue and Minderoo Foundation, Dr. Forrest is dedicated to leading the world to address the climate crisis and step beyond fossil fuels through green metals and green energy.

Dr. Forrest has a Ph.D. in Marine Ecology, serves as an IUCN Patron of Nature, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to philanthropy, mining, employment, and sustainable foreign investment. In 2016, he served as a Councillor of the Global Citizen Commission, which was charged by the UN to modernise the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In 2013, Dr. Forrest was appointed by the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to lead the country’s response to tackling indigenous disparity, leading to the Forrest Review’s publication in 2014. Dr. Forrest is also Co-Chair of the Australia-China Senior Business Leaders’ Forum and a Board Member of the Boao Forum for Asia.

Source: Yenching Academy