Imparting Wisdom [Pathways

Abstract

Zhaohao Ding grew up in Binzhou in the Chinese coastal province of Shandong, whose infrastructure was centered around a coal-based electrical power plant. He recalled that at a young age, he began to notice many trucks transporting coal to the nearby plant making the surrounding roads and the sullying effect that the coal carried by these trucks had along the routes. Ding was concerned about the negative impact of this power plant on his hometown and pondered the idea of ridding his community of it. When he shared his thoughts with his uncle, he was told that despite being detrimental to the environment, the coal power plant was indispensable for supplying the town with electricity year round and much-needed heat during the cold winter season. Ding’s uncle gave him hope when he mentioned that in the future coal power plants might be retired when renewable energy technologies mature enough to take over fossil fuel. These words had a far-reaching effect on Ding and shaped his future career. He became interested in pursuing opportunities to develop alternative sources of electrical power to replace heavily polluting fossil fuel sources.