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A discussion salon, on a topic of "from brown to green: dilemma? win-win? Talk on the CTSP Base, Economic Development, and Environmental Protection", was held at National Taiwan University Social Science College on June 10. This salon invited the following guests to join the discussion: Yung-Mao Chao, former vice president of National Taiwan University and director of Center for Public Policy and Law; Chang-Chuan Chan, vice president of College of Public Health National Taiwan University; Yen-Ju Hsieh, chief secretary of Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan; Shun-Kuei Chan, lawyer from Primordial Law Firm.

Professor Yung-Mao Chao mentioned that UNESCO put great emphasis on paradigm shift. While we pursue economic growth, we must also pursue environmental sustainability and interdisciplinary cooperation among technology, corporation, government and society. Therefore, salon event held a meaningful role by allowing opinions from all side of society as a way of good communication. The issue of PM2.5 is getting more and more attention. Even Puli, where people enjoyed beautiful mountain views and water in the past, becomes contaminated with PM2.5 pollution. It is clearly seen that the polluted areas have become increasingly wider.

Lawyer Shun-Kuei Chan views these development projects from an environmental perspective, suggesting that many development projects are not ethical. There is need to reflect on the balance point between economic development and environmental protection, and to try to revoke as many as projects that are environmentally unethical. Law clearly states that environmental protection must be a priority when there is any conflict between economic development and the environment. Taiwan's economic development has grown to a certain extent, when people should pursue better living environment. But many policies aim to boost economic development. Economic growth should only be a means and not an end. The purpose should be to maintain the quality of the living environment. In the past fruits of economic development are taken away by major shareholders, workers severely exploited, and the health of residents affected.

The director of Risk Society and Policy Research Center, Kuei-Tien Chou, argues that there is, in fact, no confliction between Taiwan's economic drivers and environmental protection. The Executive Yuan wants to transform into an innovation-driven economy, then it is necessary to abandon those high energy-consuming industries. Regulatory standards can drive innovation, and these all require central government to come forward. Most public policy problems occurs because of public trust. The governance also needs transformation, such as the electric car issue, many systems have to change, and the social system or infrastructures all have to change the way of thinking.