Latin America and the Caribbean will face steep challenges in coming decades to provide food security and guarantee a decent income for its rural population. Greater rainfall and increasingly devastating floods may threaten some parts of the region. Others, including northeastern Brazil and Central America, will face extended drought. Erosion and dwindling water resources could … [Read more...] about A Changing Climate Requires New Farming Habits: How Can Behavioral Economics Help?
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Can Latin American Citizens Change Climate Policy?
Latin Americans enthusiastically backed Pope Francis when in June 2015 he published Laudato Si, his encyclical warning that global warming was "one of the principal challenges facing humanity." Governments in the region at the time were preparing to play a leading role in the United Nations climate summit later that year in Paris. Ordinary citizens meanwhile were becoming … [Read more...] about Can Latin American Citizens Change Climate Policy?
Facing Climate Change's Threat to Caribbean Tourism
When residents of the Caribbean think of hurricanes, like Irma and Maria that whipped through the region last fall, they think not only of the loss of hundreds of human lives and homes, but of the widespread destruction of tourism assets like hotels, yachts and coral reefs. And they fear that the devastation is just a preview of what is to come. Tourism is the lifeblood of the … [Read more...] about Facing Climate Change’s Threat to Caribbean Tourism
China's Dockless Biking Boom and the Lessons for Latin America
They have set off a surge in bike riding, sparked explosive investment, and helped cut air pollution and carbon emissions. But the "dockless" -- or stationless -- bikes that have transformed China's cities also have come with significant social and economic costs. As Latin America prepares to embrace them, it would do well to take heed. That day is coming sooner than later. … [Read more...] about China’s Dockless Biking Boom and the Lessons for Latin America
Climate Policy: When the Expensive Options Make Sense
To stabilize climate change, we need to get to zero net carbon emissions by the end of the century. A key question then for policymakers is when and how to reduce emissions. Imagine you are a policymaker, and you have two options for reducing emissions. Energy efficiency measures in the building sector (LED lights instead of light bulbs, better thermal insulation) can reduce … [Read more...] about Climate Policy: When the Expensive Options Make Sense