From the point of view of someone who has worked on climate change for over two decades, the political momentum demonstrated at the Paris COP21 was incredible to witness. From heads of Government, to mayors, to leaders of business and the investment community, there was a clarion call – bold action was urgently needed to avoid dangerous levels of climate change. Leading up … [Read more...] about COP21: From Agreement to Action
Haiti: Little by little the bird builds its nest
It has been a couple of days since the approval of the historic climate agreement in Paris. Weary but hopeful negotiators are returning to their countries and may already have started de-briefing their respective governments. Pundits, critics, supporters and deniers will all at this point be poring over every detail and iota of the text of the agreement and will be … [Read more...] about Haiti: Little by little the bird builds its nest
The Tilapia Wars
At the tip of my running shoe, lying in the dirt, is an empty, crushed, shotgun shell; then another one; and there, in the shrubs, again. I register the fact, but it's too hot, in the sizzling late morning Caribbean sun, to think much about it, busy as I am taking notes, keeping out of trouble and looking for shade. I just wondered for a split second what kind of game people … [Read more...] about The Tilapia Wars
Sustainable Infrastructure: we want it, we need it, and we can live better with it
I just came back from spending three days in Panama at the Sustainable Mega-Infrastructure and Impact Assessment symposium, jointly organized by the IDB and the International Association for Impact Assessment. We visited perhaps the best known infrastructure project in Latin America and the Caribbean – the Panama Canal – and learned how they have managed water, biodiversity, … [Read more...] about Sustainable Infrastructure: we want it, we need it, and we can live better with it
Is Infrastructure a Threat or an Opportunity to conserve our Biodiversity?
Governments and multilateral development banks around the world now recognize the social and economic importance of biodiversity. Despite this, a major gap between current funding levels for biodiversity projects (US$53 billion annually) and total estimated need (US$300-400 billion annually) remains. With no major increase in biodiversity financing on the horizon, new ways … [Read more...] about Is Infrastructure a Threat or an Opportunity to conserve our Biodiversity?