I remember back in the 80’s reading about an environmental assessment by a respected institution, the Union of Concerned Scientists. These were the early days of life-cycle analyses, and these Concerned Scientists were seeking the answer to the following question: Which behavior of the average US family had the most devastating environmental impacts, taking into account their … [Read more...] about The Beef and Me
We need more steel. Here’s one way to mine it safely from old ships
Until recently, if I were asked to imagine ship-breaking operations, I would automatically think of one of those documentaries where skinny barefoot children crawl around inside beached and broken ships, pulling and cutting off the salvageable material, including scrap metal for recycling. For their efforts they receive only pennies plus a host of injuries and ailments. The … [Read more...] about We need more steel. Here’s one way to mine it safely from old ships
Labor Principles for Businesses that Respect Child Rights
In Latin America, 13 million child laborers can be found selling goods alongside the roads, working beside their parents on farms, as domestic workers in homes, and doing hard labor in hazardous industries. Globally, however, the number of children involved in child labor has declined by one third since 2000, from 246 million to 168 million children. This is due, in part, to … [Read more...] about Labor Principles for Businesses that Respect Child Rights
Moving Forward the Natural Capital Agenda
A few weeks ago, I represented the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BIO) Program at the first Natural Capital Summit in Stockholm. While the meeting’s attendants were few, they were strategically selected and the event is likely to have a significant impact on the future agenda of a community working to incorporate natural capital into development decisions. I can already … [Read more...] about Moving Forward the Natural Capital Agenda
Resilient public-private partnership will start in Colombia
It’s not every day that big players from the public sector agree on a plan of action for resilient development with private-sector heavyweights. Yet, that is exactly what happened under the glass curtain of the of the light-filled atrium of the United States Institute of Peace building in Washington DC, when representatives from the U.S. and UK Governments, the American Red … [Read more...] about Resilient public-private partnership will start in Colombia