As summer draws to a close in the northern hemisphere, we should ask ourselves a question--besides the white sands and the blue sea, what else are we leaving behind? On this month we mark International Coastal Cleanup Day with a call to action—we should be mindful of how much the ocean means to us and of the alarming rise in the number of tiny particles that are creating one of … [Read more...] about International Coastal Cleanup Day: Planet or Plastic
Developing Tools for Valuing Natural Capital’s Contribution to Economic Well-Being: OPEN IEEM
Valuing Natural Capital’s Contribution to Economic Well-Being Government budgets are allocated according to the strength of political and economic arguments. Economic arguments to support public policy and investment in natural capital and ecosystem services are often weak due to the complexities involved in valuing these life support systems, especially in the terms that … [Read more...] about Developing Tools for Valuing Natural Capital’s Contribution to Economic Well-Being: OPEN IEEM
Seven Ways to Build a Prosperous, Net Zero Emission and Climate-Resilient Future
By Amal-Lee Amin y Amy Lewis Imagine a bridge that has been built to withstand the effects of a hurricane. Crossing it is a constant flow of pedestrians, cyclists and electric vehicles charged by a power grid ran on 100% renewable energy. This vision may seem a long way off, but the transition to a net zero emission, climate resilient and sustainable economy is underway … [Read more...] about Seven Ways to Build a Prosperous, Net Zero Emission and Climate-Resilient Future
Ocean problems beyond plastics pollution
Why is the ocean important? The ocean covers three quarters of the Earth’s surface and plays a crucial role in supporting an enormous variety of life. The ocean helps regulate the climate by absorbing excess carbon dioxide and heat. The ocean is also important for the global economy. According to the OECD (2016), its economic contribution was valued at US$1.5 trillion in 2010, … [Read more...] about Ocean problems beyond plastics pollution
Can sustainable hydropower provide more than just electricity?
Can you even have sustainability and hydropower in the same sentence? It’s a question that for years has challenged development practitioners (and bolstered critics) of this renewable source of energy. But the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is taking steps to help answer this question. Hydropower can be massive in scale. In 2018, electricity generation from hydropower … [Read more...] about Can sustainable hydropower provide more than just electricity?