We Need a Global Stimulus Package to Avoid a COVID-19 Hunger Crisis
COVID-19 has hit hard, fast, and everywhere. It is, above all, a public health crisis, but other linked crises are emerging, and none is more urgent than the pending hunger crisis. A global stimulus package is needed to protect the
Could the COVID-19 Pandemic Give the 2020 Environmental Agenda a Much-Needed Boost?
COVID-19 has changed everything. But if we take the right steps and trust science, a lot of good can happen. This year was supposed to be a turning point. The window to ramp up climate ambition, protect nature, and drive down
The Climate-Conflict Connection: Why aren’t we acting on it?
The two agendas of climate change adaptation and peacebuilding are rarely coordinated—it's time for this to change. For Somalia, last year’s drought was its worst in nearly a decade. Wells dried up, crops failed, and thousands were displaced from their land. For nomadic herders,
Can climate talks regain momentum in 2020?
2020 has a ring to it, holding the promise of a new decade after leaving the old one behind. Each year starts with the possibility of a new beginning, but often still carries the baggage of the previous year. As
COVID-19: How to fight disease outbreaks with data
In today’s age of information, big data allows us to fight an infectious disease like COVID-19 more effectively. This article explores the challenges, especially in the area of collating and analyzing global data and collaboration between experts. Throughout history, the movement
Should We Have Impact Assessments for Disruptive Technologies?
Disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence or ride-sharing apps, are already affecting people in significant ways. There are increasing concerns about data collection, surveillance, behavior management and the shake-up of local economies as automation takes over. The question arises of
What the mighty mangrove tells us about our broken relationship with nature
Mangrove trees lining tropical coasts are undervalued yet mangrove protection should be part of the plan to save the planet and protect biodiversity. Mangroves are trees that grow miraculously on seawater, fringing some of the tropical shores of our planet. They shelter
Buildings and Construction: A sleeping giant for climate action
The benefits of energy-efficient buildings include substantial savings, energy security, job creation, and health. They also have a lower lifetime cost and higher asset values. That's why we need to mobilize innovative financing solutions for zero carbon building projects. In the
Climate Change Hits Vulnerable Communities First and Hardest
Building resilience in fragile regions must be a priority, not an afterthought, in our efforts to reach global goals. Climate change impacts vulnerable communities hardest. We’ve known for a while that conflict and political instability—especially when coupled with extreme weather events
Time to Trade Collective Inertia for Collective Action
Humans are the cause of global warming, we know that. Now we need concrete actions. We need investors to factor climate risks into their analyses and governments to quit subsidizing fossil fuels. In short, we need collective, collaborative action. And
Seven ways new technology will impact the mining sector
There is concern that massive job losses will occur in the mining sector because of automation. Some aspects of the new technologies, though, can act to offset the negative labour impacts with positive social and environmental impacts. Two years ago, I
Zooplankton and Water Quality: Here are the facts
As a result of their central position in lake food webs, zooplankton can strongly affect water quality, algal densities, fish production, and nutrient and contaminant cycling. Whenever I speak to the public as a researcher on water quality, I often hear