In The News

Wal-Mart Unveils Plans to Score Electronics on Environmental Sustainability

March 16, 2007
The world’s largest retailer has a reputation for slashing prices and giving consumers a bargain – so much so that Wal-Mart’s tactics with labor and suppliers often become controversial. Although adding environmental protections to any product often raises prices or decreases visibility in terms of packaging, Wal-Mart has set out to promote environmental sustainability. Starting in 2008, the...

The Trouble With India

March 14, 2007
When investors tout growth, two images can come to mind: One includes bustling industries and fabulous wealth; the other is unorganized communities, as irritated crowds of people compete for limited resources. This article in “BusinessWeek” explores how India’s infrastructure – highways, airports, clean water and other utilities – fails to keep pace with the explosive growth of the high-tech...

China Edges Towards a Greener Shade of Red

Jonathan Watts March 7, 2007
China’s rapid economy must slow in order to protect the environment, according to the nation’s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in his annual report to parliament. In the speech, which sets policy direction for the upcoming year, environmental protection took priority over many other issues confronting the nation, reports journalist Jonathan Watts for “The Guardian.” China is the world’s most populous...

Who Should Foot the Bill on Climate Change?

Scott Barrett March 2, 2007
While the historic responsibility for the current state of atmospheric greenhouse gases lies with the now-developed countries, the fastest growing emitters are currently in the developing world. Scott Barrett, director of the International Policy Program at Johns Hopkins University, argues that it is in everyone’s interest to pursue the most efficient policy rather than the apparently populist...

Global Climate Change: Taking the Battle to the Campus

Richard Levin February 26, 2007
Climate change is a global problem that demands immediate leadership. Governments debate various capping and taxation measures to reduce fossil-energy use, but ordinary citizens can also take steps to conserve in their own daily lives. As a hub of scientists and future leaders, universities are a natural place for devising innovative strategies for emission reduction and can serve as a powerful...

The New Math of Alternative Energy

Rebecca Smith February 23, 2007
Criticized for years as costly and unsustainable, alternative energy attracting renewed interest amidst a wave of technological developments and rising oil prices. While the US depends heavily on fossil fuels, renewable energy sources such as biomass, wind, geothermal and solar are likely to account for a larger share of the electricity supply in future years. With growing concerns over global...

A Battle Over the Costs of Global Warming

David Leonhardt February 21, 2007
Now that environmentalists and scientists are unanimous that human activities cause global warming, the debate has shifted to the cost and pace of slowing it down. Two sides have emerged among economists: those who support immediate action versus those who support gradual steps. Sir Nicholas Stern of the UK released a 700-page report in late 2006 that suggests global warming could rival World...