In The News

Global Warming Is Real and Has Consequences – Part II

Pavin Chachavalpongpun April 6, 2012
Climate-change naysayers claim that shifting from fossil fuels to alternative energies is unnecessary or too costly for economies. Yet, the cost of climate change is clearly evident. Manufacturers are considering moving from Thailand and other countries threatened by flooding and other forces related to climate change, according to Pavin Chachavalpongpun, associate professor at the Centre for...

Global Causes Attract Growing Share of US Giving

Susan Froetschel January 10, 2012
After the 2008 global recession, Americans understandably tightened their purse strings for charitable giving. Yet giving to international causes rose by about 15 percent in 2010 – the largest percentage increase of all categories, including religion, health or education, according to Giving USA Foundation. Nonprofits in the international affairs category attracted 5 percent of US contributions,...

Brazilian Paves Way for China’s Carmakers

Joe Leahy November 29, 2011
With a burgeoning middle class, the Brazilian automotive market has expanded rapidly, becoming the fourth largest in the world in 2010. In such a fast-growing market, Brazilian consumers have developed no brand loyalty and show no aversion to foreign models, explains Joe Leahy of the Financial Times. So taking advantage of a market opportunity, Chinese car manufacturers like JAC Motors are...

The Land of Gas and Honey

Robin M. Mills October 27, 2011
The discovery of two huge natural gas fields, Tamar and Leviathan, off Israel’s coast promises energy security for the nation at a time when its Egyptian gas deal is under risk and its current largest field, Mari-B, nears depletion. But like other gas fields around the globe, these stretch along waters that belong to feuding countries. Israel’s two fields overlap a bit with waters off Lebanon,...

Companies Call for Tougher Climate Action

Richard Black October 26, 2011
Climate change and its many disruptions are not good for business – and corporate leaders are calling on governments to move quickly to stem climate change. Leaders of nearly 200 major companies are calling for a tougher response from nations convening in Durham for the annual global climate meeting, reports BBC News. The initiative’s name, 2C Challenges, refers to the effort to prevent average...

Floods Threaten Global Trade Hub

Pavin Chachavalpongpun October 24, 2011
Monsoon rains and typhoons have contributed to record flooding that saturates Thailand. Bangkok is under threat even as authorities try to relieve pressure by reinforcing levees, draining fields and releasing floodwaters into the sea. Most of Thailand is affected with rice fields submerged, food prices climbing, and supply-chain operations of multinational firms like Western Digital and Toyota...

The UN’s Battle with NCDs

Sheri Fink and Rebecca Rabinowitz October 19, 2011
Sheri Fink and Rebecca Rabinowitz of the New America Foundation call attention to rising danger of non-communicable diseases, or NCDs. Such diseases, including heart and lung disease, cancer and diabetes, now account for two out of every three deaths worldwide. A UN meeting signals new priority on the challenges of such diseases. Non-communicable diseases, many preventable, have become prevalent...