All articles

How governments can use cyber tools to preserve power

As nations acquire new cyber capabilities, they need to decide how far these should be used as tools of statecraft, writes Safa Shahwan of the Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council 14 Dec 2019

Plastics and the Environment

The ocean is teeming with microplastic – a million times more than we thought, suggests new research

A new study finds there could be a million times more tiny plastic pieces in the ocean than we thought, and they might be infiltrating the food chain.

Johnny Wood 13 Dec 2019

Climate Change

Who's promised net-zero, and who looks likely to get there?

A new report assesses where we are on achieving net-zero emissions, and while there are some positives, it makes for stark reading.

Emma Charlton 13 Dec 2019

Climate Change

Flooding is predicted to displace 50 million people a year by 2100. What's being done?

Population growth, more intense rainfall and melting ice are likely to cause more frequent and severe floods.

Megan Rowling and Thomson Reuters Foundation · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 13 Dec 2019

Global Health

Hot topic: Is carbon offsetting really that ‘green’?

Schemes like carbon credits and carbon offsetting are being used by countries to help lower their carbon emissions - but do they really work?

Susanna Twidale · Reuters 13 Dec 2019

Media, Entertainment and Information

The best students, climate dominoes and other top stories of the week

Also in this week's round-up: carbon removal tech, the cost of corruption and escaping hopelessness.

Adrian Monck 13 Dec 2019

Plastics and the Environment

This entrepreneur built an island resort out of plastic waste

Turning a problem into a business opportunity, this entrepreneur wants you to spend your next holiday on his floating island made from trash.

Emma Charlton 13 Dec 2019

Global Health

A good night’s sleep ‘washes’ your brain, scientists say

Scientists are showing how deep sleep wards off illness, opening new research avenues for dementia treatments.

Charlotte Edmond 13 Dec 2019

Innovation

The importance of social networks for innovation and productivity

Social networks facilitate the diffusion of ideas across individuals and firms, which in turn plays an important role in productivity growth.

Esteban Ortiz-Ospina · Our World in Data 13 Dec 2019

Fourth Industrial Revolution

This infographic charts the decline of manufacturing worldwide

According to new data from the World Bank and the United Nations, manufacturing as a proportion of global GDP has been in decline since the 1980s.

Katharina Buchholz · Statista 13 Dec 2019

Gender Parity

Celebrity earnings reveal how gender inequality lives post-mortem

Michael Jackson is one of the highest-paid dead celebrities, earning more than $825 million in 2016. By comparison, Marilyn Monroe was the highest female earner, with $13 million in 2019.

Ruth Penfold-Mounce · The Conversation 13 Dec 2019

Book Club

5 book recommendations for the holidays from Bill Gates

From bedtime science to a tragic love story, here are 5 of Bill Gates' recommendations to read.

Bill Gates · Gatesnotes 13 Dec 2019

Arts and Culture

Davos 2020: Meet the winners of the 26th Annual Crystal Award

Four inspiring artists from around the world will be honoured for the impact of their work at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting.

Hilde Schwab 13 Dec 2019

Geopolitics

Has Europe left it too late to achieve digital sovereignty?

Europe speaks of technological independence in the face of U.S. and Chinese dominance – but is this a realistic goal?

Atlantic Council 13 Dec 2019

Geo-economics

Why we need to rethink geo-economics to beat climate change

Both developed and developing nations have a role to play in finding, funding and furthering the solutions to the climate crisis.

Abhinav Chugh 12 Dec 2019

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