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Commentary

Science Will Help Push Companies Towards a Low-Carbon Future

More and more companies are setting science-based emissions-reduction targets. These targets represent a company’s share of the global carbon budget, the amount of carbon the world can collectively emit while hoping to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees C.

Commentary
South Beach flooding
Commentary

New Studies Underscore Threats of Sea Level Rise. Will National Leaders Act?

New research finds that sea levels increased at a faster rate this past century than any other in nearly 3,000 years. While this is old news to the local elected officials on the front lines of coastal flooding in the United States, the findings will hopefully inspire much-needed action at the federal level.

Commentary
Mangrove forest in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.
Commentary

Crisis Response: When Trees Stop Storms and Deserts in Asia

A history of deforestation has made Vietnam, China and South Korea especially vulnerable to coastal storms, floods and sandstorms. In the face of these crises, all three nations are pursuing the same solution&mdashrestoring degraded landscapes.

Commentary
Two people crossing with luggage in front of tramway, Historic Peninsula, Istanbul, Turkey
Commentary

4 Keys to Unlock Innovative Urban Services for All

An ongoing project between WRI, the Citi Foundation and C40 works to identify global examples of sustainable urban innovation and draw out commonalities across them. Researchers Anne Maassen and Benoit Lefevre reveal four of the findings they've discovered so far.

Commentary
Neighborhood in India
Commentary

How Open Data Can Help Electrify India—and the World

Most of the energy information out there is on physical grid connections rather than quality and reliability issues, like frequency and duration of power outages. Two innovative data initiatives are emerging to gather this information and improve electricity access in India.

Commentary
Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Commentary

How Does China’s Growing Overseas Investment Affect Africa’s Forests? 5 Things to Know

China's overseas investment grew from $1 billion in 2004 to more than $30 billion in 2014. In many cases, it's come at a cost to Africa's forests and the people who rely on them.

Commentary
Power plant
Commentary

Despite Stay, America’s Economy and Climate Need the Clean Power Plan

Yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling to pause implementation of the Clean Power Plan will likely only be a temporary time out. Most states are already laying plans to comply—and indeed, it's in their best interest to do so.

Commentary
Roses bought for Valentine's Day.
Commentary

What Are the Environmental Costs of Valentine’s Day Flowers?

The cut-flower industry takes a heavy toll on the land, water and climate. Researcher Kathleen Buckingham explains.

Commentary
Rooftop solar array in India.
Commentary

4 Ways the Paris Agreement Supports Climate Action Now

Most of the discussion about the Paris Agreement focuses on countries' new climate plans, which are aimed at the post-2020 period. But the decisions made in Paris can also ramp up action in the short term, too.

Commentary
Residents away a bus in the port city of Saint Denis
Commentary

Real-Time Transit Data Is Good for People and Cities. What’s Holding This Technology Back?

Real-time transit information systems increase public transport ridership and decrease wait times. How can we make these systems affordable and accessible to cities in the developing world?

Commentary

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