WRI Insights

Insights is WRI’s flagship publication dedicated to telling stories about the intersection of people, nature and the climate. Through analysis, commentary and data-driven articles, WRI's researchers share expertise and highlight solutions for securing a sustainable future.

Get our latest articles, upcoming events, research and more.

By sharing your information you agree to receive updates from WRI. You can change your email preferences at any time.

Explainers

Explore All Insights

All Topics
Subtype of Resource
Region
2884 Resources for
Photo by Everjean/Flickr.
Commentary

How Much Rainforest Is in That Chocolate Bar?

With the world’s appetite for chocolate at an all-time high, producers are looking for new places to grow cacao—the raw ingredient in cocoa and chocolate. Some are turning to South America, where satellite images show one cacao plantation encroaching dramatically on the Amazon rainforest.

Commentary
Foto por Everjean/Flickr.
Commentary

¿Cuánta selva tropical hay en esa barra de chocolate?

El apetito mundial por el chocolate está a un punto máximo sin precedentes, y los productores buscan nuevos lugares para cultivar cacao, la materia prima del chocolate y del cacao en polvo. Algunos productores han recurrido a Sudamérica, donde las imágenes satelitales resaltan a una plantación de cacao que está invadiendo la selva tropical amazónica.

Commentary
Wind and solar energy is becoming increasingly cost competitive with coal and natural gas in many parts of the country. Photo by Jeff Kubina/Flickr.
Commentary

How Does the Clean Power Plan Help US Meet its Climate Targets?

The final Clean Power Plan is an important step for the United States to meet its 2020 and 2025 emissions-reduction targets, but the nation will need additional steps that continue accelerating these trends in the power sector and across the economy to achieve its goals.

Commentary
With its new target in place, Hawaii becomes the largest island to aim for a full-renewables grid strategy. Photo by Jason Meredith/Flickr
Commentary

Islands Become Trendsetters for Renewable Energy

Hawaii made waves with its recent announcement to use 100 percent renewable energy by 2045, but it’s hardly the only island making big commitments to clean power.

Commentary
Women in a Kenyan village employ conservational farming techniques. Photo by P.Casier/CGIAR
Commentary

National Climate Plans Raise Adaptation’s Profile

While the public focus is often on mitigation – how much countries are willing to reduce emissions, by when and with what degree of transparency – adaptation to the impacts of climate change demands the same level of attention.

Commentary
A new international climate agreement will be negotiated in Paris later this year. Photo by Mauro/Flickr
Commentary

Climate Plans in the Lead-up to Paris: Where Do We Stand?

Countries responsible for more than half of global greenhouse gas emissions have now released their post-2020 climate action plans. How do they stack up, and what impact will they have in reining in warming?

Commentary
Commentary

Beyond Cecil the Lion: How the Lacey Act Protects Wildlife and Plants around the World

The death of Zimbabwe's iconic Cecil the lion has sparked widespread calls for punishment for the animal's killers. The U.S. Lacey Act, which aims to protect wildlife around the world, may apply.

Commentary
The Clean Power Plan will set the first-ever limits on carbon dioxide pollution from existing U.S. power plants. Photo by Contemplative Imaging/Flickr
Commentary

With Clean Power Plan, US Shows It’s Serious About Climate Change

The Clean Power Plan sets the first-ever limits on carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. power plants.

Commentary
Electricity is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Photo byJarrett Callahan/Flickr
Commentary

Interactive Graphic: What Do Your State’s Emissions Look Like?

A new data visualization reveals that only 10 states are responsible for nearly 50 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Commentary
Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/10816734@N03/5457207232/">World Bank Photo Collection</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>
Commentary

Water for All: How to Ensure We Leave No One Behind

When it comes to water, most people don’t know what they’ve got ‘til it’s gone – yet we are already facing a water scarcity crisis.

Commentary

Most Read