WRI Insights

America is blessed with abundant energy sources, from an array of traditional fuels and natural gas to solar, wind, and other [renewable resources](http://insights.wri.org/news/2012/02/2012-breakthrough-renewable-energy). But as the pressure on these resources grows, the United States [must have a plan](http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/02/new-report-identifies-pathways-us-administration-reduce-emissions) to ensure a stronger and more sustainable future. In today’s world, any smart and effective energy strategy must take into account the [risks of climate change](http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/02/how-climate-change-impacts-america%E2%80%99s-energy-infrastructure).

This is Part Two of a five-part blog series, [Aligning Profit and Environmental Sustainability](/blog-tags/8691). Each installment explores solutions to help businesses [overcome barriers](http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/03/4-barriers-overcome-achieving-corporate-environmental-sustainability) that prevent them from integrating environmental sustainability into their everyday operations. Look for [these posts](/blog-tags/8691) every Thursday for the next four weeks.

In January, Brian Richter, director of freshwater strategies at The Nature Conservancy, [spelled out four water resolutions](http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/01/02/four-water-resolutions-for-a-sustainable-planet/) through a thought-provoking series of blog posts. One of those resolutions was to better understand and communicate the differences between water use and water consumption. This is a particularly important issue, as there has been a [lot of discussion lately](http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/01/5-sobering-realities-about-global-water-security-0) about water scarcity, water stress, and the risks associated with them.

Research shows that developing countries [will need about $531 billion](http://www.wri.org/publication/mobilizing-climate-investment) of additional investments in clean energy technologies each year in order to limit global temperature rise to 2° C above pre-industrial levels, thus preventing climate change’s worst impacts. While developed countries [have pledged](http://www.wri.org/climate-finance) to provide $100 billion of climate finance per year, this amount is well below what’s needed to help developing nations mitigate and adapt to climate change.

This is Part One of a five-part blog series, [“Aligning Profit and Environmental Sustainability.”](/blog-tags/8691) Each installment will offer solutions for businesses to better integrate environmental sustainability into their everyday operations. Look for these posts every Thursday for the next four weeks.

After a year of extreme weather events and recent studies outlining climate change’s impacts, it’s become increasingly clear that we must understand what emissions reduction pathways are necessary to avoid these risks.

On February 20, WRI President Andrew Steer participated in event with GreenBiz CEO Joel Makower at the [annual GreenBiz summit](http://www.greenbiz.com/events/greenbiz-forum/2013/02/new-york/program) in New York City. This post builds off that discussion.

There’s a popular saying in the news that two events are a coincidence, but three make a trend. Over the past few days, there have been two major developments in the national media that will likely have a big impact on coverage of environmental issues. It’s clear that a troubling trend is already underway.

Leading China experts and top media representatives participated in a ChinaFAQs briefing this past Friday to discuss how the country will address pressing environmental, climate, and energy challenges at home and globally in the coming years. At the National People’s Congress beginning March 5, 2013, Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang are expected to formally become China’s president and premier, respectively. Other top spots in China’s ministries will also be assigned, [with implications](http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/03/embracing-ecological-progress-china) for China’s future of low-carbon development and for the United States.

“You cannot manage what you cannot measure” is a [well-known adage](http://insights.wri.org/news/2012/05/national-greenhouse-gas-inventories-can-help-countries-curb-climate-change) for business, and the phrase is increasingly relevant for cities. In the past decade, many cities have [started measuring](http://insights.wri.org/news/2012/06/first-time-ghg-protocol-help-brazil-measure-greenhouse-gas-emissions-agriculture) their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data. GHG inventories are essential for building effective low-carbon strategies, tracking GHG reductions, responding to regulations and local GHG program requirements, and securing climate finance. Some cities [also believe](https://www.cdp.net/) that tracking emissions can eventually conserve financial and other resources.