Japan’s Creative Cooling Solutions
August 9th, 2023 Via BBC Travel, a look at a wealth of cooling solutions, from high-tech underwear to ancient philosophies, on a journey round Japan: When our iPhones alerted us that the temperature had crept past [...]
As Climate Change Worsens, Military Builds ‘Base of the Future’ on Gulf Coast
August 7th, 2023 Courtesy of The Washington Post, a look at how – after Tyndall Air Force Base was leveled by 2018?s Hurricane Michael – those overseeing its reconstruction hope it becomes the ‘test [...]
Roads of the Future Could Be Paved With Plastic
August 7th, 2023 Via Fast Company, a report on how most plastic never gets recycled, but the construction industry could offer a solution: Despite the fact that waste plastic can be recycled, in the U.S. less than [...]
Heat Pumps Blow A Green Wave Across Europe
August 7th, 2023 Courtesy of The Financial Times, an article on growing adoption of heat pumps in Europe: When one village resident wanted to join the green revolution by installing a heat pump in his English [...]
Electrified Cement Could Turn Houses and Roads Into Nearly Limitless Batteries
August 5th, 2023 Via Science, an article on energy storing building materials which could make on-demand power from renewables affordable worldwide: Tesla’s Powerwall, a boxy, wall-mounted, lithium-ion battery, can [...]
As Indian Cities Heat Up, Climate-Resilient Traditional Buildings Return
August 4th, 2023 Via Eco Business, a look at how – as Indian cities heat up – climate-resilient traditional buildings are coming into fashion: If the pandemic triggered eco-consciousness in A. Krishnan, a [...]

ABOUT
BLACK SWANS GREEN SHOOTS
Black Swans / Green Shoots examines the collision between urbanization and resource scarcity in a world affected by climate change, identifying opportunities to build sustainable cities and resilient infrastructure through the use of revolutionary capital, increased awareness, innovative technologies, and smart design to make a difference in the face of global and local climate perils.

'Black Swans' are highly improbable events that come as a surprise, have major disruptive effects, and that are often rationalized after the fact as if they had been predictable to begin with. In our rapidly warming world, such events are occurring ever more frequently and include wildfires, floods, extreme heat, and drought.

'Green Shoots' is a term used to describe signs of economic recovery or positive data during a downturn. It references a period of growth and recovery, when plants start to show signs of health and life, and, therefore, has been employed as a metaphor for a recovering economy.

It is my hope that Black Swans / Green Shoots will help readers understand both climate-activated risk and opportunity so that you may invest in, advise, or lead organizations in the context of increasing pressures of global urbanization, resource scarcity, and perils relating to climate change. I believe that the tools of business and finance can help individuals, businesses, and global society make informed choices about who and what to protect, and I hope that this blog provides some insight into the policy and private sector tools used to assess investments in resilient reinforcement, response, or recovery.