A closer look at Romney’s web advertising shows just how out of touch he is with the common man…or should I say, the common grassroots contributor. Does he really expect a $75,800 contribution from a person browsing the web? In an earlier column, I asked why on earth Mitt Romney would want to associate himself […]
Grassroots Fundraising from Billionaires Read More 👉
Presumptive Republican nominee for the 2012 Presidential election, Mitt Romney, made some headlines this week for cozying up to Donald “You’re fired” Trump, or “the Donald” as some call him. Trump is perhaps the last holdout in the birther controversy. While even the most hardened anti-Obama-ites have conceded defeat on from their theory that President
Is it Trump’s millions that is attracting Romney? Read More 👉
Longstanding government fiscal and monetary policies are fundamental contributors to the global imbalances that have built up, and as recently as 2008-2009, broke out and all but tore down the as yet prevailing global financial and economic order. China pegging the value of its currency, the yuan, to the US dollar has been a significant contributing factor. Despite support among economists and analysts, it’s high time for China to make the transition to a floating exchange rate system and open up its domestic markets to international investment opportunities, both coming in and going out.
China’s US Dollar Peg, Mercantilism Redux, Part 3 Read More 👉
Global economic conditions over the past five years clearly indicate that fundamental changes are needed if some sort of balance in the global economic system is to be achieved. Given the tremendous growth China’s economy has experienced in the past two-plus decades, and the repercussions of its US dollar peg, transitioning to a floating rate currency system could serve both China and its trading partners worldwide well.
China’s US Dollar Peg & Mercantilism Redux, Part 2 Read More 👉
The debate regarding the effects China fixing the value of its currency, the yuan, to the US dollar continues, even as China continues to resist calls to float its currency. In fact, it’s become apparent that Chinese government monetary policymakers have tightened the peg in the face of another potential banking system crisis and severe economic contraction, this time centered in Europe. This three-part series is an attempt to ‘deconstruct’ and examine, both wholly and in part, the effects of China’s US dollar peg and arguments for and against China moving to a floating exchange rate system.
China’s US Dollar Peg and Mercantilism Redux Read More 👉
Following more than 50 years of oil extraction, corruption, human rights violations and environmental degradation, Shell has admitted responsibility for two large oil spills in 2008 and 2009 in the Niger Delta. This admission will allow those affected to seek damages through the British court system, which gives groups in the Delta, specifically Ogoniland, the
Shell Finally Coming to Terms with Years of Nigerian Oil Spills Read More 👉
The tumult that still trails BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, now over a year old, has fueled global concerns over wild fish stocks and the overall sustainability of world fisheries. The bluefin tuna, one the most prized (and absolutely delicious) commodities of the sea, has become a symbol of weak global fishing regulation and there’s
Is the Decline of US Wild Fish Becoming Like Peak Oil — Exaggerated? Read More 👉
An interesting question was posed recently by a member of a group I’m part of on LinkedIn (Global Reporting Initiative) that stated simply “Is GRI beneficial for a 3rd world enterprise?” It’s both a valid and interesting question for a variety of reasons. This gentleman’s concern was mainly over the cost and time that it
The Value of CSR Reporting in Developing Economies Read More 👉
Socialfunds.com reported today that in accordance with the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued rules on shareowner approval of executive compensation and golden parachute arrangements. The press release states that the rules adopted by the SEC require public companies that are subject to the federal proxy rules to provide shareowners
Say on Executive Pay Passes the Securities and Exchange Commission By a 3-2 vote Read More 👉
As most people are aware these days, Sudan, a country that has undergone so much hardship since it became Africa’s (geographically) largest country on January 1, 1956 is on the cusp of splitting into two. A complex issue anyway one looks at it, with economic and cultural concerns at the forefront. However, for a continent
Sudan: Open for Business? Read More 👉
Its been quite a long and drawn out fight, but Massachusetts has approved a deal between Cape Farm and National Grid to enter into a 15-year contract to purchase the energy provided by the turbines. This is especially interesting for two reasons, one because this battle has been going on for quite some time, with
Cape Cod Bay Wind Farm Moves Forward Read More 👉
In the guest post below, Glenn Croston, Founder of Starting Up Green, discusses why the midterm elections cannot stop the green economy. From Glenn Croston’s Fast Company expert blog: Back when President Obama was elected in 2008 I wrote a blog post about “What’s Next for the Green Economy“. At the time we were in
What’s Next for the Green Economy II – The Sequel Read More 👉
Over the last few weeks I’ve talked about the difficulty in determining appropriate CSR metrics, finding metrics useful for comparison of businesses and whether the annual CSR report is obsolete, however I have to admit, I did not see coming a mandate by a national government (of a enormous country for that matter) requiring businesses
New Law Passed in India Requires Businesses to Engage in CSR Read More 👉
Previously, I’ve written about conflict minerals in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and US efforts to curtail their sales (parts I and II), as well as the repercussions of companies doing indirect business in countries where direct business is forbidden by the US government. So, it only make sense that this article takes
The Continuing Saga of Conflict Diamonds and the Kimberley Process Read More 👉
Based on a recent report published by sustainability analyst firm Verdantix, spending on sustainability by almost 2,000 businesses with revenues of over $1 billion will increase from $28 billion in 2010 to $60 billion in 2014. Now, I know what you’re thinking. That’s barely anything in comparison to total revenue (1.4% up to 3.3%), but
Despite Sluggish Economy, Spending on Sustainability Forecast to Increase Read More 👉
Most Americans are aware of the fact that San Francisco is known as one of the more progressive towns in the Unites States. In attempt to uphold that title, policy makers in the city are hoping to get mayor Gavin Newsom on board as they attempt to ban toys in Happy Meals in order to
San Francisco Attempting to Ban Happy Meal Toys Read More 👉
Cleveland’s ‘buy local and sustainable law’ is the first law in the U.S. providing advantages for sustainable companies bidding on City contracts. According to CSRwire’s press release, local companies can gain a 4% bid discount when pursuing contracts with the City of Cleveland by completing the first stage of Green Plus certification. Can this law serve as
Groundbreaking Law in Cleveland Supports Sustainable Business Read More 👉
With campaign season in full swing and Republicans pushing back on the President’s tiring message of change, some of us are wondering who’s still fighting against another kind of change: climate change. With Democrats in power, the past twenty-one months may have been our best chance yet to pass meaningful climate change legislation. And yet,
(Climate) Change We Can Believe In Read More 👉
In case you haven’t heard, comedian Stephen Colbert testified before Congress on Friday… and it was awesome! He was invited by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) to speak about immigration policy during a hearing of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Security. Why did she ask Stephen Colbert to testify? Great question. According to Colbert
Stephen Colbert Addresses Congress About Immigrant Farm Workers [video] Read More 👉
A recent post from my colleague Jonathan Banco regarding UNCTAD‘s (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) push to standardize CSR metrics reminded me of another United Nation’s initiative that sought to establish a framework to reduce governance gaps and subsequently reduce adverse human rights consequences of transnational corporations. What has happened to the “Protect,
Protect, Respect and Remedy: Businesses’ role in upholding Human Rights? Read More 👉
Recently, the New York Times Magazine has been a hotbed for articles covering business in or affecting developing countries. Last week I wrote about a potentially more unconventional way of looking at the counterfeit goods trade from the perspective of major apparel companies. More recently, an incredibly impressive article was written by Andrew Rice, on
Plumpy’nut and the Role of the Private Sector in International Development Read More 👉
The Los Angeles Times reported that Flint Hills Resources, a subsidiary of Kansas-based Koch Industries, donated one million dollars to the campaign for California Proposition 23. Proposition 23 would suspend California’s global-warming law, known as AB 32, until the state’s unemployment rate dropped below 5.5%, a level achieved only three times in the last three
Koch Industries Exploits Unemployment Rate to Support Big Oil Agenda Read More 👉
One thing you will notice walking the streets of any eastern Chinese city these days is the burgeoning consumer middle class. What might not be initially as evident is whether the Nike, Louis Vuitton or Polo they are sporting is real or counterfeit. According to a recent New York Times Magazine article, “Inside the Knockoff
Are Companies Benefiting From the Counterfeit Goods Trade? Read More 👉
Like many other aspects of international development (microfinance, I’m looking at you), there is a wealth of literature on the value and outcomes of fair trade and for the most part, the results have been inconclusive. That’s not to say that there haven’t been some positive impacts, but like microfinance there are some definite drawbacks
Is Fair Trade Really Fair? Read More 👉
