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 [...]
Innovative Cooling Solutions for Overheated Cities
August 3rd, 2023 Via Inhabitat, a look at some innovative solutions for overheated cities: With climate change ramping up and an El Nino weather pattern in effect for the western hemisphere, heat island effect has [...]
In Washington State, A new Initiative To Boost Urban Tree Cover
August 2nd, 2023 Via Grist, an article on the Washington Tree Equity Collaborative which aims to bring more greenery to underserved communities: Urban trees bring clean air and shade to many city dwellers — but [...]
Medellín’s Interconnected Green Corridors
August 2nd, 2023 Via C40, a look at Medellin’s green corridor initiative: Since 2016, Medellín has created 30 ‘Corredores Verdes,’ an interconnected network of greenery across the city. This ambitious [...]
San Francisco Greening its Streets
August 1st, 2023 Via Robert Brears, a report on one of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) flagship green street projects as part of its 2050 stormwater management goal: In most communities, [...]

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.