As Heat Waves Intensify, Europe’s Cities Rely on Age-Old Ways to Stay Cool
July 30th, 2023 Courtesy of the New York Times, a look at how architectural styles and construction materials can significantly reduce the need for air-conditioning during heat waves, according to sustainable [...]
Where The Most U.S. Residents Bake Because of Concrete and Lack of Trees
July 28th, 2023 Courtesy of The Washington Post, an article on the nearly 41 million urban residents who experience higher temperatures because of the ‘heat island effect,’ according to an analysis: All U.S. [...]
There’s Not Enough Land To Solve Climate Change With Wood Buildings and Biofuels
July 28th, 2023 Via Semafor, a report on the potential limitations related to the plan to address climate change with wood buildings and biofuels: Policymakers misunderstand the carbon footprint of plant-based [...]
Cold Take: Why Air-Conditioning Is Key In Fight Against Climate Change
July 28th, 2023 Via MIT Technology Review, an article on how – as extreme heat is making cooling a necessity – the result will be sky-high energy demand: As record-breaking heat waves baked Californians [...]
‘Next Chapter’ in Decarbonization: Buildings’ Emissions
July 27th, 2023 Via Big Pivots, commentary on what some see as the ‘next chapter’ in decarbonization – weaning buildings off combustion of gases: Colorado is starting another chapter in what could [...]
Thermal Images Show How Phoenix Uses Technology To Keep Cool
July 26th, 2023 Courtesy of The Washington Post, a look at how Phoenix uses technology to keep cool: A thermal image of a playground in Phoenix on July 20. In 2021, the city became the first U.S. city with 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.