Sustainable AC is Possible, Even with Covid Ventilation
October 25th, 2023 Via Anthropocene Magazine, a look at how it is possible to cool a ventilated building below outside temperatures using an uninsulated roof that sends heat to the sky day and night, while regularly [...]
Building Cities That Are Kind To Nature
October 25th, 2023 Via CNN, a report on why we should build cities that are kind to nature: With most of the world’s population residing in cities, it’s often challenging to understand how our actions affect remote [...]
Using AI to Combat Floods, Wildfires and Extreme Heat
October 25th, 2023 Via Google, a look at some AI tools and technologies helping communities around the world address the effects of climate change: From experiencing the hottest summer on record to dealing with [...]
How Do Heat Pumps Drive Sustainability? 
October 25th, 2023 Via Nature, a look at how heat pumps drive sustainability: In September 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron took a firm stance on climate action during an ecological planning council. His vision? [...]
China’s Adaptation Advantage
October 23rd, 2023 Courtesy of The Wire, a look at China’s head-start in mobilizing to adapt and thrive in a rapidly warming world. If it succeeds, the geopolitical consequences will be profound; Illustration by [...]
Crisis Resilient Urban Futures: What’s Next for Asia-Pacific Cities?
October 23rd, 2023 Via The CityFix, commentary on urban resilience in Asia: Cities have always been dynamic hubs of culture, education, economic growth and opportunity, and most importantly, centers of social [...]

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.