The document discusses four core asset classes - land, water, food, and energy - that can help preserve wealth in the face of threats from population growth, climate change, and resource scarcity. It recommends a two-pronged approach: 1) investing directly or indirectly in companies related to these assets, and 2) using personal wealth to purchase enough of these core resources so that families can become self-sustained. Specifically, owning fertile land provides opportunities to access water, produce food, and generate energy on-site. Wealthy families can purchase remote land with these resources to serve as a safe haven.
Anric Blatt Sustainability as an asset classAnric Blatt
The document discusses the growing global challenges of food, water and energy security due to rising population, climate change impacts, and unsustainable resource use. It argues that these issues represent both risks and investment opportunities. Specific opportunities mentioned include investments in agriculture, water, clean/renewable energy, and related natural resources and commodities. The document promotes treating sustainability issues as a critical asset class and taking action to address problems before it is too late.
- Overconsumption by wealthy Western nations is a major cause of global poverty and resource scarcity. Nearly half of the world's population lives on less than $2.50 a day and does not have access to sufficient food, water, shelter or income.
- Unequal distribution of resources, particularly fertile land that is disproportionately occupied by wealthy farmers for export crops, exacerbates poverty. Reducing consumption in wealthy countries and redistributing resources more equitably could significantly diminish global destitution.
- Solutions proposed include land reform policies to make fertile land more affordable and accessible to local farmers, government policies to protect domestic food production, and limiting consumption and waste in wealthy nations to leave more resources available for poorer populations.
The document provides an overview of key concepts in environmental science, including:
1) It outlines current environmental conditions such as issues related to population, water, food, climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity.
2) It discusses the historical development of environmentalism in four stages from pragmatic conservation to global environmental citizenship.
3) It describes the divided state of the world between the rich and poor and issues of sustainable development, indigenous people, environmental ethics, and environmental justice.
The document discusses the major increases in human population and consumption that are putting significant stress on the environment. The growth of the human population from millions to billions in just a few centuries due to technology and medicine is depleting resources and damaging ecosystems. Continued population and economic growth will further degrade the environment unless new technologies can be developed to mitigate these problems. Engineers have a key role to play in measuring environmental impacts, creating sustainable technologies, and helping develop solutions to address the challenges of supporting the human population while protecting the planet.
This document summarizes Garrett Hardin's 1968 essay about the conflict between individual and societal interests regarding the environment. It discusses the "tragedy of the commons" where individual actions like overgrazing deplete shared resources. It also covers the environmental impacts of developed vs developing countries and concepts like sustainability, supply and demand, risk assessment, and ecological footprints.
Eulogio Capitan Coleto, a 63-year-old president of the Environment Committee in Vicos, Peru, describes how most families in his community were affected when almost all of their crops, including potatoes, beans, oca and mashua (types of tubers), were damaged due to a lack of rain caused by climate change. Friends of the Earth International published this report featuring testimonies from communities around the world that are experiencing the direct impacts of climate change, with the goal of giving voice to peoples on the front lines and revealing their perspectives on coping with the devastating effects. The report includes nine case studies from countries such as Honduras, Peru, Brazil, Mali, Swaziland,
This document provides an outline of key topics in environmental health and toxicology, including: infectious diseases and emerging pathogens; antibiotic and pesticide resistance; the movement, distribution, and effects of toxins; and approaches to minimizing toxic impacts and assessing health risks. Global disease burdens are increasing due to factors like chronic conditions, cancer, and diabetes. Infectious diseases also remain a major cause of illness and death worldwide.
Can new technology save us in time? 2. Limits to Growth: Food Crash. Paul H. Carr
The MIT-authored book, "Limits to Growth," projects an economic and food-per-capita collapse. Written in 1972, predictions for the population explosion, water shortages, and non-renewable resource depletion have been accurate to date. Can we afford higher food prices?
Anric Blatt Sustainability as an asset classAnric Blatt
The document discusses the growing global challenges of food, water and energy security due to rising population, climate change impacts, and unsustainable resource use. It argues that these issues represent both risks and investment opportunities. Specific opportunities mentioned include investments in agriculture, water, clean/renewable energy, and related natural resources and commodities. The document promotes treating sustainability issues as a critical asset class and taking action to address problems before it is too late.
- Overconsumption by wealthy Western nations is a major cause of global poverty and resource scarcity. Nearly half of the world's population lives on less than $2.50 a day and does not have access to sufficient food, water, shelter or income.
- Unequal distribution of resources, particularly fertile land that is disproportionately occupied by wealthy farmers for export crops, exacerbates poverty. Reducing consumption in wealthy countries and redistributing resources more equitably could significantly diminish global destitution.
- Solutions proposed include land reform policies to make fertile land more affordable and accessible to local farmers, government policies to protect domestic food production, and limiting consumption and waste in wealthy nations to leave more resources available for poorer populations.
The document provides an overview of key concepts in environmental science, including:
1) It outlines current environmental conditions such as issues related to population, water, food, climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity.
2) It discusses the historical development of environmentalism in four stages from pragmatic conservation to global environmental citizenship.
3) It describes the divided state of the world between the rich and poor and issues of sustainable development, indigenous people, environmental ethics, and environmental justice.
The document discusses the major increases in human population and consumption that are putting significant stress on the environment. The growth of the human population from millions to billions in just a few centuries due to technology and medicine is depleting resources and damaging ecosystems. Continued population and economic growth will further degrade the environment unless new technologies can be developed to mitigate these problems. Engineers have a key role to play in measuring environmental impacts, creating sustainable technologies, and helping develop solutions to address the challenges of supporting the human population while protecting the planet.
This document summarizes Garrett Hardin's 1968 essay about the conflict between individual and societal interests regarding the environment. It discusses the "tragedy of the commons" where individual actions like overgrazing deplete shared resources. It also covers the environmental impacts of developed vs developing countries and concepts like sustainability, supply and demand, risk assessment, and ecological footprints.
Eulogio Capitan Coleto, a 63-year-old president of the Environment Committee in Vicos, Peru, describes how most families in his community were affected when almost all of their crops, including potatoes, beans, oca and mashua (types of tubers), were damaged due to a lack of rain caused by climate change. Friends of the Earth International published this report featuring testimonies from communities around the world that are experiencing the direct impacts of climate change, with the goal of giving voice to peoples on the front lines and revealing their perspectives on coping with the devastating effects. The report includes nine case studies from countries such as Honduras, Peru, Brazil, Mali, Swaziland,
This document provides an outline of key topics in environmental health and toxicology, including: infectious diseases and emerging pathogens; antibiotic and pesticide resistance; the movement, distribution, and effects of toxins; and approaches to minimizing toxic impacts and assessing health risks. Global disease burdens are increasing due to factors like chronic conditions, cancer, and diabetes. Infectious diseases also remain a major cause of illness and death worldwide.
Can new technology save us in time? 2. Limits to Growth: Food Crash. Paul H. Carr
The MIT-authored book, "Limits to Growth," projects an economic and food-per-capita collapse. Written in 1972, predictions for the population explosion, water shortages, and non-renewable resource depletion have been accurate to date. Can we afford higher food prices?
The document discusses how climate change disproportionately impacts the world's poorest people and communities. It outlines key messages about how climate change is exacerbating hunger, water shortages, and disease. The document calls on readers to contact their members of Congress to advocate for US leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing financial assistance for developing countries to adapt to climate impacts, and ensuring corporate climate policies support vulnerable groups.
This document provides information about the production of the World Resources 2008 report, which examines how properly designed rural enterprises can help the poor build resilience to climate change impacts. It lists the contributors to the report, including editors, writers, research assistants, and partner organizations. It also includes a table of contents that gives an overview of the report's chapters, which discuss scaling up ecosystem management, building local ownership and capacity, case studies, driving the scaling process, and recommendations. The goal is to argue that enterprises rooted in local ecosystems can improve livelihoods and foster economic, social, and environmental resilience for poor communities.
Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. It requires balancing social progress, environmental protection, prudent resource use, and economic growth. However, continued economic growth risks depleting natural capital like forests, fisheries, water, and causing environmental degradation like climate change. Measuring wealth in terms of inclusive capital, including natural capital, shows lower growth rates than GDP in many countries due to resource depletion and pollution. Urgent action is needed to transition to more sustainable and equitable models of development and green growth.
The document discusses sustainable agriculture and outlines several key points:
1) World agriculture will need to boost production sustainably to feed a growing population while minimizing environmental impact.
2) Sustainable agriculture meets nutritional needs, provides employment and income, maintains natural resources, and reduces vulnerability to stressors.
3) Agriculture makes major economic contributions in developing nations like Bangladesh and has increased food production but faces ongoing challenges.
5th African RCE Conference Remarks by Prof. J.C. Maviiri, Uganda Martyrs Univ...ESD UNU-IAS
This document summarizes remarks made by Prof. J.C. Maviiri, Vice Chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University, at the 5th African RCE Conference on building stronger networks for transforming communities through education for sustainable development. It discusses challenges to the environment and development cited in reports like the Brundtland Commission. It also highlights perspectives on the environment from Pope Francis' encyclical. Finally, it examines three UN Sustainable Development Goals - ending poverty, ending hunger and malnutrition, and promoting inclusive economic growth and decent work - and their targets, and suggests the RCE approach can help accelerate sustainable solutions at local levels.
Overconsumption of natural resources is the most important political issue today because it affects everyone and is primarily a power issue. Whoever controls resources like water, land, fossil fuels and minerals controls huge aspects of the global economy and subsequent population control, putting them in massive positions of power. Environmental degradation leads to conflicts over resources and human rights issues as marginalized groups are most severely impacted by resource scarcity and degradation. Continued overuse and destruction of resources will only increase global conflicts and potentially lead to worldwide collapse if not addressed.
Human population growth and increased affluence are placing major stresses on the environment and society's limited resources. Technology and engineering will be central to monitoring and addressing these problems, as well as creating sustainable solutions. However, predicting the future remains difficult due to uncertainties. The next 25-50 years will be decisive for mitigating stresses on the planet.
Today, food and prosperity are still intrinsically linked. Farm production provides the life-sustaining calories and nutrients that allow poor communities and, indeed, all people to sustain healthy, secure livelihoods. With increased agricultural yields, crop sales generate cash to allow families, communities, and nations to invest in infrastructure, education, and vital services.
This document provides information on various topics related to sustainable development, including population growth, conservation of natural resources, and urban sprawl. It discusses strategies for achieving sustainable development through environmental education and conservation of resources to address over-exploitation. The document also outlines threats to sustainability such as energy depletion, climate change, and ecological collapse if population continues to rise rapidly and resources are not managed properly.
Boulding Award Speech to ISEE 2012 by Mathis WackemagelOlinda Services
Dr. Mathis Wackernagel accepts the Kenneth Boulding Award with gratitude, feeling humbled but also a great sense of responsibility. Humanity is in a state of global ecological overshoot, using more than 1.5 times what the planet can regenerate annually. At the same time, many people lack sufficient resources for a dignified life. Ecological Economics, inspired by thinkers like Herman Daly, is uniquely positioned to address this "double challenge" but few have heeded Daly's call to action despite the growing urgency. The award is a gift to the larger community working on sustainability issues through organizations like Global Footprint Network. In a full world with finite resources, managing our natural capital use
The document provides an overview of issues related to global food production and nutrition. It discusses topics like the green revolution, genetic engineering, meat production, key food sources, and policies around sustainable agriculture. While food supplies have increased with population growth, problems still exist like chronic hunger, overeating in developed nations, and the environmental impacts of intensive agriculture. The document advocates for more sustainable practices and policies that encourage local food production.
Unit 3 a ch 9 s2 changing population trendswja10255
The document discusses global population trends, noting that China and India currently have the largest populations but India is projected to surpass China by 2030. Developing countries are experiencing rapid population growth during a time when resources are already stressed. Rapid population growth can overwhelm infrastructure and resources, affecting access to necessities like fuel, water, arable land, and adequate housing. Some governments try to address overpopulation through incentives for smaller families and increased access to family planning.
This thesis explores the potential for rooftop agriculture in urban areas. It examines case studies of existing rooftop gardens in cities like Toronto, New York, and Italy. The document discusses the benefits of local urban agriculture, including increased food security, community building, and environmental benefits from reducing fossil fuel use in industrial agriculture. It also notes challenges like the technical difficulties of growing food on rooftops. The thesis will evaluate the potential to expand rooftop agriculture and reduce dependence on industrial food systems.
The document discusses sustainable agriculture and outlines several key points:
1) World population growth will increase demand for food, requiring agricultural production to be boosted sustainably through intensification and reducing environmental footprint.
2) Sustainable agriculture meets nutritional needs of current and future generations, provides employment and living standards for farmers, and maintains or enhances long-term productivity without damaging the environment.
3) Bangladesh has made progress in agricultural production and exports but faces ongoing challenges of land degradation, stagnating yields, domination of rice, and population pressure on resources.
This document provides an overview of the threats posed by climate change, including rising global temperatures, more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, impacts on human health and endangered species. It discusses possible causes such as increased human activity and greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution. Solutions proposed include global cooperation on emissions reductions as well as balancing economic development and environmental protection. The document references debates around the seriousness of climate change and human contributions.
This document discusses several key topics related to populations and the environment:
1. It describes characteristics of populations like population size, density, distribution, and age structure.
2. It discusses factors that influence population size such as births, deaths, immigration and emigration.
3. Several issues related to population growth are outlined, including impacts on public health, food supply, freshwater, coastlines, forests, biodiversity, and climate change.
4. Steps that can be taken to promote sustainability and stabilize world population are proposed.
The document discusses how population growth and land use impact the environment. It notes that the global population has grown rapidly to over 6.8 billion due to factors like modern medicine, sanitation, and nutrition. By 2050, the population is predicted to reach 9 billion. This rapid growth places significant pressure on Earth's limited resources. Agriculture uses about 11% of the world's land but can damage soils and contaminate water sources with chemicals. Deforestation to make way for agriculture, grazing, and logging removes important carbon sinks and habitats and can disrupt regional climates. Urban development also affects the environment by increasing paved surfaces that prevent water absorption and increase flooding risks. The large and growing human population threatens to exceed Earth's carrying capacity
Famine relief efforts aim to reduce starvation through various means. Providing cash or vouchers is a cheaper and faster way to deliver aid than shipping food, but may only provide temporary relief. Teaching farming skills can help the hungry feed themselves long-term through sustainable agriculture. Modern technologies could help developing new food production methods to prevent major starvation, but widespread action is needed across countries to secure global food security.
The document discusses how concerns about finite resources and a rising global population were prominent topics in the 1970s. A 1972 book called The Limits to Growth warned that continued population growth and increasing consumption would eventually outstrip the Earth's finite resources. While this view faded from public discussion, recent events related to peak oil production and economic instability have renewed interest in reexamining the models and predictions from the 1970s. The summary argues that early warnings about resource constraints appear to be coming true.
The document discusses several issues related to global food, water, and climate crisis. It includes quotes from Wendell Berry about the benefits of local food economies and the problems created when animal and plant agriculture are separated. It also provides statistics on the large amount of fuel energy required by the US food system, estimating that it takes 15 calories of fuel to produce 1 calorie of food. This energy use is equivalent to 420 gallons of gasoline per person per year. The document questions why genetically modified technologies meant to address global hunger are being transferred to developing countries when they have not been proven to work successfully in developed nations. It sees genetically modified organisms as being driven more by business and profit motives rather than truly solving problems.
Sparked heeft in samenwerking met AOS Studley verschillende edities van de Multi-Generation Workplace Masterclass georganiseerd. Deze presentatie is gegeven tijdens de masterclass op 15 november jongstleden.
De presentatie is verzorgd door Edo Immink met een bijdrage van Tom Rovers via Lync vanuit Kaapstad.
This document summarizes Hatch Energy's approach to hybrid power generation for mining operations. Hatch integrates renewable energy sources like solar and wind with conventional thermal power to deliver electricity at a lower cost than fossil fuels. Their approach removes the upfront capital costs of renewables by having a third party own and operate the renewable assets under a long-term power purchase agreement. This makes renewable energy more cost-competitive for mining clients while lowering their energy costs and risks. Hatch has extensive experience implementing utility-scale renewable projects and designs hybrid systems to maximize the offset of fossil fuels and ensure adequate power supply.
The document discusses how climate change disproportionately impacts the world's poorest people and communities. It outlines key messages about how climate change is exacerbating hunger, water shortages, and disease. The document calls on readers to contact their members of Congress to advocate for US leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing financial assistance for developing countries to adapt to climate impacts, and ensuring corporate climate policies support vulnerable groups.
This document provides information about the production of the World Resources 2008 report, which examines how properly designed rural enterprises can help the poor build resilience to climate change impacts. It lists the contributors to the report, including editors, writers, research assistants, and partner organizations. It also includes a table of contents that gives an overview of the report's chapters, which discuss scaling up ecosystem management, building local ownership and capacity, case studies, driving the scaling process, and recommendations. The goal is to argue that enterprises rooted in local ecosystems can improve livelihoods and foster economic, social, and environmental resilience for poor communities.
Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. It requires balancing social progress, environmental protection, prudent resource use, and economic growth. However, continued economic growth risks depleting natural capital like forests, fisheries, water, and causing environmental degradation like climate change. Measuring wealth in terms of inclusive capital, including natural capital, shows lower growth rates than GDP in many countries due to resource depletion and pollution. Urgent action is needed to transition to more sustainable and equitable models of development and green growth.
The document discusses sustainable agriculture and outlines several key points:
1) World agriculture will need to boost production sustainably to feed a growing population while minimizing environmental impact.
2) Sustainable agriculture meets nutritional needs, provides employment and income, maintains natural resources, and reduces vulnerability to stressors.
3) Agriculture makes major economic contributions in developing nations like Bangladesh and has increased food production but faces ongoing challenges.
5th African RCE Conference Remarks by Prof. J.C. Maviiri, Uganda Martyrs Univ...ESD UNU-IAS
This document summarizes remarks made by Prof. J.C. Maviiri, Vice Chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University, at the 5th African RCE Conference on building stronger networks for transforming communities through education for sustainable development. It discusses challenges to the environment and development cited in reports like the Brundtland Commission. It also highlights perspectives on the environment from Pope Francis' encyclical. Finally, it examines three UN Sustainable Development Goals - ending poverty, ending hunger and malnutrition, and promoting inclusive economic growth and decent work - and their targets, and suggests the RCE approach can help accelerate sustainable solutions at local levels.
Overconsumption of natural resources is the most important political issue today because it affects everyone and is primarily a power issue. Whoever controls resources like water, land, fossil fuels and minerals controls huge aspects of the global economy and subsequent population control, putting them in massive positions of power. Environmental degradation leads to conflicts over resources and human rights issues as marginalized groups are most severely impacted by resource scarcity and degradation. Continued overuse and destruction of resources will only increase global conflicts and potentially lead to worldwide collapse if not addressed.
Human population growth and increased affluence are placing major stresses on the environment and society's limited resources. Technology and engineering will be central to monitoring and addressing these problems, as well as creating sustainable solutions. However, predicting the future remains difficult due to uncertainties. The next 25-50 years will be decisive for mitigating stresses on the planet.
Today, food and prosperity are still intrinsically linked. Farm production provides the life-sustaining calories and nutrients that allow poor communities and, indeed, all people to sustain healthy, secure livelihoods. With increased agricultural yields, crop sales generate cash to allow families, communities, and nations to invest in infrastructure, education, and vital services.
This document provides information on various topics related to sustainable development, including population growth, conservation of natural resources, and urban sprawl. It discusses strategies for achieving sustainable development through environmental education and conservation of resources to address over-exploitation. The document also outlines threats to sustainability such as energy depletion, climate change, and ecological collapse if population continues to rise rapidly and resources are not managed properly.
Boulding Award Speech to ISEE 2012 by Mathis WackemagelOlinda Services
Dr. Mathis Wackernagel accepts the Kenneth Boulding Award with gratitude, feeling humbled but also a great sense of responsibility. Humanity is in a state of global ecological overshoot, using more than 1.5 times what the planet can regenerate annually. At the same time, many people lack sufficient resources for a dignified life. Ecological Economics, inspired by thinkers like Herman Daly, is uniquely positioned to address this "double challenge" but few have heeded Daly's call to action despite the growing urgency. The award is a gift to the larger community working on sustainability issues through organizations like Global Footprint Network. In a full world with finite resources, managing our natural capital use
The document provides an overview of issues related to global food production and nutrition. It discusses topics like the green revolution, genetic engineering, meat production, key food sources, and policies around sustainable agriculture. While food supplies have increased with population growth, problems still exist like chronic hunger, overeating in developed nations, and the environmental impacts of intensive agriculture. The document advocates for more sustainable practices and policies that encourage local food production.
Unit 3 a ch 9 s2 changing population trendswja10255
The document discusses global population trends, noting that China and India currently have the largest populations but India is projected to surpass China by 2030. Developing countries are experiencing rapid population growth during a time when resources are already stressed. Rapid population growth can overwhelm infrastructure and resources, affecting access to necessities like fuel, water, arable land, and adequate housing. Some governments try to address overpopulation through incentives for smaller families and increased access to family planning.
This thesis explores the potential for rooftop agriculture in urban areas. It examines case studies of existing rooftop gardens in cities like Toronto, New York, and Italy. The document discusses the benefits of local urban agriculture, including increased food security, community building, and environmental benefits from reducing fossil fuel use in industrial agriculture. It also notes challenges like the technical difficulties of growing food on rooftops. The thesis will evaluate the potential to expand rooftop agriculture and reduce dependence on industrial food systems.
The document discusses sustainable agriculture and outlines several key points:
1) World population growth will increase demand for food, requiring agricultural production to be boosted sustainably through intensification and reducing environmental footprint.
2) Sustainable agriculture meets nutritional needs of current and future generations, provides employment and living standards for farmers, and maintains or enhances long-term productivity without damaging the environment.
3) Bangladesh has made progress in agricultural production and exports but faces ongoing challenges of land degradation, stagnating yields, domination of rice, and population pressure on resources.
This document provides an overview of the threats posed by climate change, including rising global temperatures, more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, impacts on human health and endangered species. It discusses possible causes such as increased human activity and greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution. Solutions proposed include global cooperation on emissions reductions as well as balancing economic development and environmental protection. The document references debates around the seriousness of climate change and human contributions.
This document discusses several key topics related to populations and the environment:
1. It describes characteristics of populations like population size, density, distribution, and age structure.
2. It discusses factors that influence population size such as births, deaths, immigration and emigration.
3. Several issues related to population growth are outlined, including impacts on public health, food supply, freshwater, coastlines, forests, biodiversity, and climate change.
4. Steps that can be taken to promote sustainability and stabilize world population are proposed.
The document discusses how population growth and land use impact the environment. It notes that the global population has grown rapidly to over 6.8 billion due to factors like modern medicine, sanitation, and nutrition. By 2050, the population is predicted to reach 9 billion. This rapid growth places significant pressure on Earth's limited resources. Agriculture uses about 11% of the world's land but can damage soils and contaminate water sources with chemicals. Deforestation to make way for agriculture, grazing, and logging removes important carbon sinks and habitats and can disrupt regional climates. Urban development also affects the environment by increasing paved surfaces that prevent water absorption and increase flooding risks. The large and growing human population threatens to exceed Earth's carrying capacity
Famine relief efforts aim to reduce starvation through various means. Providing cash or vouchers is a cheaper and faster way to deliver aid than shipping food, but may only provide temporary relief. Teaching farming skills can help the hungry feed themselves long-term through sustainable agriculture. Modern technologies could help developing new food production methods to prevent major starvation, but widespread action is needed across countries to secure global food security.
The document discusses how concerns about finite resources and a rising global population were prominent topics in the 1970s. A 1972 book called The Limits to Growth warned that continued population growth and increasing consumption would eventually outstrip the Earth's finite resources. While this view faded from public discussion, recent events related to peak oil production and economic instability have renewed interest in reexamining the models and predictions from the 1970s. The summary argues that early warnings about resource constraints appear to be coming true.
The document discusses several issues related to global food, water, and climate crisis. It includes quotes from Wendell Berry about the benefits of local food economies and the problems created when animal and plant agriculture are separated. It also provides statistics on the large amount of fuel energy required by the US food system, estimating that it takes 15 calories of fuel to produce 1 calorie of food. This energy use is equivalent to 420 gallons of gasoline per person per year. The document questions why genetically modified technologies meant to address global hunger are being transferred to developing countries when they have not been proven to work successfully in developed nations. It sees genetically modified organisms as being driven more by business and profit motives rather than truly solving problems.
Sparked heeft in samenwerking met AOS Studley verschillende edities van de Multi-Generation Workplace Masterclass georganiseerd. Deze presentatie is gegeven tijdens de masterclass op 15 november jongstleden.
De presentatie is verzorgd door Edo Immink met een bijdrage van Tom Rovers via Lync vanuit Kaapstad.
This document summarizes Hatch Energy's approach to hybrid power generation for mining operations. Hatch integrates renewable energy sources like solar and wind with conventional thermal power to deliver electricity at a lower cost than fossil fuels. Their approach removes the upfront capital costs of renewables by having a third party own and operate the renewable assets under a long-term power purchase agreement. This makes renewable energy more cost-competitive for mining clients while lowering their energy costs and risks. Hatch has extensive experience implementing utility-scale renewable projects and designs hybrid systems to maximize the offset of fossil fuels and ensure adequate power supply.
This report discusses the potential contribution that energy derived from the tides and waves can make to overall energy supply in a sustainable way. It covers the topics of wide range like how tides and waves are formed; functions of the possible and popular power generation systems especially tidal barrages,turbines, oscillating water columns and wave farms. Advantages and disadvantages of tidal and wave energy are also briefly discussed. Some cost data’s used give us brief insight into the economic prospects of the tidal and wave energy. By turning to potential along the Indian coastline, we found that India do have a huge potential of tidal and wave energy, though it has started very late. Government
initiatives and extensive research focused on the mentioned relevant opportunities will surely change the energy scenario.
This document discusses ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), which harnesses the temperature difference between warm surface waters and cold deep waters to drive a power cycle and generate electricity. It describes the Rankine, Kalina, and Uehara power cycles that can be used. OTEC has a potential energy supply of 35-168 terawatt hours per year and can also provide desalinated water and other products. The document outlines offshore and onshore plant architectures and modules as well as cost comparisons and preliminary economic analysis of an OTEC system. It also discusses business opportunities in renewable energy, electrochemical processing, desalination, and using deep ocean water.
The document discusses generational theory and the four main generations currently in the workforce - Traditionalists/Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. It provides background on each generation including defining events and examples of prominent members. The document also notes strategies for creating harmony between the generations in the workplace such as knowledge management, mentoring, and empowering multi-generational teams.
This document summarizes different methods of tidal energy generation including tidal barrages, tidal stream generators, dynamic tidal power, and tidal lagoons. It discusses their basic operations, advantages, and disadvantages. Global tidal energy production is currently very low, but some countries like France and South Korea have larger tidal energy facilities that provide power for thousands of homes. While tidal energy is clean and predictable, its infrastructure is very expensive and viable locations are limited.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a process that uses the temperature difference between warm surface ocean water and cold deep sea water to produce electricity. There are three types of OTEC systems - closed loop, open loop, and hybrid. OTEC takes advantage of the sun's energy absorbed and stored in the ocean to drive a turbine that generates electricity. In addition to power generation, OTEC can provide desalinated water, refrigeration, air conditioning, and support aquaculture. While high capital costs currently limit OTEC, it has potential as a renewable source of clean energy without emissions.
Tidal energy has a relatively high efficiency rate of around 80%, meaning 80% of the kinetic energy from tides can be converted to usable electrical energy. It is an inexhaustible and environmentally-friendly source that can generate energy on a large scale from predictable tides. While the costs of constructing tidal power plants and transmission are high, tidal energy has no fuel costs and power plants have a long lifespan. However, there are few suitable locations and tidal intensity can be unpredictable, potentially impacting aquatic life.
OTEC, or Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, is a technology that generates electricity by exploiting the temperature differences between warm surface waters and colder deep waters in tropical oceans. There are three main types of OTEC systems - floating, land-based, and self-mounted. OTEC plants use the ocean's thermal gradient to evaporate a working fluid like ammonia in a heat exchanger, which then drives a turbine that generates electricity. While OTEC is not yet economically viable at scale, it has advantages of being renewable, low maintenance, and producing fresh water and minerals as byproducts while emitting very little carbon. Further development is needed to minimize environmental impacts and reduce costs to compete with other power sources.
Tidal power, sometimes called tidal energy, is a form of hydropower that exploits the rise and fall in sea levels due to the tides, or the movement of water caused by the tidal flow. Because the tidal forces are caused by interaction between the gravity of the Earth, Moon and Sun, tidal power is essentially inexhaustible and classified as a renewable energy source.
Tidal power can be classified into two types. Tidal stream systems make use of the kinetic energy from the moving water currents to power turbines, in a similar way to underwater wind turbines. This method is gaining in popularity because of the lower ecological impact compared to the second type of system, the barrage. Barrages make use of the potential energy from the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides, and their use is better established.
Hybridization is the process of breeding plants or animals from different stock. There are two main types - somatic hybridization which uses plant cells, and sexual hybridization which uses sex cells. Hybridization can also be classified as intervarietal, intraspecific, interspecific, intrageneric, or intergeneric based on the taxonomic relationship between the parents. Somatic hybridization involves fusing somatic plant cells from different species using techniques like protoplast fusion to create novel hybrids. It has advantages like transferring disease resistance but also limitations in regeneration and selection of hybrids.
This document discusses tidal power generation. It describes the different types of tides and methods for generating tidal energy, including tidal stream generators, tidal barrages, dynamic tidal power, and tidal lagoons. It also discusses tidal turbines, present tidal power plants worldwide, environmental concerns, and advantages of tidal power. The key methods discussed are tidal barrages, which use dams to capture potential energy of tides, and tidal turbines, which resemble wind turbines and can be placed in tidal currents. Environmental concerns include impacts on estuary ecosystems and risks to fish.
This document provides an overview of fuel cells, including their construction, working, types, advantages, disadvantages, and applications. It describes how a fuel cell works by converting chemical energy from hydrogen into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction with oxygen. The main types of fuel cells covered are alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, and solid oxide fuel cells. The advantages include high efficiency, zero emissions, and quiet operation. Disadvantages include the high cost of the technology and fuel production. Applications mentioned include power generation, transportation, portable electronics, and backup power supplies.
Tidal Energy the most common topic in science section and one of the most interesting topic . This slides contains the information how does actually tidal energy in generated and what are the advantages and disadvantages of tidal energy . Wave power design and how it works . This topic is mostly used as a project in schools and colleges in science section in higher schools
Thermoelectric and thermionic devices convert heat directly into electricity using solid-state phenomena.
Thermoelectric devices rely on the Seebeck effect where a temperature gradient across conductive materials produces an electric current. Common thermoelectric materials include bismuth telluride, lead telluride, and silicon-germanium alloys.
Thermionic converters boil electrons from a hot cathode across a vacuum gap to a cooler anode surface. Cesium gas filling can improve efficiency but introduces sealing and corrosion challenges.
Combining thermionic and thermoelectric principles could leverage the higher efficiency of thermionic devices with thermoelectric devices' ability to utilize lower temperature heat sources.
Magneto hydro dynamic (mhd) power generationHemanth Duru
MHD Power Generation Is a Direct Energy conversion System Which Converts Heat Energy into Electrical Energy Without Any Intermediate stage(i.e Mechanical Energy).
It is a new technology which helps us to reach our world power demands.
It Partially Used in Developed Countries like USSR,USA,Japan.
It is in Under construction in Developing countries like India etc.
Its Losses are Less.
Initial Cost Is High.
This document presents information about an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion project. It includes an introduction to OTEC technology, descriptions of open and closed cycle systems, details about the group's design which uses a thermoelectric module to increase efficiency compared to conventional designs, schematics, materials used, how it works, calculations of efficiency around 26% for their design and 7% for conventional, discussions of pros and cons, and future prospects including making the technology more efficient and addressing environmental impacts.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion SystemsNaveen Kumar
OTEC or OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION, is a renewable energy technology that converts solar radiation to electric power by use of the world oceans. The use of OTEC as a source of electricity will help reduce the state’s almost complete dependence on imported fossil fuels. About one fourth of the 1.7 * 1013 watts of solar energy reaching the earth’s atmosphere is absorbed by sea water. OTEC can be considered as an indirect solar technology because the surface water are warmed by the sun. OTEC can also be used to produce ammonia, hydrogen, aluminium, chlorine and other chemicals.
Vietnamese Immigration Into The United StatesLiz Sims
- California has experienced a severe drought for the past 5 years with high temperatures and lack of precipitation.
- There is conflict between different groups over limited water resources, including farmers, residents, and environmentalists who all want to use water for different purposes.
- Farmers argue they should not face further restrictions, as they are already limited in the amount of water they can use but are responsible for feeding the country and protecting the environment. Restricting farmers could impact food production and supply.
population development and environment is not directly linked but yet there is a indirect complex relationship between population development/ activities and environment for example urbanization, slums , mega cities emerge and the use of natural resources mush faster then they replanish
Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the e...Energy for One World
The report from the Special Rapporteur evaluates how large businesses have pushed civilization to the brink of disaster by exceeding planetary boundaries and evaluates frameworks for ensuring businesses respect human rights. Systemic changes are needed, including new business models that incorporate environmental limits, policies that internalize externalities, and goals beyond GDP growth. The Rapporteur provides extensive recommendations for states.
Climate Change & Water Crisis Around The WorldRidhimaThakkur
Climate change is affecting every aspect of life on the planet. The world urgently needs to make the shift to a low-carbon future to avoid irreversible damage to our planet like water scarcity, severe air pollution, etc.
The Brundtland Report from 1987 defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." It established three pillars of sustainability: environment, economy, and society. The report called for policies that promote economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection to achieve long-term well-being for all people around the world.
l̂̂̂ î;The environmental revolution has been almost.docxSHIVA101531
l̂̂̂ î;
The environmental revolution has been almost
three decades in the making, and it has changed for-
ever how companies do business. In the 1960s and
1970s, corporations were in a state of denial regard-
ing their impact on the environment. Then a series
of highly visible ecological problems created a
groundswell of support for strict government regu-
lation. In the United States, Lake Erie was dead. In
Europe, the Rhine was on fire. In Japan, people were
dying of mercury poisoning.
Today many companies have accepted their re-
sponsibility to do no harm to the environment.
Products and production processes are becoming
cleaner; and where sueh change is under way, the
environment is on the mend. In the industrialized
nations, more and more companies are "going
green" as they realize that they can reduce pollu-
tion and increase profits simultaneously. We have
come a long way.
fer to as its carrying capacity. Increasingly, the
scourges of the late twentieth century-depleted
farmland, fisheries, and forests,- choking urban pol-
lution,- poverty; infectious disease; and migration-
are spilling over geopolitical borders. The simple
fact is this: in meeting our needs, we are destroying
the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
The roots of the problem-explosive population
growth and rapid economic development in the
emerging economies - are political and social issues
that exceed the mandate and the capabilities of any
corporation. At the same time, corporations are the
only organizations with the resources, the technol-
ogy, the global reach, and, ultimately, the motiva-
tion to achieve sustainability.
It is easy to state the case in the negative: faced
with impoverished customers, degraded environ-
ments, failing political systems, and unraveling
societies, it will be increasingly difficult for cor-
Strateqies for a Sustainable World
But the distance we've traveled will seem small
when, in 30 years, we look hack at the 1990s. Be-
yond greening lies an enormous challenge-and an
enormous opportunity. The challenge is to develop
a sustainable global economy: an economy that the
planet is capable of supporting indefinitely. Al-
though we may be approaching ecological recovery
in the developed world, the planet as a whole re-
mains on an unsustainable course. Those who
think that sustainability is only a matter of pollu-
tion control are missing the bigger picture. Even if
all the companies in the developed world were to
achieve zero emissions by the year 2000, the earth
would still be stressed beyond what biologists re-
porations to do business. But the positive case is
even more powerful. The more we learn about the
challenges of sustainability, the clearer it is that we
are poised at the threshold of a historic moment
in which many of the world's industries may be
transformed.
To date, the business logic for greening has been
largely operational or technical: bottom-up pollu-
tion-prevention programs have saved companies
S ...
Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It requires balancing social, economic, and environmental considerations. Examples of sustainable development projects include using solar and wind energy, practicing crop rotation in agriculture, and building more sustainable cities and infrastructure. The document outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals related to issues such as eliminating poverty and hunger, ensuring access to education and healthcare, achieving gender equality, providing clean water and sanitation, increasing access to renewable energy, making cities more sustainable, responsible consumption, and combating climate change.
This document provides an overview and summary of a guide to caring for our living planet. It was created through a collaboration between the scientific and spiritual communities, specifically the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The guide is inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si' and explores our ecological crisis and its roots in overconsumption and current models of economic development. It aims to inform, inspire hope, and stimulate debate and action on key environmental issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, air pollution, industrial agriculture, and unsustainable consumption patterns.
This document discusses the concept of "green growth" which aims to improve the relationship between economic development and the environment. It argues that past models of industrialization in wealthy countries, which ignored environmental concerns until later stages, will not work for developing countries given rising costs of environmental damage and population growth. Examples are given of projects in developing countries that pay farmers to adopt environmentally-friendly practices, improving incomes and ecosystems. While critics argue green growth may just be "good housekeeping" or favor wealthy standards, proponents believe evidence shows policies can be found to encourage both environmental protection and economic growth simultaneously.
The document discusses several potential global disasters and sustainability issues if actions are not taken, including:
1) Effects of climate change such as rising sea levels, stronger storms, droughts and floods could displace millions and endanger food security.
2) Many youth face risk of poverty in old age due to spending habits and debt, lack of financial education, unemployment and need for family planning and youth incentives.
3) Food shortages may occur due to smaller farm plots, high population growth outpacing food production, and climate change effects, raising food prices beyond many people's means.
4) Unregulated competition could lead to business collapses and loss of investments impacting people's mental health.
AmyCrum_201551996_Sustainability Position PaperAmy Crum
1. The document discusses developing rural communities in developing countries as potential examples of sustainable green living. It explores three key issues for achieving sustainability: population control, renewable energy generation, and community funding.
2. Population control is important for sustainability, as developing countries often have high birth rates. Contraception would need to be imported and women educated on family planning options.
3. Renewable energy like solar and wind could meet communities' energy needs if properly integrated and maintained by educating communities. Eco-tourism is proposed as a way to fund clean energy and community imports.
This document introduces the concept of regenerative enterprise, which aims to produce wealth while increasing ecosystem health. It notes that global ecosystems are rapidly degrading due to human activities, threatening biodiversity and human well-being. The authors propose a new model called the "Eight Forms of Capital" that recognizes financial, social, material, living, intellectual, experiential, cultural and spiritual capital. They argue that infinite growth of financial capital requires loss of other capital forms. The document advocates for enterprises that mimic natural ecosystems to regenerate multi-capital abundance.
Urban Agriculture on the Rooftop Manual ~ Cornell University
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159`
`
Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110
The United States has made progress on environmental protection through laws and regulations since the 1970s, but still has work to do. While manufacturing companies now comply with environmental regulations and recycling has increased, issues like conserving water and protecting wildlife still require long-term comprehensive planning. In response, many cities and universities have formed sustainability offices and adopted green plans using new technologies. However, continued highway expansion promotes sprawl and vehicle emissions, threatening species through habitat loss and collisions. More sustainable transportation options like light rail are needed.
Determinants of Households Willingness to Pay for Conservation of Natural Koo...AI Publications
Most natural resources or environmental goods and services are exposed to degradation, society over utilize them for only their current benefits without thinking the future life span of these resources. The study analyzed determinants of households’ willingness to pay for conservation of natural Kool water (Burie Kool Wuha, W/Gojjam, Ethiopia). The contingent valuation method and Heckman two step model was employed. The results indicates that sex of the household head, education of the household, value attached to the resource by households as source of income, value attached to the resource by households reserving for future generation and wealth of the households has a significant and positive correlation with households WTP, and family size of households, education of the household and wealth of the households has a significant and positive correlation with the households payment levels. On the other hand, initial bid value has a negative correlation with the level of payments. Therefore, by taking the importance of the resource for the society and the households WTP, the policy makers need to focus on identified factors in designing strategies for the conservation of the resource.
published 2nd february.
on Dasgupta conclusions & recommendations:
Please observe EFOW practice learning and action plans forwards in this decade of action: 99 Theses to Build Back Better
Overpopulation is negatively impacting the environment in several ways. As the population increases, more land and resources are needed to support it, leading to habitat destruction and loss of wildlife. There is also more pollution produced as population growth outpaces the planet's ability to provide clean air and water. If population continues to rise at its current rate, the demand on resources will exceed the capacity of the Earth to supply them.
The document provides an overview of the top ten environmental issues in Kerala, India. These include: (1) laterite hillock mining, (2) reclamation of wetlands and water bodies, (3) invasive alien species, (4) water pollution, (5) coastal issues, (6) roads and transportation, (7) sand mining, (8) waste management, and (9) energy concerns. Many of these issues stem from rapid development which is degrading the natural environment and ecosystems of Kerala. Addressing these pressing environmental challenges will be important to ensure long term sustainability and protection of Kerala's unique biodiversity.
This document provides information on environmental issues in Kerala, India. It identifies the top 10 environmental issues as: 1) Laterite hillock mining, 2) Reclamation of wetlands and water bodies, 3) Invasive alien species, 4) Water pollution, 5) Air pollution, 6) Solid waste management, 7) Coastal zone management, 8) Climate change, 9) Deforestation, and 10) Environmental awareness. The text discusses in detail the impacts of laterite hillock mining and reclamation of wetlands on water resources and flooding in the state. Invasive alien species are also highlighted as a major threat to Kerala's native biodiversity.
Similar to FOA White Paper - Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity (20)
FOA White Paper - Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity
1. Four Core Asset Classes
for Multigenerational
Prosperity
The world’s capacity to provide sustainable sources of food,
water and energy is under pressure with a growing population
and dwindling farmland. How do we preserve wealth in the
face of these critical facts?
By: Angelo J. Robles
The Main Threats
Protection and Preparation
Land: Getting on Solid Ground
Water: Mining “Blue Gold”
Food
Energy
Inside
+
A
bstract:
Can your wealth
withstand a
population
explosion,
global climate change, rampant
pollution, political unrest or war
where you live? Whether or not
you believe in global climate
change or other challenging
scenarios, are you willing
to risk your personal and
generations, that any of these
calamities will not erupt?
In the face of political, economic
and climactic crisis scenarios,
many families could face
dramatic reductions in their net
worth and sustained well-being.
In extreme cases, your lifestyle
and life could become threatened.
The good news is that investing
in Four Core Asset Classes for
Multigenerational Prosperity
—water, energy, real estate and
food—may offer a fundamental
safety blanket;; a hedge against
system failures. These Four Core
Asset Classes are akin to the four
pillars in a building, providing
structural support to your assets.
The strategy described in this
white paper is both defensive
(an ability to better withstand
directional shifts and recessions)
and offensive (the likelihood they
will enjoy increased demand
during the next century). The
following pages explain the
threats to usable resources
and explore how ultra-wealthy
investors might mitigate
potential dangers to their
families.
WHITEPAPER
2. The Main Threats
Population growth is likely to fuel huge
worldwide demand for the Four Core Assets. The
United Nations estimates the world’s population at 7
billion people, while in 1950, it was only 2.5 billion.
In 2050, there will be between 9 and 11 billion living
around the world (depending on global fertility rates).
All those people will need food, water, housing and
energy (as well as health care, education, clothes
and a host of other products and services). Demand
faster rate than the population, partly because of
a concomitant increase in the standard of living,
especially as the growing middle class swells in
emerging markets such as China and India.
Not only are global populations growing, the size of
cities is also on the rise. In 1990, there were 10 cities
with 10 million or more people (six in developing
nations;; four in developed ones). By 2010, that
more than doubled to 21 cities (17 in developing
countries;; four in developed);; and by 2020 the UN
projects there will be 27 such cities (22 in developing
the world’s population currently lives in cities with
populations of at least 1 million people.1
those cities are coastal and far from rural farming
areas.
The quantity and quality of the Four Core Asset
Classes are interrelated. The way land is used, for
instance, will affect the purity of the water on and
around it. Land can be farmed, adding to the supply
of food. Some crops, such as corn, can be used to
feed people and livestock or be converted to ethanol
as a source of energy. Water on the land can be
bottled or used to produce hydroelectric power. On
the other hand, the way land is utilized and managed
can also cause pollution, making water unsuitable for
human or animal consumption and in some cases,
making it toxic. Further, devoting crops to feed
livestock or produce energy competes with demand
for those crops as a source of food.
Future demand for land, water, food and energy will increase
steadily, if not dramatically.
Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity
1
2
3. Protection and Preparation
Learning about demand and supply trends that affect
the Four Core Asset Classes presents an opportunity
to protect one’s wealth and prepare for whatever
circumstances may come our way. We recommend a
two-pronged approach:
Investing directly or indirectly in companies,
land, water, food and energy;;
Using personal wealth to purchase enough of
these core resources so that your family and future
generations can become self-sustained no matter
what local or global trends or crises may impact
wealth and purchasing power preservation requires
families to consider owning interests and in some
cases, even becoming self-sustained.
Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity
3
4. Land: Getting on Solid Ground
homes and developments of residential, commercial
or industrial properties, and perhaps indirectly
investment trusts (REITs). But most of their property
portfolio may not both produce revenue and hedge
against shortages of water, food or energy.
Opportunities:
Owning fertile land can offer the possibility of
access to the other three of the core asset classes
of sustainability and prosperity: water to drink (if
the land has a source of fresh water such as a
river, aquifer or rainfall), farming to produce food
(should the soil not be fertile for traditional farming,
hydroponic farming could be explored), and a source
of some sort of energy (depending on the geography,
one could install solar panels, wind mills, geothermal
capture, water turbines or other types of power
generation), plus a place to build a home. The food,
water, housing and energy produced on this land
could be used by the landowner’s (single family or a
cooperative community) or sold on the open market.
In the event that the entire global system should fail,
landowners would have a sustainable way to care
Classes reduce dependency on the grid. Wealthy
families can purchase land in an area that is remote,
far from political hotbed areas, with comfortable
year-round climate and a source of fresh, potable
water and fertile soil. They can build a home there,
in which every wall is a solar panel and geothermal
energy is used to keep a constant temperature inside
the home. A hydroponic farm can supply fresh food.
There are multiple safe-haven locations to consider
depending on limitations for travel from your personal
point of origin and where in the globe you might
reside. For example, if you are living in New York
City and your safe haven destination were in New
Hampshire, this could prove to be less of a challenge
than getting to Peru or Canada during a sudden
breakdown in transportation or a major ecologic or
economic crisis.
Be creative about other parts of the world where
you can invest in land. The trick is to identify trends
around your country of origin or other parts of the
world that might fuel real estate development. For
instance, during the 1980s, a real estate investor
found a way to anticipate where to buy property. He
out where their expansion efforts would be for the
in those areas to anticipate all the new workers they
were going to hire.
Similarly, whatever you feel about hydraulic
independence, job creation, billions of dollars in
revenue, and lower greenhouse gas emissions) and
dangers (contamination of underground sources of
drinking water and air pollution causing increased
rates of cancer and other health risks, and even
some reported earthquakes), fracking is already
changing the face of many parts of the U.S. Smart
developers are building housing to accommodate
to carry the natural gas that fracking produces. Retail
chains, banks, and other providers of products and
services are following the trail of future fracking sites.
There are even fracking-related private equity and
hedge funds as well as corporate and municipal
bonds.
Real estate investment trusts, companies that
sell building materials and heavy equipment and
large contractors stand to grow to accommodate
population growth and to rebuild homes and other
buildings in the aftermath of the increasing number
of weather-related disasters such as tornados,
tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes around the
world.
Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity
Owning fertile land can offer the possibility of access to the other three of the
core asset classes of sustainability and prosperity:
4
5. Water: Mining “Blue Gold”
Like land, water is also integrally related to the
other three core asset classes. Water is necessary
to produce and distribute energy and food, and
to support residential, commercial or industrial
development on the land.
Increasing urbanization, described above, boosts
generate power or other industrial activities that
comes with urbanization.2
As demand for water (aka
blue gold) increases, the supply of fresh water is
threatened. There are many factors depleting the
availability of potable water:
Melting: Only about 2.5 percent of the earth’s water
is fresh water. And almost 70 percent of that exists in
glaciers and the polar cap, which have been steadily
melting into the ocean.3
NASA satellite photos show that during the summer,
the polar cap has decreased more than 20 percent
since 1979. The NRDC says that the permanent ice
cover is shrinking at a 9 percent rate per decade.
Unless this melting is stemmed, arctic summers
could become free of ice by the end of this century.
Contamination: The National Resources Defense
Council (NRDC) believes that melting glaciers and
sheets of ice on the land have contributed to rising
sea levels, causing low-lying areas around the world
contamination of freshwater supplies. Any exposed
body of water is vulnerable to contamination. For
instance, many people jog around the reservoir in
Central Park, New York. A terrorist posing as a jogger
could easily hurl one tennis ball-sized biological
Uneven distribution: This poses problems for many
countries, which may have enough water overall,
China, the U.S., India and Spain. Other countries
in Trinidad, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.
Unusually huge storms, earthquakes, tsunamis
and other natural disasters have damaged parts
of the infrastructure, from roads and bridges to
treatment plants that are needed to distribute
drinkable water to people in those areas, especially
those who have become homeless or displaced.
Droughts: Steadily rising temperatures and
depletion of global water resources have made
droughts a recurring and growing threat. A National
Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) study
concludes that many highly populated countries face
an increased threat of severe drought in the coming
decades. This trend is already underway. In recent
years, many parts of the world have experienced
severe, long-lasting droughts.
For instance, Australia was walloped by ten years of
drought at the beginning of this millennium, which its
government claims was caused by global warming.
Five of the country’s largest cities invested more than
$13 billion on controversial (because they consume
by coal, a major producer of greenhouse gases)
desalinization plants designed to provide more than
30 percent of its water from the ocean. Australia also
subsidized the purchase of home water tanks that let
people capture rainwater, built dams and pipelines
to connect almost 20 water utilities in one grid, and
facilities that recycle wastewater for industrial use.
Increasing urbanization, described below, boosts the demand for water by
Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity
2
Source: Alexander Zehnder et al., “Water Issues: the Need for Action at Different Levels,” Aquatic Sciences, 2003.
3
According to the environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
5
6. Water: Mining “Blue Gold”
Saudi Arabia and Israel also run large-scale
desalination plants, and new ones are sprouting in
the U.S. and China.4
Some of the largest corporations in the world
have been keenly aware of these trends, and
are systematically cornering global water-supply
outlets around the world (from glaciers to rivers,
to aquifers, for example). The names of some of
these companies may be surprising: players such
as Nestle, Danon and Coca Cola. These companies
understand that trends in global population, water
tables, water consumption and pollution are
threatening their most important asset: water. Without
water there is no chocolate, yogurt or Coke. Nestle
and Danon have amassed huge ownership in water
rights around the world. Not only is water a major
ingredient in their products, but in a possible, if not
probable future scenario of scarcity, these companies
stand to make more money on water than on candy,
yogurt or pop.
Opportunities:
The water business is at the stage at which the
oil business was in 1920s through 1940s. In other
words, it is still a good time to get in. Water-related
businesses that could be growing during the next
hundred years include bottling, piping, desalinization,
plants and in select global location rain capture. Or,
as mentioned in the previous section, one can buy
land that has a river, lake or underground aquifer to
mine the resource or sell the water rights.
Water: The Preeminent 21st Century Commodity
Story,” concludes: “As urban populations continue
to grow, and as the standard of living of those
dwelling in cities improves, there will be a need for
more stringent environmental regulation, as well
as increased capital expenditures for water and
wastewater infrastructure.” These trends may present
many investment opportunities:
Filtration, desalinization, and other clean-water
technologies. Companies that have the ability to
supply clean drinking water may encounter steadily
increasing demand. In China, factories dump dirty
water into the Yangtze River, the main supplier of
water to Beijing, and other rivers in the country. Even
so, the city’s sewage systems operate way below
capacity. The government is investing 430 Yuan ($64
billion) to get the urban sewage treatment rate up
to 85 percent.5
The country is also encouraging the
publicly traded waste-water treatment companies
from other countries, which already do business
operations there. For instance, Veolia Environment, a
French company, helps municipalities and industries
throughout China renovate existing water and
wastewater plants and build and operate new ones.
General Electric in the U.S. is expanding its presence
in emerging markets such as China, and sees water
treatment as a major growth area. Beijing-based
Tri-Tech Holding, which trades on the NASDAQ, is
involved in water-resources management, water
and wastewater treatment, municipal infrastructure
construction, industrial production safety and
environmental improvement.
Bottling. New Zealand usually has a high rainfall
(although it, too, experienced drought recently).
One farmer in New Zealand invested in producing
his own bottled water, selling it in Hong Kong. He
makes more money on bottled water than in his
multigenerational farming business.
Distribution might be another opportunity to
into sources of fresh water. There might be a steady
stream of demand for companies that create tubes
and pipes through which water travels, as well as
makers of trucks and tanks.
Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity
cont’d
4
Source: Global Water Intelligence.
5
6
7. Water: Mining “Blue Gold”
have been
available to investors for some time now by way
of ETF and CEF instruments. Their share prices,
rising tide in their share prices as effectively as
direct investments would. This is changing and will
continue to change, offering increased transparency
and a more indexed baseline against which to base
see a globally integrated market for fresh water within
the next 25 to 30 years. Once spot markets for water
are integrated, futures markets and other derivative
There may be different grades and types of fresh
water, just as we have light, sweet and heavy, sour
crude oil today. Consider how the Carbon Credits
market has evolved and they are not a resource.
Water as an asset class, in our view, eventually
could become the single most important physical
oil, copper, agricultural commodities and precious
metals.
Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity
cont’d
7
8. Food
The same population trends that will feed demand
and squeeze supply of land and water could impact
food.
As one of the four core, interrelated assets, food
production requires land, energy and water. Further,
the demand for food competes with the demand for
the other core resources. For instance, Brazil, which
is trying to become energy independent, generates
most of its power using ethanol from sugar cane. Not
only does this detract from sugar cane supplies that
could be used for food production for people (in spite
of the controversy around sugar’s impact on health),
but keeping up with demand has meant razing more
and more of the Amazon jungle to make way for
new farms. Furthermore, the use of pesticides and
water needed to grow sugar cane is polluting nearby
water supply supplies and impregnating the soil with
harmful pollutants, which combine with the acidic
Similar challenges face the U.S., where corn-based
ethanol is a huge business, not very well received
by farmers that who see the cost of grain rise to feed
their livestock.
One result: cars essentially compete with cows for
grain. A large percentage of all grain produced in the
U.S. is used to feed the 1 billion or so heads of cattle
raised in the U.S. The amount of water, energy, top
soil and other resources required to produce that
its commodity market price and the environmental
impact.
Opportunities:
You can hedge against possible food shortages
of food on your own land, for your own family’s
consumption should the supply of food be interrupted
or contaminated.
From a Four Asset Class perspective, however,
you may want to consider the importance of the
interrelation of the asset classes. Consider, for
example, the cycles of water and food (meat): Each
pound of meat requires about 2,500 gallons of water.
Compare that with just 49 gallons of water it takes to
produce one pound of apples. 6
from technologies that pollute the planet. What good
is enhancing one’s wealth by brilliantly investing in
companies or industries that produce products or
change? A multigenerational consciousness begs a
great-great grandchildren won’t have a planet to live
in? (For those of you who are concerned with social
impact of this, stay tuned to a forthcoming white
paper that will address this issue.)
Food technology
without soil), aeroponic (cultivating food without
point that one doesn’t even need land to grow food.
Consider investing in companies that are advancing
or using these technologies, and think of which
systems you may be able to develop on properties
you already own.
Those who choose to invest in food production
capital to such high-risk, high- reward investments
because food production and therefore prices are
tied to weather, which is impacted by global warming.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to expect many spikes in
the price of the soft commodities.
The same population trends that will feed demand and squeeze supply of
land and water could impact food…the use of pesticides and water needed to
grow sugar cane is polluting nearby water supply supplies...
Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity
6
Tom Aldridge and Herb Schlubach, “Water Requirements for Food Production,” Soil and Water, no. 38 (Fall 1978), University of California
Cooperative Extension, 13017;; Paul and Anne Ehrlich, Population, Resources, Environment (San Francisco: Freemna, 1972), pg. 75-76.
8
9. Energy
Energy is the most vital resource in today’s global
environment. Wars have been fought over access
to oil. Energy, also interdependent with the other
three core assets, is essential for desalinizing and
transporting water, for production and distribution
of food, and for every endeavor,
company and industry. There is little
indication that the world’s energy
needs, demand or consumption will
go away.
All the traditional sources of fuels
carbon-based sources, but even
solar, wind, ethanol and sugar
negative side effects. Their supplies
as demand for energy continues
to rise. But we believe the fuel
of the future will not be organic.
Technology will catalyze energy out of
the most elemental source: our planet’s magnetic
themselves into energy companies as they see their
evolving role as service providers and keepers of the
energy grid more than commodity-centric producers.
Non-organic fuel may not be viable at this time, but
there are ways to invest in all sorts of creative energy
technologies, including geothermal (drilling into the
ground and inserting a pipe to suck out hot air from
the earth’s hot core.) There are even companies
trying to develop processes to splice atoms and
draw energy from the plasma. Not
to mention the host of efforts in
nuclear reactors.
As with the other three asset
classes, it’s important to invest
in energy to protect and expand
your wealth and to ensure that you
and your family have access to
power despite potential shortages
or interruptions in service due
to extreme weather, political
tensions or terrorist attacks on
infrastructure. Despite gasoline
interruptions, such as those caused
by OPEC in the early and mid-1970s,
Hurricane Sandy, if you had been “off the grid” you
would have been less affected, if at all. And had you
had invested in energy companies such as Generaq
that capitalize on weather-pattern issues, you would
have made measurable returns.
Opportunities:
There is no way to tell right now
which technologies will emerge to
replace natural gas, coal, oil or any of
technologies we have today. But in the
not-too-distant future, one or more new
sources of energy likely will become
viable: whether fusion, electro-magnetic,
a new form of nuclear power, hydrogen or
some new discovery or invention not yet
on anyone’s drawing board.
You need to be invested in multiple forms of energy always,
and monitor the entire gamut of the energy industry.
Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity
9
10. Energy
You need to be invested in multiple forms of energy
always, and monitor the entire gamut of the energy
industry. That includes:
Production and delivery. Production of energy is
something that needs to be managed and processed
very in line with the demand. A power plant may have
the ability to produce 1 million kilowatt-hours a day,
but if on any particular day there is only demand for
750,000 kilowatt-hours, the other 250,000 kilowatts
cannot be stored until needed. Whatever is not used
is lost. Worse, there is a cost to not use excess
energy that cannot be absorbed by the grid. Con
Edison, for one, is better at managing excess supply
than Florida Power & Light. So you can short FPL
and go long on Con Ed.
Getting off the grid. Those with the means who
are looking to build a new home should build a
completely self-sustained home off the grid. First,
it’s important to select a plot of land with access to a
wind tunnel and good sun exposure. It also makes
sense to tap geo-thermal energy by capturing heat
from Earth’s core through a funnel and a series of
a free, constant source energy. If you live in the
northern hemisphere, geothermal vents might be the
way to go.
Private equity, hedge funds and traditional OTC.
Hire experts who trade energy. There’s a lot of
money to be made in the energy futures market, such
as coal and natural gas futures (fracking, despite all
the environmental disadvantages is not going to go
away with 100 years of stored natural gas under the
soil).
Access free due diligence. In the 1980s, one real
estate investor made a list of the top 10 corporations
billions by developing residential and commercial
buildings in those areas to anticipate all the new
workers those companies hire in those communities.
Starbucks did the same thing by basing its roadmap
of where it would open stores on where Chase
Starbucks correctly reasoned that Chase engaged
in careful due diligence before it opened a branch.
So wherever Chase moved, that’s where Starbucks
moved.
Today, real estate developers and some half a dozen
or so companies are buying land in small towns
along the carbon corridor, anticipating the need
for housing and infrastructure as the natural gas
gone from making $80,000 a year growing corn to
making millions by allowing gas companies to build
wells on their land. Thousands of construction crews
descend on these towns to dig the wells. They all
need a place to live, places to buy food and clothes,
health care, cars, and a host of other products and
services. Even after the two years it takes to build
a well and the construction workers move out,
maintenance crews will need to move in. And the
wells require one and a half times the number of
service workers as construction workers to keep
these little towns.
Fracking is changing the face of the U.S. So invest in
land, buildings, developers or real estate investment
trusts that follow the fracking map. Also consider
bond issues that are directly or indirectly in the
fracking space.
As an investor, you may need exposure to energy in
every way, shape or form: the greens (wind, solar,
hydrogen, nuclear, electro-magnetic), the grays
(natural gas and ethanol) and the blacks (oil and
coal).
Four Core Asset Classes for Multigenerational Prosperity
10
11. Conclusions
There’s no way even the smartest among us can
become experts in each of the Four Core Asset
Classes. But given the demographic, technological,
political and other trends we have described, it would
be foolish to ignore the realities and the opportunities
that result.
land that contains some or all of these resources
for their family’s use, wealthy investors can invest
by providing these resources to a growing world
population.
The beauty of The Four Core Asset Classes is that
they can work separately or together, using capital
market instruments, corporations that dominate the
space, or by developing your own strategy of being
self-sustaining off the grid.
The beauty of The Four Core Asset Classes is that they can
work separately or together, using capital market instruments,
corporations that dominate the space...
11
12. Angelo J. Robles
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