Is It an Emergency Yet?

2017 was the third warmest year on record. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, the nation's weather and climate agency, announced that economic losses from 16 weather-climate disasters exceeded $1 billion and totaled $306 billion, a new record.

When do we decide that we are in the throes of a planetary emergency? There is no one in charge of fixing the systems we have broken. Undermining the stability of the climate systems leads to the disruption of weather, water, agriculture and social stability. When people are facing uncertainty and suffering they may turn to tyrants who promise certainty and the reassurance of simplistic solutions.

Marianna GrossmanFebruary 4, 2018Comment

Climate Change and Agriculture Production in West Africa – Report from a Field Mission

At the end of 2017, Minerva’s Karl Van Orsdol, was sent by the US Agency for International Development to Ghana in West Africa to examine the operations of an agricultural cooperative and assess through a case study how community collaboration could provide resilience against climate change.…(click "View Post" to read more)

Karl Van OrsdolFebruary 1, 2018Comment

Report from COP 23: Time to Throw Out Limitations of the Past

"...I attended the COP 23 meetings as an official observer over their two-week period. It was my first COP attendance, and it was extraordinary, enlightening and simultaneously, quite sobering. While the conference was held in Germany, the official host of the meeting was Fiji...."

Dr. James Hansen remarks to COP23 in Bonn, Germany

Dr. James Hansen calls for Global Climate Justice: Making the Carbon Majors Pay for Climate Action at COP23 in Bonn, Germany. He held a press conference with his granddaughter Sophie Kivlehan who is suing the US government for failing to act on climate change.…

Marianna GrossmanNovember 7, 2017climate, COP23, climateactionComment

The Future of Seeds in a Changing Climate

While flying to Amsterdam for a conference on sea level rise, I sat next to a man who is an agronomist and financial manager for an American-owned international seed company. He is based in Costa Rica where his company hybridizes flower seeds. I asked him if he sees an impact from climate change on his business. He said yes, that the rainy and dry seasons in Costa Rica used to be predictable…

Marianna GrossmanOctober 31, 2017Comment

The Environment's Invisible Issues

Well publicized issues such as rising sea levels and greenhouse gas emissions are just the start of how our changing environment will continue to affect humankind. There are a host of invisible issues that impact the environment negatively. These matters will have a direct impact on generations to come and if we care about the future of the planet, we need to take action now.

Ariana SalahAugust 25, 2017Comment

What if Saving the Planet Were Up to You?

Iceberg the size of Delaware calved off the Larsen C Ice Sheet of Antarctica. What are you doing to turn the tide?

10 Years to Save Civilization

Scientists at IIASA join others in sounding the alarm for quick and decisive action to protect the future.

Marianna GrossmanMay 1, 2017Comment

Sustainability 2.0

Minerva and FigBytes just collaborated on a webinar about Sustainability 2.0. I was surprised to be reminded how inspiring systemic change can be. We delved into the transformative possibilities for sustainability and climate action and considered tools for setting ambitious visions and navigating to those goals....

climate action, economy, energy, risk managementMarianna GrossmanApril 25, 2017sustainability, CSR, climate, data managementComment

Story of Microfibers

Have you heard of microfibers? I recently learned the Story of Stuff launched a campaign to raise awareness about microfibers in the water supply. Microfibers are microscopic plastic fibers coming off of your synthetic clothing.

The most popular example of such synthetic clothing is fleece....

Kanako McPhailApril 19, 2017Comment

FigBytes Inc. and Minerva Ventures Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Sustainability Strategy 2.0 Technology and Leadership Solutions

FigBytes and Minerva join forces to help companies and communities achieve simplicity on the other side of complexity. (con'td)

Marianna GrossmanApril 6, 2017Comment

Better, Safer Buildings February 2, 2017

Find out how to have healthier, safer, more efficient buildings, for better financial returns, happier tenants and more productive employees.

Marianna GrossmanJanuary 20, 2017resilience, climate adaptation, energy efficiency, real estate, finance and risk managementComment

Unaccounted for Risk: How Climate Change Affects Your Bottom Line and What to Do About It

Sound business practice and fiduciary responsibility require that risks to a business are estimated and taken into account either through insurance or through measures to prevent or reduce losses. …The consequences of climate change … lead to new types of risk that many businesses have not yet taken into account....