Writing for TANGENT Magazine

Check out my latest piece on Dave Matthews for TANGENT Magazine:

http://tangentmag.com/blog/2009/12/18/dave-matthews-is-coming-to-town/

Intervjuas av School of Business Alumni Association

Just nu finns jag på Företagsekonomiska institutionens första sida!
Jag intervjuas av School of Business Alumni Association, på länken nedan:

http://www.fek.su.se/sv/Lopsedel/alumn-i-fokus/

Trevlig läsning!

De retour de Paris

Alors, maintenant je suis de retour à Stockholm. Ces derniers jours à Paris ont été intense.. mais très amusant et inspirant!

Demain j'ai une journée complète de "transcrire" à attendre. Puis, samedi matin, je serai en direction de Drottningholm pour le cours du week-end et "la vie politique".

Jan Björklund (FP) utmanar Mona Sahlin (S) på energidebatter

Den svenska elförsörjningen är på god väg att bli en allt viktigare politisk fråga inför nästa års val. Detta välkomnar jag!

På folkpartiets hemsida publicerades det under tisdagen att partiledare Jan Björklund utmanat socialdemokraternas partiledare Mona Sahlin att ställa upp på en rad "energidebatter".

Enkelt sammanfattas de två lägrens aktuella ståndpunkter i kärnkraftsfrågan enligt följande: "Alliansregeringen öppnar för ny kärnkraftsutbyggnad och bejakar överenskommelsen mellan Vattenfall och basindustrin. De rödgröna partierna säger nej till ny svensk kärnkraft."

Jag hoppas verkligen att Mona Sahlin antar denna utmaning så att det svenska folket i god tid får möjlighet att bilda sig en bättre uppfattning om vad de två regeringsalternativen faktiskt tänker kring denna CENTRALA fråga.
Ser verkligen fram emot dessa (eventuellt kommande) energidebatter!
- Bollen ligger nu i Monas händer..

Kan EU och Sverige gå före?

Är nu anmäld till seminariet "Mot ett fossilfritt samhälle – hur kan EU och Sverige gå före och minska utsläppen på hemmaplan med minst 40 procent till 2020?" den 6 november!
(Det är Naturskyddsföreningen som anordnar och platsen är Norra Latin i Stockholm)

EDD --> Work --> 350

Tomorrow will be an exciting day!
The theme will be a mix of climate and work:

I'll start the day by attending the plenary session "Climate Change: The Road to Copenhagen" at the final day of the European Development Days conference at 9 AM. Among the speakers at this session are several Presidents, Prime Ministers, a Nobel Laureate and the Vice-President of the European Commission - to name a few!

Unfortunately I won't be able to be there for the Closing Ceremony, since I'll be heading back downtown for a few hours of work.. (so I'll miss Mr. Bildt, Mr. De Gucht and Mrs Tørnæs)..

But after work I'll be dropping by Kulturhuset and Sergels torg to attend the "International Day of Climate Change" event launched by 350.org.
Apparently, there will be Aerial Art, human formations of the number 350, Speaches, seminars, and other activities going on all day in that area tomorrow..

Heading towards the Swedish Pavillion

Now I'm off to visit the opening day of European Development Days at Stockholmsmässan 2009!

I'm particularly curious to see what is going on at the Swedish Pavillion, which opens at 1.30 today.

Just signed the "Seal the Deal" Campaign petition!

Being a supporter of the UN-led "Seal the Deal" Campaign, I just signed the petition for a fair climate agreement at the Copenhagen conference!

(The aim of this campaign is to galvanize political will and public support for reaching a comprehensive global climate agreement in Copenhagen in December.)

If you want to support this campaign too, just visit http://www.sealthedeal2009.org/index.php and sign the petition!

/Robert

Less than 22 hours left to the opening!

At the time of this post, it is now less than 22 hours left to the opening of this year's "European Development Days".

Since Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the Council I am particularly excited to be attending this year's event here in Stockholm at Stockholmsmässan!! Even more so given the three themes of this year's event!

The three themes this year are:
* Climate Change
* Global Economic Situation
* Citizenship and Development

Multiple organizations and speakers will be present and I am looking forward to be there!

For more information about the event, click this link: http://www.eudevdays.eu/
Hope to see you there!
/Robert

A bit of weight ...

To add a bit of weight to the promotion,
I thought I'd also add this message by Al Gore:

"Dear Friends,

On October 24th ordinary citizens will come together in a series of events, rallies, demonstrations and public art projects all designed to do one thing: bring awareness to an important number -- 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide.

During the last two years, the scientific community has made very clear that it's the maximum safe level for carbon in the atmosphere, at least if we want to have a planet "similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted."

In more than 130 countries, people are organizing thousands of actions that will take those three digits and sear them into the planet's consciousness.

Visit http://350.org and find an event near you.

On the melting slopes of Mt. Everest, Pemba Dorje Sherpa, who holds the record for the fastest ascent of the world's highest peak, will be spreading banners and signs.

On the dying coral reefs of the Maldives, the government's entire cabinet will don scuba gear and hold an official underwater meeting to pass a 350 resolution to send to the Copenhagen summit.

On the shores of the fast-drying Dead Sea, Israeli activists will form a giant human "3" on their beach, Palestinians a "5" on theirs, and Jordanians a "0" - reminding us we need to unite on this vital issue.

Visit http://350.org and find an event near you.

Thank you,

Al Gore"


Hope you also find this day REALLY interesting and worth mentioning to your friends..
/Robert

24 October - "International Day of Climate Action"

24 October is an important day.
It's the "International Day of Climate Action".

All over the world there will be events, seminars, gatherings etcetera focused on climate change issues. Click this link (http://www.350.org/) to find out what will be going on near you!

For instance, in the Stockholm area - in and around Kulturhuset - multiple interesting seminars, workshops and cultural events will take place in "Ekoteket" between 11AM and 5PM.

This is a day you will be hearing more about in the days to come..through blogs, twitters, journals, TV and web sites..

YES WE SHOULD!

Last week I attended an open lecture by Harry Flam, Professor of International Economics at Stockholm University. The theme of the lecture was “Should Sweden introduce the euro?”.

In a convincing way Mr. Flam presented his view on the question, which is based on the research that has been conducted on the topic for the past ten years. Although he did emphasize that "in principal there is no simple answer to the question" he also emphasized the fact that the past ten years can provide valuable guidance. He illustrated the experiences from within and outside the euro area concerning:

• Monetary Policy
• Financial Policy
• Trade and Investment
• Financial integration and Interest rates

The essence of his conclusions:
1. It is mainly an issue of weighing the losses of an independent monetary policy against the winnings of an increased financial integration, increased trade and increased foreign direct investments in Sweden.
2. Trade would increase approximately by 12% and likely bring increased FDI in Sweden.
3. Sweden’s economy is so closely knitted with the euro area that having an independent monetary policy has not been necessary. In addition, the need for an independent monetary policy will most likely be reduced in the future.

Harry Flam finally concluded by stating that “Sweden would therefore likely win financially/economically by joining the monetary union”.

So...based on the available research of the past ten years, it seems reasonable to assume that the answer to the question “Should Sweden introduce the euro?” ought to be: YES WE SHOULD!
/Robert

Growing biofuels - A Pyrrhic strategy?

I just read a very interesting post on Stockholm University's web site.

The heading - "Ny forskning förklarar varför odling av biobränslen ger mer växthusgas" really caught my attention. The post is in Swedish and begins with the following paragraph:

"I en vetenskaplig artikel från 2008 kom Nobelpristagaren i kemi, Paul Crutzen, fram till att odling av biobränslen för att ersätta fossila bränslen kan öka, snarare än minska, den globala uppvärmningen. Slutsatsen, som byggde på en beräkning av hur mycket lustgas som frigörs från odlingsmarker och hamnar i atmosfären, skilde sig väsentligt från IPCCs uppskattning. I en ny artikel i Environmental Research Letters av forskarna Georgia Destouni och Amélie Darracq vid Institutionen för naturgeografi och kvartärgeologi samt Bert Bolins centrum för klimatforskning, Stockholms universitet, får Crutzens globala beräkningar stöd. Den nya artikeln kan dessutom förklara orsaken till skillnaden i jämförelse med IPPCs resultat...Odlingsmark släpper ut lustgas - dikväveoxid (N2O) - till atmosfären. Som växthusgas är lustgasen 300 gånger mäktigare per molekyl än koldioxid (CO2)."

If I have understood this post correctly, and correct me if I am wrong here, but then it basically is as follws: Current methods for growing biofuels brings devastating greenhouse effects! If this really is the case, well then growing biofuels does not seem to be any sustainable alternative for combating the climate change at all. More like a Pyrrhic strategy..

For someone who recently have grown increasingly interested in learning about how to successfully combat the climate change, THIS was alarming news..Even more so since this discovery, although tough to accept, inevitably fuels the "rational" arguments for an expanding nuclear power industry.

COP15 closing in

COP15, The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, is now only two months away. And although the road to a blockbuster deal still appears long, a shift in U.S. policy indeed appears to be taking place. Carol Browner, Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy in the Obama Administration, recently stated that the administration is committed to passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation.

Recent developments within the EU has also opened for new opportunities that I believe can be capitalized on, presupposed an up-to-date knowledge of developments in EUs programs, projects and policies. Decision makers all over the world are becoming increasingly pressured to reduce the levels of greenhouse gas emissions. It’s only a matter of time before significant regulatory developments will follow. Consequently, firms all over the world will be deploying clean-energy systems on a much larger scale than previously.

I welcome this development.

Of course we will have to see what the conference really succeeds with. But even if Copenhagen would turn out a complete fiasco, it seems evident that current developments in both the EU and USA, help boost the activities of key players in modern energy. And this is applaudable. The world must reduce the burning of fossil fuels and increase current investments heavily in clean-energy systems. There is little doubt on that today among the leading scientists. But the really interesting question now is how...
/Robert

Pittsburgh's Inconvenient Truth

That the G20 summit failed to direct enough attention to important climate change challenges is noticeable. Although other important issues were given attention, I am glad to see that organizations like ONE International acknowledges this.
For instance, in today’s post on the ONE blog, Virginia Simmons acknowledges that:

“The G20 failed to call for resources to help the poorest countries adapt to the harmful impacts of climate change, and tackle its causes. It was disappointing that there was no mention of the urgency of addressing these needs.”

Indeed, it appears like the Swedish Minister for European Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, is right when stating that there is still “a long road to Copenhagen”. This is also discussed by Michael A. Levi in the latest edition of Foreign Affairs. A very interesting article..

The nuke infatuation

These past few days have been inspiring. First, world leaders gathered at the climate change summit in New York, and now more have gathered at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh. This of course contributed to directing more people’s attention to the climate change issue.

Although it is welcome to see that more and more “channels” are communicating the need for going green, there is something about this movement that really worries me – The infatuation with nuclear power. For instance, the latest blog post on Carl Bildt’s blog reads: “…Allt fler länder kommer – inte minst mot bakgrund av klimatfrågan – att bygga ut kärnkraften….”

Of course it is absolutely critical that we combat the climate change. And, hence, reducing the global emissions of CO2 is key. No question about it. But… if the only way to succeed with this is by relying on nuclear power, this makes me worried. At least I have gotten the impression that the scientists still don’t know how to deal with the waste yet..At least I remain skeptical to how “advanced” todays technology really is.. There is no need for me to start arguing about the risks involved with nuclear power. The history books speak for themselves.

What I'm saying is that there has to be better alternatives than nuclear power (that are also profitable). In fact, in the latest issue of the Harvard Business Review, there is a lot of focus on green technologies and sustainable innovations. More articles on these issues ought to get out to people outside the scholar society. More research needs to be done in disciplines like business, law, education, engineering etc.. The research that has already been published need to get out to the public. There are tremendous opportunities for journals, magazines, TV shows here. /Robert

1 day to Pittsburgh

Now it's only one day to go..
The Pittsburgh Summit 2009 (G20) starts tomorrow.
Will be following the developments with great interest.

Vive la crise!

Just read that according to IEA, this year's global emssions of CO2 will have been significantly reduced as a result of the financial crisis. Vive la crise!!!...or?

Official Release of Johan Norberg's new book!

Today is the official release date for the new book by Johan Norberg - Den eviga matchen om lyckan
I'm excited about attending the event, which starts in about 2 hours, where Norberg will be discussing wellbeing, happiness and joy with people from DN and the publishing company. A briefing will be added afterwards. Count on it!
/Robert

Should Sweden introduce the Euro?

A topic that has been lively debated between my friends and I, for quite some time, has been whether or not Sweden should replace its currency "kronan" with the European "euro". Today there are several economists arguing for a switch, while other economists argue against it. So what is "the right thing to do" then? One thing appears certain: This is an issue where the experts disagree.

While enjoying an amazing mango pie with vanilla cream and hallonsoda at this really nice cafe at Nytorget earlier today, I noticed in the paper that there will be an open lecture at Stockholm University on October 6 on the topic "Should Sweden introduce the euro?" Swedish professor Harry Flam will be sharing his latest findings on the topic. After recently having gotten surprised by the view of a chief economist of a key player on the Swedish trade arena, I'm very excited about hearing Mr Flam's view..
/Robert

Countdown to Copenhagen

The Swedish Environmental Protection Acency (Naturvårdsverket) currently has a countdown to Copenhagen banner on their website. At the time of this post, it's 77 days, 11 hours, 31 minutes, 56 seconds" to go. Again, it appears like more and more key institutions are getting organized..
/Robert

"the superweek" 17-23 sep

Just read the latest twitter posts by Mr Gunnar Caperius (Bio Advisor to the Minister for the Environment)...
He referred to these important days as "the superweek 17-23 sep".
- Kind of sends a signal of the significance of these upcoming discussions..
/Robert

Climate change, Sweden and "green diplomacy"?

Next week will be an important week for the discussions on climate change - and Sweden will have a great opportunity to play an influential role. Apperently "green diplomacy" is the strategy.

On the website www.se2009.eu, Lars-Erik Liljelund (climate coordinator during the Swedish Presidency and climate adviser to the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt)describes three occasions next week when climate issues will be discussed in detail. The first is a summit on climate change convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 22 September. Climate change will also be discussed in the General Assembly the next day, 23 September. In addition, climate change will be on the agenda at the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh on 24–25 September.

According to Mr Liljelund (when asked about what role Sweden will play in the negotiations during the General Assembly week):

“During the negotiations, the Prime Minister will alternate between speaking on Sweden’s behalf and speaking on behalf of the EU. For example, the Prime Minister will be one of a few opening speakers during the climate summit on 22 September. He has been explicitly asked to speak more as a Swede than as EU President on this occasion.”

GO Green diplomacy! (I guess...) ?
/Robert

Vilken marknadsföringsmiss!

I likhet med Carl Bildt, och många andra svenska medborgare, har jag idag missat allianspartiledarnas torgmöte i Stockholm. Till skillnad från Carl Bildt, var detta inte pga någon flygplansresa på väg över Atlanten, utan helt enkelt pga att jag inte hade någon som helst aning om att detta torgmöte ens var inplanerat! Vilken marknadsföringsmiss! Att den externa kommunikationen varit bristfällig - och kan förbättras - blev idag uppenbar. Det finns ett stort outnttjat potential, menar jag, kring nyttjandet av olika socaila medier inför såna här möten. Detta måste beaktas i fortsättningen.
/Robert

Naomi Klein and Facts?

Now I'm the proud owner of the book "Allt om Naomi Kleins Nakenchock" - A book where Johan Norberg apparently critizes Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine". This will be interesting reading..
/Robert

The Financial Fiasco

I just watched an interesting video presentation by Johan Norberg and thought I'd upload it here on the blog. In a very intersting way Mr Norberg puts forward his view on the causes and key players behind the crisis. The presentation is afterwards followed by intersting comments and questions. If you have any interst in learning more about what actually triggered the financial crisis, and you've got an hour or so to spear, click this link: http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=6419
Sit back and enjoy!
/Robert

small houses replaced by big towers

Two weeks after returning from my trip to Ireland, my thoughts went back to Dublin again this morning. Remembering all the amazing people I met there. Their hospitality. Thier generosity. The excitement in their eyes when they told us about the must see Aillwee caves and the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. I agree the Cliffs of Moher is simply a Must see.

But it struck me how a country with so incredible sights can have young talented people, with so little hope for the future. They told me about the rising unemployment rates. The situation in the health care sector. The quality of their hospitals. The fading hope in finding a decent job. Call me unenlightened, but that this is the current situation in Dublin today really was news to me.

That Ryanair “votes yes to Europe” is of course obvious. And I’m very much a supporter of their business idea! But I really didn’t know that there was such a wide-spread hope in the idea of a united Europe. But then I started noticing all the posters on the streets:
“We’re stronger with Europe”
“Stand up for Europe”

Having followed the developments of national unemployment rates for a while, I already knew that Spain has been struggling with their increasing rates. But now I realized that Ireland is fighting a somewhat similar battle. The financial crisis has hit Ireland hard. And one of the results of this hit seems to be an increased EU solidarity.

Walking through the pooring Dublin rain, with a map in my right hand and a cheap umbrella in the other, I was determined to get to Hanover Quay before leaving Dublin. But then I finally got there. Hanover Quay. Right at the end of Dublin docklands. The place where some of our times perhaps greatest music was recorded. It struck me how such a small little house - with such historical significance – now is subject for destruction. Yes, apparently it doesn’t “fit in” with the other buildings in the expanding business region of the city. A tower is planned to become the new base for Mr Hewson and his three band members. But no matter how luxurious this tower may be, I doubt it will ever replace the atmosphere you feel being outside that small house at the docks...
/Robert

Cost cutting won't cut it

With the economic crisis affecting everyone today, it’s interesting to start reflecting on what your own reaction to this crisis really is. And frankly, mine is quite optimistic. I see tons of opportunities! Sure, we might be in a financial recession – but this does not mean that we have to act like we’re in an entrepreneurial recession. Especially in tough times like these, we need to reprogram our mindsets and instead of promoting risk minimization, we should be promoting "carpe diem". With arms wide open (to quote Mr Stapp).

Everywhere today, people are talking about the necessity of cutting costs. Why?!! Since when was that the recipe for growing profits? Since when was that the way for reaching any vision? Cost cutting will not lead to any long term growth. And I truly believe that this goes for both individuals and for organizations as well. If you want to “grow”, well…then Sales growth is required as well. Put in a language actually spoken by people, what I’m trying to say is that cost cutting (alone) won’t cut it. We must start investing again. Invest in our visions. Invest in our passions.

/Robert

The climate changes. We must change!

I’ve been doing a bit of scouting on developments in the climate change debate lately. It makes me furious hearing that so many people still don’t realize how serious the situation has gotten. Educated people claiming that “it’s just a political fraud”! But I guess it’s been good for me to hear these people’s opinions since they actually, significantly, have fueled my willpower to do something. Start making a contribution somehow.

The climate change is today our perhaps most critical issue. There is no doubt that more brilliant people need to get involved in the climate change debate. Fortunately, this has also become acknowledged by the European Commission in their “Annual Policy Strategy for 2010”. Although there are limits to what the EU can achieve alone, the EU indeed has the power to demonstrate the necessity of reforming the way the world produces and uses energy. Hopefully, initiatives like “The Energy Climate Change campaign” and the upcoming “UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December” will result in a more wide-spread understanding of the challenges the world will have to engage in. Decision makers will have to invest in new ways of production and citizens will have to change their ways of consumption. As a result, entire industries will be reinventing themselves.

Does this mean a dark future for the corporate society? Absolutely not! In fact, quite the opposite! From my point of view, this opens for tremendous business opportunities for companies in the fields of environment, energy and transport. And these are no small industries. The business opportunities are endless. And “Going Green” should not be seen as a corporate punishment. Rather, as a corporate necessity.
/Robert

Today was the launch of “Roblog”

Today was the launch of “Roblog”. And you know what’s really interesting? It sort of feels like a missing piece of the puzzle has fallen into place. I’m really excited about being able to express new ideas through this (to me) still very new media. It’s funny how things develop over time. I actually used to be of the opinion that there was nothing interesting about blogs, whatsoever. Guess a lot of it can be explained by having had an inner skepticism towards the media in itself. But after having found a couple of really interesting people’s blogs, and gotten amazed about their ability to catch my interest through their posts, I’ve finally decided to try this thing out. After all, communication has always been such an important part of my personality and since I’ve been writing and shared ideas on a daily basis through other media, I figured, why not give the blog a shot!
/Robert

Welcome to Roblog!

Welcome to my brand new blog! I'm glad you dropped by!

I just launched it and You are among the first to visit. Congratulations!
This means that You will have the opportunity to take part in the development of not only this site, but the very development of my world of thoughts. /Robert