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