India could boost its GDP by $770 billion by just treating women better
India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, could do a lot better if only it treated its women better. The country could add up to $770 billion—more than 18 percent—to its GDP by 2025, simply by giving equal opportunities to women, according to a report by the McKinsey Global Read More...
From Siberia, an unlikely cry: ‘We need Greenpeace out here!’
At a truck stop at the northern terminus of the Vilyui ice highway in northeastern Siberia, drivers make small talk not about life on the road but rather the life of the road. It might last another week, suggested one driver casually, tucking into a steaming plate of Read More...
Finland wants to boost growth with a new startup residence permit
Tiny welfare economies like Finland are at the mercy of growth companies. At the same time, the competition for digital talent and entrepreneurial minds is stiffening. To foster more opportunities for growth, the country is introducing a new "startup residence permit", which allows startup founders Read More...
Fostering a new culture around organ donation could save more lives
Although the organ donation system saves thousands of lives in the US each year, there are only half as many donors as there are deaths with the potential to donate. That means there are still many organs from the dying that could become a gift of life for someone else. But if we change our mindset Read More...
This is the first shoe ever to be made from used chewing gum
Approximately 3.3 million pounds of gum reside on the streets of Amsterdam each year. To put a dent in that number, a trio of organizations have teamed up to turn chewed gum into sustainable shoes. The team has created a new type of rubber called Gum-Tec by breaking down the synthetic rubber Read More...
Air pollution levels dropped 89 percent during the London Marathon
When you look at the numbers, it’s no wonder activists are urging lawmakers to make the centers of cities car-free. During the London Marathon, which happened this past Sunday, traffic-free streets saw an 89 percent drop in pollution levels. Just imagine how much better our quality of air would Read More...
No coal, no problem: The UK grid just went coal-free for three days straight
Coal is losing its grip in the UK. For more than three days in a row this past week, no electricity was generated from coal power—the longest streak since the 1880s. The new record comes just days after the UK grid recorded its first two-day period without using any power from the fossil fuel, Read More...
These smartphone apps will calm your mind and help you fall asleep
It may sound counterintuitive, but the technology that surrounds and distracts also gives us plentiful tools to help ease ourselves into sleep. If you’ve been having trouble falling asleep, here are a few apps that may help you get a good night’s Read More...
Al Gore: ‘We're in the early stages of a sustainability revolution'
There is a growing perception in the markets of developed nations that our current economic model is no longer fit for purpose. For a number of reasons related to economic performance, social and political divisions have grown wider than ever and large swathes of the population feel excluded from Read More...
Automatic savings app Digit can now pay off credit card debt for you
Automatic savings mobile app Digit is expanding its services, adding the option to let users pay off credit card debt with money in their Digit account. To try out the new feature, called Digit Pay, users create a “credit card debt” goal in the Digit app settings, then activate the service. Read More...