The Bard CEP Eco Reader

What is Natural Capital?

Capital, most often financial capital, represents how much money is available. Financial capital also generally refers to saved-up wealth, often saved in order to one day start or maintain a business and purchase goods. Everyone wants capital, and generally more of it. Capital represents security, success, and future gains. Currently, however, the …

If a scientist meets a decision maker, will they communicate by Morse?

During our first-year courses at Bard CEP, we learned about the science-policy gap in the United States and the difficulties that arise when researchers and decision makers need to work together. In the US, if you pay attention to popular media, there is clear lack of faith, and sometimes outright …

The Power of Waste

It has been over a month since I finished my six-month internship with Energy Vision – a national nonprofit organization focused on powering the nation’s municipal fleets with renewable natural gas (RNG) – and the experience has been both educational and invaluable. RNG is a carbon neutral vehicle fuel created …

Let’s ‘Ixnay on the Hombre’ but intelligently… and with love.

Mexico is one of the most bio- and culturally diverse countries on the planet – its future depends very much on the people that lead it. My internship time was split four months in Mexico City and one month in Oaxaca City, working with CEMDA and INSO, respectively. The experience in …

The Policy World is No Place For a One Man Wolfpack

Anyone who knows me well understands that I am an avid fan of the Boston-area sports teams. In the spirit of the New England Patriots advancing to their conference championship game, I find it fitting to kick off this blog with a quote from Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick: “There …

The EU Emission Trading Scheme: The Price Ain’t Right

Emission allowances in Europe are too cheap to prompt greenhouse gas reductions, but don’t ask the US government what the price of climate pollution should be, lest they mention the Social Cost of Carbon Originally posted on January 8, 2014 at theblisspoint.org This is the third post in a series about the …

In Response to Mr. Brooks, Part 2

Gradual government will fail in a changing climate Originally posted on December 23, 2013 at theblisspoint.org Last week I posted a response to a column written by David Brooks, the sensible conservative voice of The New York Times. I agree with Brooks’ that some of us waste far too much …

Turkish Bureaucracy Welcomes UNDP

United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) current projects in Turkey can be categorized in three groups: poverty reduction, democratic governance, and environment and sustainable development. High population growth, rising incomes, and increasing energy consumption are the causes of problems such as water shortages, land degradation, and lack of clean and affordable energy …

In Response to Mr. Brooks

Finally, a political commentator says we should stop paying attention to political commentators Originally posted on December 17, 2013 at theblisspoint.org New York Times Op-Ed columnist David Brooks, in his first article in three months, writes, “Unless you are in the business of politics, covering it or columnizing about it, politics should take …

It’s People, Stupid: C2C Exclusive Conversation with Dr. Bob Musil

By Andrew Bonanno, C2C Fellows Program Assistant Here at the Bard CEP, the C2C Fellows sustainability leadership program hosts quarterly conversations on timely sustainability topics, inviting Fellows from across the country to call in and participate in the conversations. Called C2C Exclusives, these discussions are just one of the many …