This briefing assesses the potential to create 'green jobs' through significant public investment in green technology and infrastructure as a key component of stimulus packages - in contrast with the impact of investment in 'brown' jobs or tax cuts.

(Washington, February 9, 2009) – Over 50 of the world’s leading scientists, China experts, political and business leaders recommend immediate action to create a new, groundbreaking collaboration with China to address the urgent issue of climate change.  In a report released today by Asia Society’s Center on U.S.-China Relations and the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, these leading figures provide the Obama administration a new policy roadmap for immediate action with China.

In a new Wiki Book (www.citizenrenaissance.com), authors Robert Phillips and Jules Peck explore the potential of a new Tripartite Contract between Business, Politics and Citizenship; a Contract built and conducted in the spirit of openness, transparency and real engagement; one designed to deliver the common good and safeguard the future of the planet.

The affordability of pensions and how they are to be funded must be looked at in the light of the nation’s long-term economic and social objectives.  In this context, the terms ‘support’ and ‘dependence’ are used and measured in an unhelpful way that incorrectly assumes a one-way relationship.  The elderly are depicted as dependent ‘takers’, but they also support the economy and society through paying taxes and voluntary activities. Instead of looking at the ‘old age support ratio’ policymakers should focus on the ‘total economic support ratio’, which relates the number of people who are working to the numbers not working.  This was 0.48 in 2003 and is projected to decline to 0.45 by 2041.  At this point it will be almost the same as it was in 1961.

UNEP Launches Green Economy Initiative to Get the Global Markets Back to Work