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Curated by Project Syndicate

Fragility and Resilience

10 commentaries

Though industrialization has produced a breathtaking rise in living standards wherever it has occurred, much of that progress has been based on technologies that have wreaked havoc on the physical environment. The challenge now is to create a new growth paradigm that enables us to preserve ecosystems, ensure sufficient supplies of food and fresh water, and manage unforeseen environmental challenges.

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  1. Rethinking Emissions Reduction

    Rethinking Emissions Reduction

    Mar 6, 2014 David Hone proposes a new model to guide efforts to combat climate change.

  2. The Third World’s Drinking Problem

    The Third World’s Drinking Problem

    Feb 19, 2014 Asit K. Biswas & Peter Brabeck-Letmathe recommend a new approach to addressing developing countries' water and sanitation challenges.

  3. The Road from Thirst

    The Road from Thirst

    Feb 11, 2014 Mahmoud Mohieldin identifies four areas for action on the water-related challenges that are impeding economic development and poverty reduction.

  4. Scaling Up Water Sustainability

    Scaling Up Water Sustainability

    Jan 15, 2014 Giulio Boccaletti argues that now is the time to invest in large-scale water infrastructure.

  5. Finishing Off Hunger

    Finishing Off Hunger

    Dec 9, 2013 Jomo Kwame Sundaram on the persistence of high rates of under-nutrition worldwide.

  6. Food for All
    pa3826c.jpg Paul Lachine

    Food for All

    Nov 13, 2013 Jeremy Oppenheim & Tristram Stuart outline a new approach to feeding the world's poor.

  1. isenberg1_TIMOTHY A. CLARYPOOLAFP via Getty Images_trumptrial Timothy A. Clary/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

    Is Trump Above the Law?

    Nancy Isenberg

    Contrary to what former US President Donald Trump would have the American public believe, no president enjoys absolute immunity from criminal prosecution. To suggest otherwise is to reject a bedrock principle of American democracy: the president is not a monarch.

    explains why the US Supreme Court must reject the former president's claim to immunity from prosecution.
  2. deryugina1_BEN BIRCHALLPOOLAFP via Getty Images_ukraineflagsoldier Ben Birchall/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

    Ukraine Is Far From Doomed

    Tatyana Deryugina & Anastassia Fedyk

    When comparing Ukraine’s situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible. But it will require the West, and the US in particular, to put aside domestic political squabbles and muster the political will to provide Ukraine with consistent and robust military and financial assistance.

    compare Russia's full-scale invasion to World War II and see reason to hope – as long as aid keeps flowing.
  3. glennerster2_Scott OlsonGetty Images)_vaccines Scott Olson/Getty Images)

    The Pandemic Financing Developing Countries Need

    Rachel Glennerster urges multilateral development banks to establish mechanisms that enable at-risk vaccine purchases.
  4. krueger74_AFP via Getty Images_nigercoup AFP via Getty Images

    The Geopolitics of Africa’s Debt Crisis

    Anne O. Krueger urges developed countries to back efforts by the IMF and the World Bank to promote growth-enhancing reforms.
  5. palacio156_ Georg Moritzpicture alliance via Getty Images_immigation Georg Moritz/picture alliance via Getty Images

    Why the EU’s New Migration Pact Matters

    Ana Palacio applauds the pragmatic coalition-building, especially by Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, that enabled the deal.
  6. kirchschlager1_Fatih AktasAnadolu Agency via Getty Images_AI Fatih AktasAnadolu Agency via Getty Images

    AI Needs UN Oversight

    Peter G. Kirchschläger calls for the creation of a watchdog – similar to the IAEA – that employs a human rights-based approach.
  7. chellaney_VCGVCG via Getty Images_china military VCG/VCG via Getty Images

    The West Is Hastening Its Own Decline

    Brahma Chellaney argues that the unprecedented US and European sanctions against Russia are backfiring.
  8. zizek29_Sebastian Gollnowpicture alliance via Getty Images_palestine congress germany Sebastian Gollnowpicture alliance via Getty Images

    Canceling Palestine

    Slavoj Žižek worries that the double standards applied on Israel’s behalf will lead to an anti-Semitic backlash.
  9. ackerman2_Brian van der Brug  Los Angeles Times via Getty Images_preschool Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

    America’s Childcare Is Unfit for the Postmodern Age

    Bruce Ackerman urges US President Joe Biden to put universal preschool at the center of his re-election campaign.

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