Juggling Dynamite

As most in the developed world are busily focused on collecting inanimate objects and shiny things, the most essential commodity–water–remains dramatically undervalued, and so far the most largely ignored, global challenge. Effective water management and infrastructure refurbishment are demanding massive investment and innovation. Just another reason why corporations and governments must stop wasting precious cash flow pumping up asset prices and bailing out bankers. See: Water supplies shrink around the world for a slideshow update.

As part of Bloomberg Businessweek’s Fix This franchise, Chief Content Officer Norman Pearlstine sits with a panel of leading experts to discuss ways in which they are meeting the global water challenge. Here is a direct link.

Because reckless players and institutions in the financial sector were not allowed their just desserts of bankruptcy, prosecution and public shame in the last cycle, we are en route for a round trip back to financial pain for the already crippled real economy. See the whole article: Wall St. Redux: arcane names hiding big risk

“The alchemists of Wall Street are at it again.

The banks that created risky amalgams of mortgages and loans during the boom — the kind that went so wrong during the bust — are busily reviving the same types of investments that many thought were gone for good. Once more, arcane-sounding financial products like collateralized debt obligations are being minted on Wall Street.

…the revival is welcome news for Wall Street banks and structured finance specialists. In 2008 and 2009, some banks eliminated their entire teams, assuming they would not be needed again. But last year, revenue from securitizations was up 68 percent, according to the data company Coalition.

“Literally we thought the business was gone,” said Jeanne E. Branthover, a Wall Street recruiter. “The surprise is that this is a skill that banks are looking for again.”

No surprise here…nor should anyone be taken unawares in the next down leg of the on-going financial crisis. Sadly, most will be.

Humans are far behind the natural world in our ability to capture and efficiently use energy. We can learn much from alligators and other cold-blooded reptiles who, when needed, are able to bypass ingesting secondary energy stores like food, and it take it directly from the sun itself. Scientists are hoping a new Australian study of the humble Bearded Dragon could lead to a breakthrough in harnessing solar energy.Here is a direct link.