Greenleaf is committed to effective and inclusive solutions for a healthy and sustainable world, and we recognize women and girls are disproportionately impacted by environmental stressors, including climate change. Women are over-represented among the world’s poor and are often more dependent on threatened natural resources. They continue to face significant barriers to accessing land, financial […]
Continue readingAuthor Archive: Francine van den Brandeler
Joliet selects Chicago as its future water supplier – an important step forward towards improved, integrated regional water solutions
Yesterday, under the looming threat of severe water shortages, the City of Joliet, located 30 miles Southwest of Chicago, made a decision that will profoundly impact its residents for decades: it chose the City of Chicago as its new water supplier. Its groundwater has been rapidly declining and could be depleted by 2030 without a […]
Continue readingNew policy report on how U.S. Climate Policy can Drive Foreign Policy
In our effort to contribute to policy solutions, we offer this brief by Dr. Roy Wehrle, Dr. Don Wuebbles, and Dr. Francine van den Brandeler, entitled U.S. Climate Policy Driving Foreign Policy. The United States has a unique opportunity to enlist other nations in effective climate action by adopting a strong climate policy at home. This […]
Continue readingImagine a Day Without Water: Lake Michigan and water shortages in northern Illinois
Chicago borders one of the world’s greatest sources of freshwater – Lake Michigan. Its unique geography and the assurance of a constant supply of this essential resource has spurred the region’s population growth and economic development, cemented its position as a transportation hub and helped create today’s dynamic metropolis. When I first moved to Chicago, […]
Continue readingNew report by the Climate Solutions Lab at Brown University supports Climate Club approach to address the global climate crisis
Addressing the unprecedented climate crisis requires domestic climate policy as well as collaborative global action. A report released this month by the Climate Solutions Lab at the Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs at Brown University puts the spotlight on these linkages by proposing 10 opportunities for the next U.S. president to place climate at […]
Continue readingChicago Tribune Op-Ed on “How the US could lead a Global Climate Compact”
As the world continues to suffer from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also witnessed unprecedented devastation linked to our changing climate, from wildfires in California to hurricanes in the South. One thing these two crises have in common is that they can only be solved if nations unite behind the science and collaborate with each […]
Continue readingAddressing Climate Change Using A Carbon Tax & Dividend Plan Within A Global Compact
By Dr. Roy Wehrle, Dr. Don Wuebbles, and Dr. Francine van den Brandeler The existential challenge of a rapidly changing climate requires America’s leadership, vision and innovation to bring on decisive and unifying national and global climate policies. The adoption of a Carbon Tax and Dividend approach is a necessary component of U.S. policy to […]
Continue readingWorld Water Day: Exploring the linkages between climate change and water resources
Born in the Netherlands and now living in Chicago, I’ve experienced the salt and freshwater seas lapping at the shores of my home my entire life. The Dutch have built giant seawalls and networks of canals to keep their feet dry – a growing challenge as sea levels rise. Meanwhile, Lake Michigan recently reached one […]
Continue readingCities are critical in addressing our most pressing environmental challenges
I recently returned from Abu Dhabi where I attended a United Nations gathering on cities and the environment. I met with dozens of experts from around the world to debate ideas and draft a report on the environmental challenges that cities experience but also create, and to outline a sustainable and inclusive vision for tomorrow’s […]
Continue readingClimate Change Central to Investment Decisions
Yesterday, BlackRock chairman and CEO Larry Fink announced that it will make climate change central to its investment considerations and reallocate a significant part of its capital. As the world’s largest asset manager, its (partial) divestments from companies producing coal and other fossil fuels indicates a shift within financial markets. Investors and companies are increasingly […]
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