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International efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But experts say countries aren’t doing enough to limit dangerous global warming.
Economics
Infrastructure
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Belt and Road in Kenya: COVID-19 Sparks a Reckoning with Debt and DissatisfactionThe economic impact of COVID-19 has exposed the underlying fragility of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Kenya, already the subject of scrutiny over corruption, pollution, and debt concerns. BRI fueled an ambitious infrastructure push in Kenya.
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China’s Belt and Road
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The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy undertaking and the world’s largest infrastructure program, poses a significant challenge to U.S. economic, political, climate change, security, and global health interests. -
The Future of American InfrastructureHeidi Crebo-Rediker, adjunct senior fellow specializing in infrastructure policy and other topics at CFR, and chief executive officer of International Capital Strategies, discusses the future of infr…
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Exporting AuthoritarianismChina is undertaking massive infrastructure projects across the world and loaning billions of dollars to developing nations. On paper, the objective is to build a vast trade network, but is China also exporting authoritarianism?
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Corporate Virtual Meeting: Infrastructure and the U.S. Economic RecoveryIn an attempt to create jobs and stimulate economic growth after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, President Donald J. Trump and Congressional Democrats have discussed a multitrillion-dollar infrastructure plan. Speakers discuss whether an infrastructure plan could generate the necessary employment opportunities and what other measures the U.S. government could take to promote an effective economic recovery.
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Is Digital Always Better?Digital technology has been widely embraced, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. However, in some situations, it could actually make systems more prone to unpredictable accidents. Policymakers and business leaders need to weigh these risks to determine whether digital is always better.
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Building a Resilient TomorrowBuilding a Resilient Tomorrow draws on international and national examples, some revealed for the first time, to provide an interdisciplinary narrative covering a range of climate resilience solutions.
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Reducing Disaster Costs by Building BetterAlthough local communities decide where and how development occurs, the federal government pays for those decisions when disaster strikes. In the face of climate change, the federal government should insist on local risk reduction measures.
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The Year 2019 in Review: Same Threats, More TargetsIn 2019, almost ten years after the discovery of Stuxnet, the United States fell victim to the first cyberattack that disrupted operations in the electrical grid. Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are becoming increasingly dangerous, yet little has been done to address them. With the modernization of old systems and the introduction of IoT devices and smart city technology, adversaries have a growing list of potential targets to attack. In 2020, governments need to adopt concrete measures to address these threats.
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Building a Resilient Tomorrow
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While squarely confronting the scale of the risks the world faces because of climate change, this pragmatic guide focuses on solutions—some gradual and some more revolutionary—currently being deployed around the globe. -
Is the United States Prepared for Wildfires?Climate change is increasing the risk of wildfire damage to critical energy infrastructure, according to a new Council on Foreign Relations report that details the physical, financial, and security risks to the U.S. energy system.
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Home to Over Half the Population, Nigeria's Cities Continue to BoomIn an article for Bloomberg, Judd Devremont and Todd Moss highlight the rapid urbanization of Africa, arguing that the success or failure of Africa in the global economy will depend on its cities. In…
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How Congressional Appropriations Can Be Leveraged as First Step Toward the Green New DealThis is a guest post by Benjamin Silliman, research associate for Energy Security and Climate Change at the Council on Foreign Relations. Amid controversy whether the Green New Deal manifesto is …
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Infrastructure and the SOTU: Time for Congress to Make Something Out of NothingPaving the road to 2020, Congress will need to steer the course and avoid potholes in 2019.
