Category: Opinions

Our picks of podcasts on environment, science and economics

If you are looking for interesting podcasts to listen to while driving, commuting, cooking etc., this is our suggestion of podcasts on environment, science and economics for you!

[Book review] 4 pillars of modern civilization: ammonia, steel plastics and concrete – How the world really works

This article summarises one chapter in the book “How the world really works” by Vaclav Smil, in which Vaclav highlights the importance and our dependence on ammonia, concrete, steel and plastics, the 4 key materials of our modern civilization. 

Between writers: The importance of persistence

We sat over brunch one Saturday morning for a chat about what we did on the blog this year, and why we should consistently continue the work.

More books and reading materials on capitalism, climate change and biodiversity

Here are some more suggestions on books and reading materials for your upcoming holiday!

What is worth more – art or life? And should we talk about things that have been talked about before?

Van Gogh, Just Stop Oil, activism, repetition and argumentative fallacies.

Some book suggestions on environment, sustainability and economics

To prepare for the upcoming holiday season, here are some book suggestions on environment, sustainability and economics that might be interesting for you.

[#FutureGenerations series] Claude Garcia: embrace complexity and opt for system thinking

Claude Garcia shared with us his passion for giving the best tools and thinking mechanisms to the public to decide and strategise when facing two of the biggest existential crises of humanity: climate change and biodiversity loss.

[#FutureGenerations series] Julia Bodin: radical changes through dialogues

#FutureGeneration series: a talk with Julia Bodin, founder of Let's Talk Waste and co-founder of Future of Waste. We discuss the power of dialogues, open-mindedness and open-heartedness to find solutions that make sense for all involved people.

Over-consumption in pop music: not a fan’s fault

Her favorite band drops a new album, Trang, an office worker, pre-ordered eight CDs. "Why that many?", you may ask. The reasons vary, but the roots of this excessive purchase lie between fans' support for their artists, problematic music charts and music labels’ sale tactics.

[#FutureGenerations series] Researcher Lan Nguyen: Environmental activism starts with being at peace with oneself 

#FutureGeneration series: a talk with Lan Nguyen, researcher in environmental economics. We discuss the challenges for future generation from a researcher's perspective and her project in mangrove forests.

[#FutureGenerations series] Olivier Dubray: “It is time we designed a new global system that favors cooperation”

#FutureGeneration series: a talk with Olivier Dubray, a French external advisor at Bain & Company. We discuss the biggest challenges of future generations according to Olivier, from his experience of 37 years working on sustainability corporate strategies.

[#FutureGenerations series] Activist Duong Dang: “The biggest challenges must now be tackled at a local, micro-level”

#FutureGeneration series: a talk with Duong Dang, a Hanoi-based activist. We'll discuss the biggest challenges of future generations according to Duong, and her projects in helping voice up the marginalized ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Waste is a Failure of Design – The first year in review

Once my friend asked what my "first five-year plan" was for this blog. I said, well, to keep it going for at least five years?

Alleviate the inherent inefficiency – case of small, local initiatives

We'll discuss two reasons leading to an inherent inefficiency that is probably not solvable and not eliminable, but can only be alleviated. 

Spiritual waste, traditions and alternatives in a city of 8 million people: a talk with artist Chi L. NGUYEN

We discussed the paradox of how spiritual individuals, devoted to higher Spirits and natural forces, can overlook the degradation of their surrounding environment in their daily life.

A future to be excited over – and why is a classic Eden-like utopia not enough?

What would happen next once humanity reaches an Eden-like utopia on Earth? What about space exploration? Why is there a premise that these two visions are mutually exclusive? Why isn’t it treated as one single vision of a future worth being excited over?

Ducan Kitchen: Vegetarianism is simply a change of habit

We had a talk with Duc Nguyen, Vietnamese vegetarian chef, writer and blogger, on vegetarian eating, the vegetarian cuisine scene in Vietnam, and how this diet has been a tradition for hundreds of years in Asia.