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Robert Watson

Robert Watson

4 commentaries

Robert Watson, a former chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is a former director of the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development.

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  1. Feeding a Greener World
    watson3_GEttyImages_plantfarm Getty Images

    Feeding a Greener World

    Oct 13, 2020 Robert Watson calls for an end to agricultural practices that are bad for not just nature but also food security.

  2. Nature by the Numbers
    watson4_Yousuf TusharLightRocket via Getty Images_sundarbans Yousuf Tushar/LightRocket via Getty Images

    Nature by the Numbers

    Jul 31, 2020 Robert Watson highlights a new study's calculations of the economic benefits of protecting 30% of the planet by 2030.

  3. Business and Biodiversity
    globe environment noipornpan/Getty Images

    Business and Biodiversity

    Feb 22, 2019 Robert Watson argues that the despoliation of natural systems by global corporations can no longer be kept off the books.

  4. Sounding the Alarm on Biodiversity Loss
    Scientists observe biodiversity Boris Hovat/Getty Images

    Sounding the Alarm on Biodiversity Loss

    Nov 10, 2017 Robert Watson touts forthcoming research that should focus policymakers' attention on ecosystem health.

  1. muzikarova8_NurPhotoGettyImages_chip_manufacturing NurPhoto/Getty Images

    America’s AI Iron Curtain

    Soňa Muzikárová explains how US export controls are harming allies and potentially helping Russia and China.
  2. hubbard5_SpencerPlattGettyImages_bessent_economic_club_of_new_york Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    What Rebalancing the US Economy Really Requires

    Glenn Hubbard

    US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s defense of President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs as a step toward “rebalancing” the US economy misses the point. While some economies, like China and Germany, need to increase domestic spending, the US needs to increase national saving.

    thinks US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is neglecting the need for spending cuts in major federal programs.
  3. rasoolayub1_Alex WongGettyImages_voa_building Alex Wong/Getty Images

    America’s Voice No Longer Speaks for Democracy

    Heela Rasool-Ayub explains why authoritarians worldwide are celebrating Donald Trump’s renunciation of democratic advocacy.
  4. durostu1_Apu GomesGetty Images_LAfire Apu Gomes/Getty Images

    Insurers Must Embrace Geospatial AI

    Pierre du Rostu touts the technology’s benefits for an industry that must shift its focus from paying claims to managing risk.
  5. gelfand4_Andrew HarnikGettyImages_trump_gesture Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
    Free to read

    It’s Time to Abandon Trump’s Flawed Negotiation Playbook

    Michele Gelfand points out that the best dealmakers strive for win-win outcomes, not zero-sum Pyrrhic victories.
  6. bajraktari3_NICOLAS TUCATAFP via Getty Images_fusionreactor Nicolas Tucat/AFP via Getty Images

    America’s Last Chance to Lead in Fusion Energy

    Ylli Bajraktari warns that China's domination of the sector would give it massive economic and geopolitical leverage.
  7. rogoff260_ STRAFP via Getty Images_chinarealestate STR/AFP via Getty Images

    China Can’t Spend Its Way Out of Trouble

    Kenneth Rogoff

    China’s prolonged reliance on fiscal stimulus has distorted economic incentives, fueling a housing glut, a collapse in prices, and spiraling public debt. With further stimulus off the table, the only sustainable path is for the central government to relinquish more economic power to local governments and the private sector.

    argues that the country’s problems can be traced back to its response to the 2008 financial crisis.
  8. mohieldin33_Xie EXinhuaGettyImages_guterres_debt_report Xie E/Xinhua/Getty Images

    This UN Debt Initiative Is Different

    Mahmoud Mohieldin, et al. tout an Expert Group’s efforts to prevent a full-blown solvency crisis in developing countries.
  9. fbirol4_UCGGettyImages_south_africa_power_grid UCG/Getty Images

    What African Electrification Requires

    Fatih Birol & Alain Ebobissé highlight the need for greater private-sector participation to boost investments in power grids.

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