Monthly Archives: July 2021

Caspian Sea Region

The Caspian Sea region consists of countries with complex economic and political relations. The region is replete with natural resources which mainly determine the economic health of the countries located near the Caspian Sea. The sea is bounded by five countries, while the broad Caspian Sea region encompasses more than just five of them. The littoral states are Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Russia, and Iran. Among the five countries, Kazakhstan has the longest coastline, while Iran has the shortest coastline. The 2018 Convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea has granted 15 miles of territorial waters and 10 miles of exclusive fishing rights to each littoral state, solving a decade-long dispute over the status of the Sea. (1) In addition to those countries, Tajikistan, Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are generally considered to parts of the broad Caspian region. Due to its strategically important location, the region serves as a connection between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. As a consequence, many other states, such as China and the US, try to influence it and maintain good economic and political relations with the region.

The economies of the Caspian region countries differ widely concerning their material wealth, economic health levels, and diversification levels. As most countries in the region owe their economic successes to their natural resources, they are not sufficiently diversified and face severe risks from fluctuations in commodity prices. This is probably the main weakness of the Caspian region economies. The infamous 2014 oil price crash has led to diminishing economic growth rates in many of them. Since then, the states have been employing various diversification policies to mitigate the risks of overreliance on resources. The ongoing shift to green energy may have even greater negative impacts on those economies unless they truly diversify.

The contribution of oil and gas to the GDPs of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan has been higher than 10%, and oil and gas exports accounted for more than 40% of their total exports. As a result of their strategic importance, two of these countries, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, have been able to attract the largest share of FDI in the Caspian Sea region.(2) Despite several instances of slow growth rates which were mainly caused by external factors, both economies have shown steady economic growth since independence. (3) (4)

The average economic growth rate of the Caspian region is nearly 4%.(5) Apparently, the growth rate is not very satisfying for such a region. As of now, the highest GDP growth rate in the region belongs to Tajikistan at 7.5%, while the lowest one is the growth rate of Kyrgyzstan.(6) (7)

It should be noted that the pandemic had a negative effect on the growth rates, and the economies are expected to recover soon. However, many fundamental issues may remain for a long while. Apart from the insufficient diversification problem, common problems include corruption, overreliance on remittances from foreign countries, mainly from Russia, and underutilization of capital. Russia, the largest economy of the region, is also the main import and export partner of most of the countries in the region. This explains why the 2014-2015 financial crisis in Russia had such a significant impact on the economies of surrounding countries. Additionally, landlocked countries in the region, such as Armenia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, do not get the benefits of being next to the sea, and this reflects on their economies to a certain degree.

However, the Soviet legacy still persists in some of the Caspian states. The lack of economic freedom is still a problem in many of the Caspian countries. According to Caspian Policy, Azerbaijan has had the greatest change (35.4) in its economic freedom score over the last 25 years. (8) The country has achieved the result mainly by becoming an important transit road, joining the WTO, and improving diversification. Meanwhile, the economic freedom score of Russia changed by 7.5 only, which was the lowest in the region. Currently, Georgia has the highest economic freedom score, followed by Armenia. Reforms made in both countries have proven effective. The development of the Armenian economy has been especially hampered by the blockade created as a result of its long-standing conflict with Azerbaijan. Kazakhstan is assumed to have a significant potential for a better economy, though the actions taken by the government and the lack of diversification have prevented the economy from realizing its potential. The remaining countries, namely Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, are suffering from the lack of a strong legal framework, and it is thought to be among the main factors that hinder development. Georgia seems to be better than the rest of the Caspian countries in terms of Rule of Law and Control of Corruption, according to Worldwide Governance Indicators. (9)

Except for Georgia and Armenia, all Caspian countries are members of The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The organization is aimed to form a single liberalized market for the member states and enables the states to sign favorable bilateral free trade agreements with each other. (10) Additionally, except Iran, all countries in the region are members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Natural resources are the main source of income for many countries in the Caspian region. The Caspian region economies are considered resource-based economies as most of them depend heavily on mineral wealth.(11) According to British Petroleum, the five major countries of the region, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan hold nearly 8.4%, 32.3%, and 17.8% of the worlds total oil, gas, and coal reserves, respectively. (12) Additionally, the same countries, are responsible for over 5% of the worlds total electricity production. The Caspian Sea itself contains around 48 billion barrels of oil and trillion cubic meters of gas reserves. (13) Natural resources of the Caspian Sea play an especially crucial role in the economies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. For example, the Caspian Sea is responsible for nearly 100% of Azerbaijans total oil and gas production. However, its hydrocarbon resources do not contribute significantly to the economies of other surrounding countries, such as Iran and Russia. It has been estimated that oil and gas produced from the Caspian Sea comprise nearly 0% of Irans total oil and gas production and almost 1% and 2% of Russias total oil and gas production, respectively. (14) Apparently, the region does not fully depend on the Caspian Sea. Despite such a low share of the Sea in Irans economy, Iran has 16% of the total gas reserves of the world. (15) It is the third largest gas producer in the world. (16) Similarly, Russia is the third largest oil producing country in the world.(17)

Apart from its fuel resources, the Caspian countries are rich with non-fuel resources too. The region is known to have a considerable amount of hydroelectricity resources. Valuable metals are also among the vast resources of the region. Gold, silver, iron ore, zinc, copper, uranium, bauxite, cotton, and caviar are among the most valuable and common resources in the region. Nearly 90% of the worlds total caviar production comes from the Caspian Sea. (18) According to the World Gold Council, three of the worlds top twenty gold producing countries are from the Caspian region. (19)

There are around a dozen oil and gas pipelines carrying the Caspian oil and gas to different parts of the world, mainly Europe, East Asia, and South Asia. Exports to Europe are done through Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Uzen-Atyrau-Samara, Baku-Novorossiysk, Central Asia Center gas pipeline system, Kazakhstan Caspian Transportation System, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum (as known as the South Caucasus Pipeline), Trans Adriatic Pipeline, and Trans-Anatolian Pipeline. The last three pipelines are parts of the Southern Gas Corridor. Exports to East Asia are carried through Kazakhstan-China Pipeline and Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline. Another major pipeline, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline (TAPI), is going to be used for exports to South Asia. The pipeline would carry Turkmen oil to Pakistan and India and gain Afghanistan transit revenues. (20) Its completion is expected in 2022. (21) Another important and controversial project, Trans-Caspian Pipeline (TCP)has been proposed, although Russia and Iran have heavily criticized it citing its potential dangers as some of the reasons. The project is planned to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan to European countries, making the country less dependent on the current transit countries, namely Russia and Iran.

Trans-Caspian International Route (TITR) and Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) are considered to be the main transport programs that involve the region. TITR (as known as the Middle Corridor), created by Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, connects Southeast Asia, China, the Caspian Sea, Georgia, and Europe. The TITR reduces shipping time by three times and decreases the likelihood of the risks that are caused by long delays. The TRACECA program consists of 12 ports and 22 land-based routes.(22)

Another transportation route, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway connects Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. BTK, the shortest rail link between Europe and Asia, does not have a passenger service for now, but it is used by several countries, including, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and China, for freight transportation. BTK is expected to transport 1 million passengers and 6.5 million tons of freight annually.(23)

A new project, Caspian Digital Hub, is planned to commence at the end of 2021. The project will enable data transfer from Europe to Asia through data centers in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, create an open information society in Eurasia, and improve Internet services in the region. (24) The fiber optic links that will transfer data are going to be built along the bottom of the Caspian Sea. The length of the cable is expected to be almost 400 km.

Russia remains the main military equipment provider in the region. The country is the second largest military hardware exporter in the world and has imported only a limited of amount equipment from others including Israel, and France. (25) Between 2016 and 2020, Russia accounted for 89% and 17% of total arms imports of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, respectively. (26) Meanwhile, arms imports from Russia represented 94% of Armenias total arms imports. According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Armenia and Azerbaijan were responsible for 0.3% and 0.7% of global arms transfers.

Among other major providers of military equipment to the region are Turkey, China, and Israel. Turkey is among the top arms exporters of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, while China exports to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. (27)

*About the author: Ali Mammadov has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance at George Washington University. Currently, he is a Visiting Researcher at Economics Research Institute and writes blog posts on his Medium account. He is going to pursue a Master of Arts in International Relations at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

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Geoeconomics Of The Caspian Sea Region Analysis - Eurasia Review

Greenland is scrapping all new oil and gas exploration due to the escalating climate emergency and the high-price of extracting the valuable resource, the government announced Thursday.

While the U.S. Geological Survey estimates there could be nearly 18 billion untapped barrels of oil on Greenlands west coast alone, government officials said the price of extraction and impact on the environment is too costly.

The government said it decided to stop issuing new licenses for oil and gas exploration. The decision is a win for environmentalists but could hinder Greenlands efforts to gain economic independence from Denmark, which provides the territory an annual subsidy. The yearly grant makes up about two-thirds of the large islands economy.

As a society, we must dare to stop and ask ourselves why we want to exploit a resource. Is the decision based upon updated insight and the belief that it is the right thing to do? Or are we just continuing business as usual? Naaja H. Nathanielsen, Greenlands minister for housing, infrastructure, mineral resources and gender equality, said in a statement.

America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.

It is the position of the Greenlandic government that our country is better off focusing on sustainable development, such as the potential for renewable energy, Nathanielsen said.

Greenland is rich in both oil and mineral resources, and the government said it remains committed to developing its vast mineral potential, although lawmakers are considering a measure to ban uranium mining.

Global sea levels have risen about 9 inches since 1880, with a third of that occurring over the last two and a half decades. The increase is due to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets and thermal expansion of seawater as its getting warmer.

Ice loss from the Greenland ice sheet increased seven-fold from 34 billion tons per year between 1992 to 2001, to 247 billion tons per year between 2012 and 2016.

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Greenland is stopping all oil exploration because of climate change | TheHill - The Hill

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Board released its July 2021 Beige Bookupdate, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations pertaining to the U.S. agricultural economy.

* Sixth District- Atlanta Agricultural conditions remained mixed. Widespread rain across parts of the District resulted in abnormally moist to excessively wet conditions while much of Florida and southern Georgia experienced abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions.

Planting progress for much of the regions cotton, soybean, and peanut crops were mostly on par with the five-year average. On a month-over- month basis, the production forecast for Floridas orange crop was up in June while the grapefruit production forecast was down; both forecasts remained below last years production levels. The USDA reported year-over- year prices paid to farmers in May were up for corn, cotton, soybeans, cattle, broilers, eggs, and milk, but down for rice. On a month-over-month basis, prices were up for corn, rice, soybeans, broilers, eggs, and milk, but down for cotton. Cattle prices were unchanged.

* Seventh District- Chicago

Agriculture stayed on course to earn higher market- based incomes relative to last year, as most product prices remained high enough to offset increased costs for freight, energy, fertilizers, and labor.

On net, corn prices were little changed, while soybean prices were a little lower over the reporting period. Although planted corn and soybean acreage was up from last year, it was lower than expected earlier in the growing season, which helped maintain prices. Crop conditions for corn and soybeans were mixed, as some parts of the District were in excellent shape and others were stressed by drought.

Hog and milk prices eased off highs during the reporting period, while cattle prices were flat. One contact noted that a lack of workers in slaughterhouses had led to the suspension of some contracts with poultry producers. Farmland values moved higher again.

*Eighth District- St. Louis District agriculture conditions declined modestly relative to the previous reporting period but remain steady relative to the same period last year. Between the end of May and end of June, the percentages of corn, cotton, rice, and soybeans rated fair or better decreased modestly across the District.

* Ninth District- Minneapolis District agricultural conditions continued to benefit from strong commodity prices. However, severe drought conditions across most of the District had many crop producers concerned about yields, as most corn, soybean, and wheat acres in the District were rated in fair or poor condition.

* Tenth District- Kansas City

Agricultural economic conditions in the Tenth District were strong through June, with profit margins for most major commodities relatively high.

Prices of most crops were still near multi-year highs, although had declined slightly since the previous reporting period. Hog prices also remained strong. The winter wheat harvest was delayed slightly in parts of the District, but crop quality was not expected to be hindered and higher production was anticipated throughout the region. In addition, the Districts corn and soybean crop was in slightly better condition than the nation in all states except Missouri. In contrast to other commodities, profitability for cattle producers continued to be limited. Drought also persisted in some portions of the District and remained a concern for both crop and livestock producers.

* Eleventh District- Dallas Drought conditions eased in much of the District, though severe drought persisted in West Texas and Southern New Mexico. In areas with sufficient soil moisture, producers were optimistic for robust crops this year. Crop prices were slightly higher overall, supported by concern over U.S. and global drought conditions. For crops like corn and sorghum, cash prices are at an eight-year high. Recent rainfall benefitted pasture conditions, which is a positive for livestock producers amid high feed costs.

*Twelfth District- San Francisco Activity in the agriculture and resources sectors increased somewhat. Eased local restrictions led to generally increased domestic demand for agricultural and resource-related products. International demand for logs, fruits, vegetables, seafood, and other products increased over the reporting period despite an appreciating dollar. Producers noted reduced but still adequate supply and inventory levels of fruits, raisins, and nuts. Supply chain disruptions continued to cause costly delays with trade from Asian markets in particular. Growers in California reported drought conditions and increased costs associated with irrigation. This led some farmers to leave a portion of their acreage fallow, prioritizing water usage on more profitable crops.

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Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- July 2021 Farm Policy News - Farmdoc Daily

BEIJING, July 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As an important part of 2021 Global Digital Economy Conference, the 2021 Global Digital Economy Innovation Competition will be held on August 2, 2021 in Beijing.

The "2021 Global Digital Economy Conference" is co-sponsored by the People's Government of Beijing Municipal, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Cyberspace Administration of China. The "2021 Global Digital Economy Innovation Competition" is jointly organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economics and Information Technology, the People's Government of Daxing District, and Asia Data Group.

Over recent years, the digital economy market and related industries have continued to develop and are increasingly becoming the main form of economic development in China.

In 2020, the scale of digital economy in China reached 39.2 trillion yuan, accounting for 38.6% of GDP. The growth rate of the digital economy was more than three times of the GDP growth rate, which means digital economy had become a key driving force for stable economic growth.

2021 is the first year of the "14th Five-Year Plan". Standing at a new historical starting point, the digital economy will further promote economic transformation and upgrading and the transformation of growth patterns, enhance the resilience of China's economic development, and provide strong momentum for economic and social development.

In order to accelerate the digital transformation, vigorously promote the digital economy, further enhance the competitiveness of the core industries of the digital economy, and stimulate the leading and enabling role of economic and social development, the competition focuses on new trends and hotspots in the development of the digital economy, and is committed to building an international professional event platform in the field of digital economy.

Set a benchmark effect with support of the platform.

The theme of the 2021 Global Digital Economy Innovation Competition is "Technology New Empowerment Digital New Benchmark". Based on the development trend of the digital economy industry, focusing on digital life and health, digital culture, digital trade, advanced intelligent manufacturing and other fields, the Competition has started project recruitment in the form of online and offline.

As one of the characteristic activities of the 2021 Global Digital Economy Conference, the competition is committed to solving the problem of inter-communications among digital economy enterprises by building a platform for communication and resource sharing between government, enterprises, enterprises and investors. The platform will also help introducing the strong support and high-quality policies of innovative projects and high-end talents in the place where the competition is held.

It is worth mentioning that Daxing District, Beijing, where the 2021 Global Digital Economy Innovation Competition is located, has unique policy advantages as a "policy highland for reform and opening up"-this is the only region in the country that has two provinces and cities free trade zone policies at the same time. Daxing also enjoys many major policies such as building the comprehensive demonstration zone, comprehensive bonded zone, and Zhongguancun National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone.

Daxing District is sitting on new opportunities of "two districts" construction, "dual free trade" policy and international innovation cooperation construction. Multiple benefits will maximize the platform effect of the competition, and ultimately help the transformation of outstanding innovation results and cutting-edge technology. More outstanding innovative projects, professional scientific and technological talents will be reserved to build a benchmark city for the global digital economy.

Create influence with authoritative endorsement.

The competition will invite partners and executives of leading investment institutions to serve as roadshow judges. At the roadshow site, investors representing the focus of the capital market, will provide comprehensive guidance and review on the development direction, development skills, and marketing of the participating companies' projects standing at the forefront of research perspectives as well as deep industry insights.

There will also be a number of industry experts, partners of various fields, executives of innovative companies, media representatives and other guests to participate in order to ensure the high level of evaluation and fairness of the competition, and jointly witness the future star of the digital economy industry.

All-round empowerment with abundant resources.

The competition is recruiting projects in four fields of life and health, digital culture, digital trade, and advanced manufacturing. Excellent projects are given priority so the scope can be expanded to Internet or technology-related companies. In order to gather and attract outstanding teams, the organizing committee has specially set up generous bonus prizes and abundant supporting activities for participating companies.

In this competition, there will be 1 champion, 2 runners-up, and 3 third-winners. These three kinds of winners will receive RMB 500,000, 300,000, and 200,000 respectively. At the same time, the competition will also set up a number of outstanding innovation awards, who will be given exclusive trophies and certificates.

What's more, all participating projects will be listed as key projects in the field of digital economy in Daxing District. While enjoying the digital economy development policies of China and Beijing, in accordance with the 1+N industrial policy of Daxing District, priority will be given to the award-winning teams' talent settlement, rent reduction, scientific research and innovation, fund investment, and special industrial policy support for the landing projects.

In order to maximize the impact, the competition will also launch an overall and all-round publicity activity combined with the global digital economy conference cooperative media platform, the digital new country gate (Daxing) branch venue media platform, and the competition-related media resources and platforms.

For participating companies, these are real "empowerment". With multiple strong supports, the competition brings together new directions and new developments in the industry, which will effectively stimulate the innovative vitality and development potential of participating companies, and ultimately actively promote the sustainable construction and development of the digital economy industry.

Project registration deadline: July 15, 2021 18:00. Please submit the project registration form through https://www.wjx.top/vm/tU3Fikf.aspx. Please send the project BP to: [emailprotected]

Please click the link to fill in the registration form.https://www.wjx.top/vm/tU3Fikf.aspx

SOURCE Asia Data Group

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2021 Global Digital Economy Innovation Competition Officially Launched. Accelerating the Upgrading of Digital Economy Industry - PRNewswire

Company will commence trading on the CSE under the symbol "NVRO"

TORONTO, July 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EnviroGold Global Limited ("EnviroGold" or the "Company") (CSE:NVRO), a clean technology company accelerating the world's transition to a circular resource economy, today announced that its common shares have been approved for listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). The Company expects to begin trading on the CSE under the ticker symbol "NVRO" as of market open on July 16th, 2021 (EST).

"Obtaining a listing on a major securities exchange is an important milestone in the growth of our Company. We are grateful for the support of our shareholders and the efforts of our experienced, talented team," said Dr. Mark Thorpe, EnviroGold Global's CEO. "We believe this listing will enhance our visibility and liquidity, strengthen and broaden our shareholder base, and pave the way for accelerated growth as we create long-term value for shareholders, stakeholders and the environment by leading the future of a sustainable, circular economy in metals & mining."

A Listing Statement with additional details about the Company, prepared in accordance with the policies of the CSE, has been filed on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com under the Company's profile.

AboutEnviroGold

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, EnviroGold is a clean technology company capitalizing environmental stewardship and sustainably supplying the world's increasing demand for precious, critical, and strategic metals by profitably reclaiming unrecovered value from mine tailings and resource development waste streams. EnviroGold leverages proprietary technology, superior operationalized knowledge, and an agile, efficient culture to recover valuable metals, recharge critical natural resources and accelerate the world's transition to a sustainable circular resource economy. EnviroGold has acquired remediation rights to precious, critical and strategic mine tailing sites across North America and is actively expanding the Company's significant reprocessing pipeline.

Further Information

Mark B. ThorpeEnviroGold Global LimitedTelephone: 416-777-6720Email: [emailprotected]

Jonathan L. Robinson, CFAInvestor Relations ContactTelephone: (416) 669 1001Email: [emailprotected]

ForwardLookingStatements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to internal expectations, the Company being able to successfully execute its business strategy, the continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. These risks and uncertainties, include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, the state of the regulatory environment in which the Company operates, competition, loss of markets, inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, currency and interest rate fluctuations, and other risks. Please refer to the Listing Statement for more details on the risks faced by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date hereof, and to not use such forward- looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. Management of the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1496619/EnviroGold_Global_Logo.jpg

SOURCE EnviroGold Global

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EnviroGold Global Limited to Commence Trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange - PRNewswire

Mangrove saplings for a reforestation program in the southern Philippines. Countries are failing to ... [+] invest in such nature-based solutions, which offer "triple-win" solutions to economic growth, climate change and biodiversity loss, a new report finds.

Trillions of dollars in pandemic stimulus packages have had a net negative impact on the environment, with over a quarter of the money going to carbon-intensive sectors including fossil fuels and heavy industry, new research shows.

Of the $17.2 trillion so far spent on economic recovery measures globally, some $4.8 trillion will harm nature, biodiversity and the climate, while only $1.8 trillion will make a positive contribution, according to a new analysis of pandemic recovery spending.

In an assessment of 30 major economies, research firm Vivid Economics and the U.K.-based Finance for Biodiversity Initiative found that 20 had done more environmental harm than good through their stimulus spending, though 17 countries had seen an improvement in their spending patterns over the last year. In general, European nations scored highly in the assessment, with Denmark coming top overall, spending $44 billion on Covid stimulus packages, most of which helped support environment-positive measures.

In the largest nationsthe U.S., China and Indiathe lions share of pandemic stimulus money went to measures that would have a net-negative environmental impact, including subsidies for environmentally harmful activities such as drilling and mining for fossil fuels, road building, tax reductions for environmentally harmful products, and deregulation of environmental standards.

The report comes as Democrats in the U.S. continue to push through a severely compromised $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill that largely abandons support for measures to both combat and prepare for climate change.

Meanwhile, the EU has unveiled its latest plan to cut carbon emissions 55% by 2030, in a raft of climate measures the bloc claims are its most ambitious everthough not everyone is impressed.

The Greenness of Stimulus Index indicates that, overall, countries are failing to adequately respond to the acute threats of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Jeffrey Beyer, the reports lead author and an economist at Vivid Economics, told me the findings concerned him for several reasons.

We have witnessed the largest global mobilisation of public money that we are likely to see in our lifetimes, but the GSI shows that we have not fundamentally changed the trajectories of our economies towards something that is climate-compatible and nature-positive, Beyer said.

Even in those countries that scored well overall, the impact of spending on nature had been shown to be often more harmful than helpful.

Public money should be used for public good, not to more deeply entrench our environmental problems, he said, adding that the findings further indicate a general failure to treat climate change and biodiversity loss as the emergencies that they are.

Beyer noted that much of the stimulus cash had gone towards vital measures to keep people in work and to keep economies running, but that even in the rescue phase, authorities had missed opportunities to attach environmental conditions to business bailouts.

But it was in the second stagepandemic recoverywhere many governments had really dropped the ball on the environment.

The goal here is to stimulate the economy through investment, and ideally, orient it towards a low carbon development pathway, Beyer explained. Investment measures, like tax breaks for industrial resource efficiency, grants and loans for energy efficiency retrofits, and investment in enabling infrastructure like power grids and electric vehicle charging points, help mobilise private sector money towards environmentally positive investments.

Some nations, including Canada, Denmark and the U.K., had in fact instituted some of these measures. But the report singled out Russia, Turkey, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia for their support of environmentally harmful sectors without a view to a low-carbon transition.

Rather than pumping further money into closed-ended, polluting measures such as road transport and fossil fuel infrastructure, countries had an opportunity to invest in triple-wins for the economy, society and the environment, Beyer said.

So many measures generate win-win-wins, from all kinds of perspectives. Measures that reduce pollution improve human health and ecosystems; restoration of natural spaces provide climate resilience and habitats, he said. But what we found to be an especially large triple-win is investments in nature-based solutions.

Beyer said that his firms analysis of 10 EU countries recovery plans showed that investment in measures such as agroforestry, ecosystem restoration and urban greening resulted in more jobs, economic activity and emissions reductions than typical stimulus packageseven those that included apparently green investments in solar and wind power. For example, a relatively modest investment of $4.4 billion into nature-based solutions in Bulgaria, France, Italy and Poland was estimated to have created some 140,000 jobs and $8.3 billion in economic activity over 15 years.

These findings align with last months groundbreaking report from the UN which emphasized that the interlinked global biodiversity and climate crises must be tackled in conjunction if the international community is to have any hope of resolving either.

Other studies this year, including a key report from the Oxford Biodiversity Network, have further bolstered the case for nature-based solutions being the most cost-effective and efficient methods for both mitigating climate change and for adapting to its impacts.

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Trillions In Covid Relief Actually Harming Nature And Climate, Research Finds - Forbes

Reading Round-Up Returns to Campus This Fall

The Reading Round-Up is a popular summer book club that introduces new Longhorns to the college environment at The University of Texas at Austin. Over the summer, incoming freshmen choose from a large selection of books curated by faculty members. Then students and professors meet in small groups on campus the day before fall classes start. This beloved back-to-school tradition helps kick off the new academic year, connects students with one another and offers a more personal introduction to the outstanding faculty across departments.

Last year, the 2020 Round-Up gathered over video chat. This fall the reading groups will have a chance to meet up in person. This gathering will be a milestone moment in a return to normal for UT Austin. So far, 764 students have registered, and incoming students can still sign up. Its not too late. There are still lots of great books with seats open.

I love the Reading Round-Up and the chance to talk with new students about a book we all read over the summer, but Im especially excited to reopen campus and welcome our newest Longhorns to meet with me in person, says Brent Iverson, dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies, which hosts the event. Its always a worthwhile experience and a great way to kick off the fall semester, but because we are emerging from our COVID hibernations, this feels much bigger than normal, really special.

The event isnt open to the public, but the reading list of over 60 books is a great resource for anyone looking for the next worthwhile read. Whether you are interested in fiction, biographies or nonfiction, this list has something for everyone.

A Technique for Producing Ideas by James Webb Young

Join the legions of poets, scientists, politicians, and others who have learned to think at the invitation of James Webb Young's A Technique for Producing Ideas. This brief but powerful book guides you through the process of innovation and learning in a way that makes creativity accessible to anyone willing to work for it. While the author's background is in advertising, his ideas apply in every facet of life and are increasingly relevant in the world's knowledge-based economy. Young's tiny text represents an ideal start to university education with its tactics for viewing life through a new lens and its encouragement to look inside for a more creative version of ourselves.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Want to learn how to make positive changes in your life? Start your time at UT having learned simple ways to build positive habits and break up with those that arent helpful. Check out this book for simple yet powerful advice with practical tips you can implement right away.

Grit: The Power of Perseverance and Passion by Angela Duckworth

University of Texas first year students come from many backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a desire to succeed. This book reminds us that a fair bit of our success is in our willingness to give things our all.

In my years teaching college students, Ive learned just how important this concept is both inside the classroom and in life. The stories shared in this book will resonate with you, and they are an ideal way for you to think about your own success from the first day you become a Longhorn for life! If you would like, take the Grit Scale as you read this book.

Make it Stick, The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown

This is a well-written little book on learning. It reportsreal researchnot guesses, conjectures, and opinionsas most books of this sort have done in the past. The book is available as a paperback, audiobook, or ebook.

Perfect Pitch: The Art of Selling Ideas by Jon Steel

Steel shares his experience and wisdom in crafting winning ad agency presentations. Steel, an irreverent Brit who has worked in the U.S. for many years, draws insights from a diverse range of persuasive experts including Johnnie Cochran vs. prosecutor Marsha Clark in the O.J. Simpson trial, Bill Clinton, and a London hooker. The applications of Steels insights extend to any situation where an audience or individual is the focus of a persuasive pitch. This is a lively, fun, and most revealing read.

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein

A timely and compelling message for students who are entering their college experiencewith a narrow definition of who they are, and who they want to be.Rangeis a fascinating case for the importance of coloring outside the lines, whetheryou're focusing on athlete development (like I do) or pursuing excellence in virtually any other field.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks

This book tells the tales of patients afflicted with different neurological disorders. The stories are deeply human and highlight in bizarre and at times very comical ways the importance of the brain for our ability to interpret the world around us.

The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr

Is Google making us stupid? When Nicholas Carr posed that question in a celebrated Atlantic essay, he tapped into a well of anxiety about how the Internet is changing us. He also crystallized one of the most important debates of our time: As we enjoy the internets bounties, are we sacrificing our ability to read and think deeply?

With The Shallows, a finalist for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize in nonfiction, Carr expands his argument into a compelling exploration of the nets intellectual and cultural consequences.

How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom by Matt Ridley

This book argues that we need to change the way we think about innovation. What if we saw innovation as an incremental, bottom-up process that happens to society as a direct result of the human habit of exchange, rather than an orderly, top-down process developing according to a plan? This book tells the lively stories of scores of innovations, how they started and why they succeeded or, in some cases, failed.

Our Iceberg is Melting by John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber

Our Iceberg is Meltinguses a fable-like story about penguins to explain the complexities of creating organizational change in the face of uncertainty. Written in a style everyone can understand, the book acts as a crash course in change management based on the author's award-winning research. In our dynamic and turbulent world this interesting book, with its many levels, is a must read.

Rising Strong: The Reckoning, The Rumble, The Revolution by Bren Brown

Struggle, Brown writes, can be our greatest call to courage, and rising strong our clearest path to deeper meaning, wisdom, and hope. The physics of vulnerability is simple: If we are brave enough often enough, we will fall. The booktells us what it takes to get back up, and how owning our stories of disappointment, failure, and heartbreak gives us the power to write a daring new ending.

The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

A "black swan" is a highly improbable event with three principal characteristics: It is unpredictable; it carries a massive impact; and, after the fact, we concoct an explanation that makes it appear less random, and more predictable, than it was. The astonishing success of Google was a black swan; so was 9/11. For Nassim Nicholas Taleb, black swans underlie almost everything about our world, from the rise of religions to events in our own personal lives.

This book changed how I view and approach the world. Fundamentally, humans think about the world and future events linearly. This is an adaption to survival on the savannah of Africa not at all suited for the complex universe and human affairs. The author is provocative and polarizing - this book will echo in your head for a long time to come.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Bren Brown

Nobodys perfect. So why are we so hard on ourselves when we dont achieve perfection? As a new student at a large, competitive university, the lessons found inside this insightful guide, which Forbes named one of five books that will actually change your outlook on life, may be exactly what you need. University researcher in human behavior and best-selling author Bren Brown shows us how to cultivate the courage and compassion to embrace your imperfections, overcome self-consciousness and fear, and live authentically.

The Strange Order of Things by Antonio Damasio

Antonio Damasio, a professor of neuroscience, psychology and philosophy, sets out to investigate why and how we emote, feel, use feelings to construct our selves and how brains interact with the body to support such functions." This book gives us a new way of comprehending the world and our place in it.

What the Best College Teachers Do by Ken Bain

Want to know the secrets of college success, of achievingrealcollege success in these next four years? You can find the answer in this book, which is based on years of research. The best college teachers engage and challenge students and provoke impassioned responses. As a co-creator of your education, college success involves you seeking challenges and inspiration and digging into your passions. This book shows you how together, the best college teachers and the best college students lead to gaining the highest expertise and readiness to tackle your career, but also your life.

Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff

This best-selling memoir depicts a family's experience with addiction and covers a substantial portion of the author's son Nic's life and the struggles to live with, help, and understand the person with a substance use disorder. This book was #1 on New York Times best seller list,Entertainment Weeklynamed it the #1 Best Nonfiction Book the year it was published, Amazon named it "Best Book" in 2008, and it won the Barnes and Noble "Discover Great New Writers Award" for nonfiction as well.

Beautiful Boy is used as a text in the Young People and Drugs UGS Signature Course. It elegantly weaves the narrative and experience withthe best of the evidence-based science about addiction and recovery.The authors have visited our class in the past, so we can share insights beyond the written word. This book is an excellent vehicle to understanding addiction, recovery, and more about yourself in the midst.

Educated by Tara Westover

In this compelling memoir, author Tara Westover reflects thoughtfully on her experiences as a child in asurvivalist Mormon family. With no formal education until age 17, Tara defeats all odds by gaining admission to Brigham Young University and eventually earning her doctorate from Cambridge University. This book is compelling and thought-provoking, leaving readers to ponder the question: What does it really mean to be educated?

Factfulness by Hans Rosling

Factfulness presents data about the health, economic condition, and safety of the world today and how all those and other features have improved significantly. Most people are misinformed about the world situation, and most people believe that the world is in much worse shape than actual data about the world reveals. If you do not have time to finish the whole book, no worries, just watch some of Rosling's TED talks.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

If you've ever had a teacher that touched your life in a very positive way, this book is for you. Short, very readable, and yet, quite profound in its reflection, Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie describes rediscovery of that mentor and a rekindled relationship that goes beyond the classroom and brings us to lessons on how to live.

Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist by Judith Heumann

Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives. This is the memoir of Judith Heumann, an iconin the disability rights community, known for her leadership in the San Francisco 504 sit-ins. These sit-ins led to the signing and implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Judiths memoir is both a history lesson on disability rights activism in the United States and an intimate storytelling of her life from childhood to present. It is her story, but also the story of the history, movement, and future of disability justice.

Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Edited by Alice Wong

In time for the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, activist Alice Wong brings together a collection of personal essays by contemporary disabled writers.

From original pieces by up-and-coming authors like Keah Brown and Haben Girma, to blog posts, manifestos, eulogies, testimonies to Congress, and beyond: this anthology gives a glimpse of the vast richness and complexity of the disabled experience, highlighting the passions, talents, and everyday lives of this community. It invites readers to question their own assumptions and understandings. It celebrates and documents disability culture in the now. It looks to the future and past with hope and love.

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didnt commit. The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal brinksmanshipand transformed his understanding of mercy and justice forever.

Just Mercy is an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyers coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice.

Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller

Know My Nameis aNew York Timesbestseller and the winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography. In it, Miller challenges her depiction in the media as the anonymous "Emily Doe," who survived a Stanford undergraduate student's sexual assault in 2015. In her memoir, Miller reclaims the public narrative about her and asserts her full humanity while critiquing the criminal justice system and the treatment of sexual assault victims in the United States.

The Little Bach Book by David Gordon

The Little Bach Book is not a comprehensive biography of J. S. Bach but a collection of curious facts and observations about his life and the times in which he lived. It is light and fun reading for those who love the music of J. S. Bach but dont know much about him.

The Wizard and the Prophet by Charles C. Mann

This book looks into the future: How should we approach keeping earth livable for humans and the other organisms we share the planet with?Wizards rely on technology to help us, and prophets urge us to reduce the resources that we use.Few believe only one solution is the answer, but while complex answers are often correct, they do not always make for compelling arguments.We find people often arguing from one of these perspectives, maybe not recognizing the history behind them or the implications that they entail.So let's delve into these two seemingly opposed approaches to our future, understand their background, see how they have impacted us thus far, and try to discern what we should do moving forward.

Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck

In September 1960, John Steinbeck embarked on a journey across America. He felt that he might have lost touch with the country, with its speech, the smell of its grass and trees, its color and quality of light, the pulse of its people. To reassure himself, he set out on a voyage of rediscovery of the American identity, accompanied by a distinguished French poodle named Charley; and riding in a three-quarter-ton pickup truck named Rocinante. His course took him through almost forty states.

This bookis an intimate look at one of America's most beloved writers in the later years of his lifea self-portrait of a man who never wrote an explicit autobiography. Written during a time of upheaval and racial tension in the Southwhich Steinbeck witnessed firsthanditis a stunning evocation of America on the eve of a tumultuous decade.

Eligible for Execution: The Story of the Daryl Atkins Case by Thomas G. Walker

On August 16, 1996, 18-year-old Daryl Atkins was involved, along with a co-defendant, in the murder of Eric Nesbitt, a young naval mechanic stationed in Virginia. Found guilty and then sentenced to death in 1998, Atkinss case was taken up in 2002 by the Supreme Court of the United States. The issue before the justices: given Daryl Atkinss reported intellectual disability, would his execution constitute cruel and unusual punishment? Their 63 vote said yes.

Despite the SCOTUS ruling, Daryl Atkinss situation was far from being resolved. The determination that Atkins actually had an intellectual disability, under Virginia law, occurred a few years latera process in which I (Jim Patton) was involved. Eligible for Execution gives readers a front row seat into the twists of the judicial process while addressing how disability, race, and other issues play into societys evolving view of the death penalty. Personal reflections, as an insider to a part of Atkins judicial process, will be shared.

Enlightenment Now:The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress by Steven Pinker

This book makes the argument that on every possible front, from health to education to equality, and even the environment, things have never been better, a lot better.A lot of historical data is offered up in supportfor example, world-wide life expectancyis 71, a number probably far higher than you might think, given the pessimistic nature of the media and humankinds need to focus on the negative.Pinker argues that instead of being so negative, we should spend our time celebrating reason, the science it has produced, and the progress that has been realized because of it.

Of course Pinker wrote this book unaware of the current pandemic, but I would imagine he would argue this moment in time is just a blip on a time-scale in which the world will continue to thrive and improve, with science once again carrying the day.Do you agree?

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, they rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.

Then, one by one, the Osage began to die...under mysterious circumstances.

In this last remnant of the Wild Westwhere oilmen like J. P. Getty made their fortunes and where desperadoes like Al Spencer, the Phantom Terror, roamedmany of those who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered. As the death toll climbed to more than twenty-four, the FBI took up the case. It was one of the organizations first major homicide investigations.

In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann revisits a shocking series of crimes in which dozens of people were murdered in cold blood. Based on years of research and startling new evidence, the book is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, as each step in the investigation reveals a series of sinister secrets and reversals.

Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad

One of the most frequently asked questions after a talk or training focused on racism is, "What can I do about it?" Robin DiAngelo often pushes back with another question, "How is it that you've managed to not know?"

In an information overloaded world, the question of what to do to undo racism still looms large because it's not just about external information, but about knowledge of self.

Layla F. Saad's work began as an Instagram challenge, and after thousands of challenge participants and downloads of her Me and White Supremacy Workbook, her most recent book carries that work forward by teaching readers to understand their privilege and participation in white supremacy using a step-by-step self-reflection process. This reflection is a necessary prerequisite to figuring out "what to do" about racism. After all, "You cannot dismantle what you cannot see. You cannot challenge what you do not understand." -Layla F. Saad

The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus by Richard Preston

The bestselling landmark account of the first emergence of the Ebola virus. A highly infectious, deadly virus from the central African rain forest suddenly appears in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. There is no cure. In a few days 90 percent of its victims are dead. A secret military SWAT team of soldiers and scientists is mobilized to stop the outbreak of this exotic "hot" virus.

Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

During the height of the Great Depression, nine working-class college students on the University of Washington varsity crew team set off to do the impossible: defeat the German rowing team in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It's one of those stories that I intentionally slowed my reading pace to savor every minute of it! (And, if you aren't knowledgeable about rowing, that's OK. But, I was surprised to find a new interest in the sport after reading this.) It is a compelling account of how these all-American underdogs beat the odds and found hope in the most desperate of times.

Christmas: A Candid History by Bruce David Forbes

Whether you love Christmas, hate Christmas, or have very mixed feelings about it, Christmas is an extremely strange holiday with a fascinating history. From reading this book and discussing it with Religious Studies professor Brent Landau, you'll learn: how Santa can squeeze down a chimney; why the Puritans banned Christmas; whether Jesus was really born in Bethlehem; and much more!

Icebound by Andrea Pitzer

Icebound is a narrative non-fiction account of Dutch explorer William Barents third expedition in the sixteenth century off the frozen coast of Nova Zembla.This is a great piece of reportage and writing for students interested in history, literary non-fiction, journalistic narrative, expedition tales and good, old-fashioned survival stories.

Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed

A penetrating, acutely insightful, memoir and historical analysis of the importance of Juneteenth from the eminent Harvard University Professor and Pulitzer Prize Winner and Texas native Dr. Annette Gordon-Reed. This is a must read for those interested in Texas History and how that history intersects and, at times collides, with Black, LatinX, and Native American and indigenous histories. A must read for our students at UT especially.

Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP by Sarah Schulman

ACT UP, New York, a broad and unlikely coalition of activists from all races, genders, sexualities, and backgrounds, changed the world. Armed with rancor, desperation, intelligence, and creativity, it took on the AIDS crisis with an indefatigable, ingenious, and multifaceted attack on the corporations, institutions, governments, and individuals who stood in the way of AIDS treatment for all. Twenty years in the making, this book is a comprehensive political history of ACT UP and American AIDS activism. Discussion will focus on excerpts from this extensive book.

Letters to My White Male Friends by Dax-Devlon Ross

Note: The book is available for pre-order until its release date of June 15. The author will join us during our discussion session.

This book speaks directly to the millions of middle-aged white men who are suddenly awakening to race and racism. White men are finally realizing that simply not being racist isn't enough to end racism. These men want deeper insight not only into how racism has harmed Black people, but, for the first time, into how it has harmed them. They are beginning to see that racism warps us all. This book promises to help men who have said they are committed to change and to develop the capacity to see, feel and sustain that commitment so they can help secure racial justice for us all.

Ross helps readers understand what it meant to be America's first generation raised after the civil rights era. He explains how we were all educated with colorblind narratives and symbols that typically, albeit implicitly, privileged whiteness and denigrated Blackness. He provides the context and color of his own experiences in white schools so that white men can revisit moments in their lives where racism was in the room even when they didn't see it enter. Ross shows how learning to see the harm that racism did to him, and forgiving himself, gave him the empathy to see the harm it does to white people as well. Ultimately, Ross offers white men direction so that they can take just action in their workplace, community, family, and, most importantly, in themselves, especially in the future when race is no longer in the spotlight.

Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder

As the worst days of the pandemic seem to be behind us, eviction moratoria will be lifted and hundreds of thousands of Americans will be houseless. In the meantime, many working Americans find themselves priced out of the housing market and unable to replicate the life of their childhood. In Austin, we have seen this issue play out in the debate about public camping and the current policy to ban it. The combination of low wages and high housing costs has created a class of Americans we might call nomads.

Transient older Americans have taken to the road by the tens of thousands in RVs, travel trailers, and vans, forming a growing community of nomads. Finding that social security comes up short and often underwater on mortgages, these nomads make up a new, low-cost labor pool for employers.

In a secondhand vehicle she christens Van Halen, Bruder hits the road to get to know her subjects more intimately. Accompanying her subjects from campground toilet cleaning to warehouse product scanning to desert reunions, Bruder tells a compelling, eye-opening tale of the dark underbelly of the American economyone that foreshadows the precarious future that may await many more of us. At the same time, she celebrates the exceptional resilience and creativity of Americans who have given up ordinary rootedness to survive.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

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A Texas-Sized Reading List 2021 - UT News - UT News - UT News - UT News | The University of Texas at Austin

You cant read the news without seeing another story about a ransomware attack and its consequences, like lines of bumper-to-bumper cars waiting for gas after the Colonial Pipeline attack. Just weeks ago, JBS, one of the worlds largest meat processors temporarily closed its American plants and paid hackers $11 million, an excruciating decision the company felt was necessary to preserve the data integrity of its operations and its customers. You likely read these stories on your phone, a personal computing device that is another highly attractive target for attackers.

As bad actors increasingly seek to compromise our privacy and security through cracks in the internet, what power do we have to stop them?

In May, the Center for Cybersecurity Policy and Law, a nonprofit dedicated to developing sound cybersecurity and related technology public policy, addressed this question in a discussion paper titled, Mobile Future: Pathways to Continued Improvement in Mobile Security and Privacy. As a former colleague once said, cybersecurity is a team sport, and this paper is a true reflection of that objective.

The Center convened top experts from industry, research and academic institutions, civil society, and current and former government officials to discuss mobile security and the policies that would best protect the privacy of mobile apps, the app stores that support them and, of course, the end users who have seamlessly integrated these apps on their devices and their daily lives.

While cybersecurity experts struggle to keep pace with ever-evolving threats such as nation states exploiting vulnerabilities to threaten critical infrastructure, mobile security has improved. Take for example the iPhone. The App Store has spurred a vast app-based economy of more than 2 million software applications, available for instant download directly onto users smartphones. All iPhones are built with automatic end-to-end encryption to defend against hacking, and the App Store conducts extensive machine and human review to filter out misleading software. Consumer-focused decisions that protect them against risk are part of the reason why smartphones like the iPhone are now in the hands of almost 70 percent of the global population, according to data from 2019.

Building mobile platforms and apps with security and privacy in mind is the best way to reduce risk to users from the outset. Consumers are loyal to the brands they trust, and where technology is involved, to the devices they trust. The most successful app stores are dedicated to building secure ecosystems for mobile devices, contributing to their exponential global adoption. For example, advances in automated scanning tools have significantly reduced the number of malicious apps on major app stores. Having one central distribution point for software also filters out nefarious or manipulative apps.

As technology has advanced, security threats and corresponding attacks have also become more sophisticated. Many in the mobile industry already understand that most users cannot defend themselves effectively. Speaking at a conference in June, Apples Chief Privacy Officer Jane Horvath said the companys focus is on making privacy something that consumers do not have to worry about. Weve made it so its part of the consumer experience, she said, using the automatic encryption of iPhones as an example. Users simply set a passcode; the rest is done for them.

The risks to connected devices are as complex as the technology itself. It is therefore unrealistic to expect millions of users to fully understand the layers of security involved in their own protection, despite their importance.

Unfortunately, in their hurry to produce results and protect constituents, well-intentioned lawmakers risk unraveling the progress that industry experts have made in the privacy space.

Policies aimed at competition are venturing into dangerous territory by mandating open operating systems, where users can download third-party software that has not been reviewed, a process known as sideloading. This practice selectively ignores clear evidence that the majority of malware on mobile devices stems from third-party sources that do not perform security checks of applications.

Simply put: Any discussion of sideloading or app store competition must account for the potential risks to users privacy and security.

It is more important than ever that the public and private sector unite to reinforce security barriers to prevent cybersecurity threats. Policymakers should avoid inadvertently weakening existing protections. The security tools on the mobile devices and applications we have come to depend on can serve as a reliable roadmap, helping to make the internet a safer resource for our mobile future.

Megan Stifel is global policy officer at the Global Cyber Alliance. For over two decades she has worked at the intersection of technology and national security, having previously served at the White House as cybersecurity adviser to the National Security Council and at the U.S. Department of Justice as director for cyber policy in the national security division and as counsel in the criminal divisions computer crime and intellectual property section.

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Well intentioned lawmakers risk weakening existing digital security protections | TheHill - The Hill