Old Problems, New Approaches

The majority of our material this week is focused on questions of climate action, but this collection also tells a bigger story. How do we highlight what works and what could be improved? How do we talk about the topics and ideas that need to be discussed, in ways that people will hear? How do we find innovative approaches to difficult problems while recognizing the social and political realities in which we all live?

And is it time to consider new approaches to old problems?

Spotlight: Pioneering Sustainability Innovations with Dr. Mark Steen of Corning Incorporated

At 康宁公司 , how does this storied company work to drive both internal progress and priorities while also enabling their customers to meet their own goals and opportunities? In this in-depth interview with John Shegerian, Corning’s Vice President of Sustainability and Climate Initiatives Mark Steen discusses the ways in which sustainability drives growth.

“When we go out and we talk to customers, we start saying, hey what are your sustainability goals? What are you trying to do? What are the opportunities that you see in the world? How can we help enable that? What are the innovations that are going to help create those products you want to make? And there’s a bunch of them.”

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News Roundup

1. How Republicans (Sometimes) Get on Board With Climate Action?(Grist: Kate Yoder ) What forms of climate action muster bipartisan support? (also see Inflation Reduction Act Repeal Would Hand Billions to America’s Economic Competitors?and China Is Racing Towards a Future Powered by Wind and Solar)
2. Mississippi River Towns Pilot New Insurance Model to Help With Disaster Response?(Tennessee Lookout: Delaney Dryfoos , Eric D. Schmid ) The number and intensity of disaster events means strain on communities and insurers alike. How is one partnership working on ways to rethink traditional insurance programs? (also see Andy Hoffman ’s Americans Face an Insurability Crisis as Climate Change Worsens Disasters)
3. COP29 Struggles to Crack Climate Finance Puzzle?(Semafor: Tim McDonnell ) Money is one obvious stumbling block. What are others? (also see Climate Entropy: Reflections on the Ground From COP29)
4. “Climate Change” Can Turn Off Some Farmers. So These Scientists Are Using Another Two-Word Phrase?(The Ohio Newsroom: Kendall Crawford ) Farmers are key to regenerative agricultural practices. If they’re open to innovation, does it matter if they’re not motivated by climate change?
5. Nuclear Power Was Once Shunned at Climate Talks. Now, It’s a Rising Star.?(The New York Times: Brad Plumer )?What does it mean that this once unwelcome party crasher is now the belle of the ball? (gift article)
6. The U.S. Election Is a Setback for Climate Action, but the Private Sector Gives Me Hope?(Reuters:? Mindy Lubber ) “As leading companies and investors have been saying, and showing, for years and years now, good climate policy makes for good economic policy.” Despite shifting political winds, is there good news on climate?

Also on Our Radar

What else caught our attention this week?

• What are the?risks of a deregulatory environment for long-term investors, and how can?we push back against market failures?
• How Bluesky, Alternative to X and Facebook, Is Handling Growth
• Trump loves tariffs. Will the rest of America?
• They make connections between teens and older adults. Everybody wins

One for the Road

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— The Business & Society Navigators

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Founded in 1998, the?Aspen Institute Business & Society Program?works to align business decisions and investments with the long-term health of society—and the planet.