Closing the Gap Between Developed and Developing Worlds

In an interesting Ted talk by Hans Rosling, a Swedish medical doctor and statistician, Rosling observes and analyzes the family size, life expectancy, and the separation between first world countries and the developing world—starting from 1962.  Initial observation of the data captured by the United Nations showed how first world families tended to have longer lives with smaller families, whereas developing countries had relatively shorter lives with a larger family. As Rosling ascends through the years into 2003, the developing countries race to close the gap between the two worlds—becoming almost unified with the first world countries in family size and life expectancy. The data analysis ultimately shows a tight relationship connecting the rise in global health and the change in societal and economic values within a country. Watch the video here.

Convergence Continues to Provide Product Compliance—Prevents Big Fines

convergence consulting provides compliance support to one of the largest retailers in North America for the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) product compliance.  Products that make claims around control of germs, such as antimicrobial, mildew or mold resistant, or antibacterial as well as many other claims are regulated by US EPA.  If products fail to meet the federal or State regulatory requirements regarding use of the claims, it is the retailer or distributor that often faces the fines.

Taking Advantage of Increasing Green Bonds

Green bonds are fixed income, liquid financial instruments that are used to raise funds dedicated to climate-mitigation, adaptation, and other environment-friendly projects. According to the international Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), $27.3 billion dollars has already been issued in 2016 for projects supporting environmental sustainability—alongside the $41.8 billion that had been issued in 2015. One of the key drivers of the market is the growing number of asset managers with mandates to increase investment in instruments that support low-carbon growth. World Bank Group Vice President, Rachel Kyte, has proclaimed that these green bonds “are providing green investment opportunity for an ever wider investor group, including those who wish to divest and diversify from fossil fuel-intensive portfolios, and they have proven that a stream of investor capital exists for green assets.” The benefits of these projects can be measured both in the benefits to society and in the reduction of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Proceeds from these bonds are earmarked for green projects but are backed by the issuer’s entire balance sheet. Read more here.