News

Tsunami Triggers Tidal Waves in Japan

Yesterday, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale rattled the coast of Japan in the vicinity of where a 9.1 quake had struck almost six years ago. The power of the 9.1 quake generated 30 to 60 foot tsunamis, overwhelming Japan’s extensive sea walls and shore protections, killing over 15,000 people, leaving 225,000 homeless and causing an accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Yesterday’s tsunamis reached just under 5 feet and caused minor injuries to a dozen or so people. The difference in impact results from the fact that the 2011 earthquake was roughy 1,000 times the power of yesterday’s earthquake, as quakes are measured on a logarithmic scale. Nevertheless, for the survivors of the 2011 tsunami, yesterday must have triggered a strong emotional response, particularly for those who had lost loved ones. Even seemingly “minor” hazards, such as yesterday’s quake, can have profound consequences. And it is worth considering how a similar event could be devastating for another locale – Japan is exceptionally well prepared for such hazards. Few countries can match its disaster risk reduction efforts.

By Donna | November 22, 2016 | Earthquake |

Insurance Policy Benefits Haiti

Instead of waiting for aid to trickle down, Haiti received an immediate disbursement of $23 million from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF). The payment was due under a tropical cyclone policy the CCRIF had issued to Haiti back in 2009. While the country still waits for the emergency funds requested by the United Nations, the CCRIF claims payment allowed the Haitian government to pay emergency personnel, keeping essential government functions operational at a critical time.

By Donna | November 21, 2016 | Hurricanes |

Art Thinking

The reading for this weekend is Art Thinking, a guide to creativity written by Amy Whitaker, an entrepreneur-in-residence who holds both an MBA and an MFA. The book addresses the challenges of trying to develop big picture thinking while dealing with the smaller details our daily schedules demand. The genesis of our interest in these ideas was our work at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). While the business types in our group were nervous about having to draw in order to express our ideas visually, it soon became apparent that art is a form of entrepreneurship. The artists and the entrepreneur are both trying to bring a vision to life, and often have to do so with little or no resources. So we set aside the fear of appearing foolish with our awkward drawings and make our best attempt, knowing that successive refinements will bring us closer to our goals. RISD was an early advocate for STEAM (that is, STEM, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics + Art), arising from their belief that bringing creative minds from the studio and liberal arts worlds together with scientists and technologists will broaden conversations and generate more innovative ideas. This book promises to accomplish that goal.

By Donna | November 20, 2016 | Book |

Low Carbon USA

Today is the last day of the Marrakech Climate Conference where the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, also known as the Paris agreement, takes place. The agenda focuses on financing the transition to a low-carbon economy to reach the targets agreed upon in Paris last year. In support of that work, leaders of more than 100 U.S. companies, including Prisere LLC, signed a letter addressed to President Obama, President-Elect Trump, the U.S. Congress and global leaders participating in the Marrakech conference to reaffirm our deep commitment to addressing climate change through implementation of the historic Paris agreement. The letter will appear in its entirety in U.S. business news media as well as online to underscore that addressing climate impacts is a top priority for U.S. businesses. We want the US economy to be energy efficient and powered by low-carbon energy. Cost-effective and innovative solutions can help us achieve these objectives. Failure to build a low-carbon economy puts American prosperity at risk. But the right action now will create jobs and boost US competitiveness. We pledge to do our part, in our own operations and beyond, to realize the Paris Agreement’s commitment of a global economy that limits global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius. Specifically, we call for:

Continuation of low-carbon policies to allow the US to meet or exceed our promised national commitment and to increase our nation’s future ambition;
Investment in the low carbon economy at home and abroad in order to give financial decision-makers clarity and boost the confidence of investors worldwide; and
Continued US participation in the Paris Agreement, in order to provide the long-term direction needed to keep global temperature rise below 2°C.

Implementing the Paris Agreement will enable and encourage businesses and investors to turn the billions of dollars in existing low-carbon investments into the trillions of dollars the world needs to bring clean energy and prosperity to all.

By Donna | November 18, 2016 | Paris Climate Agreement |

Hurricane Matthew Motivates Preparedness

Hurricane Matthew is the most expensive Atlantic hurricane since Superstorm Sandy, which struck the East Coast four years ago. FM Global, a leading property insurer, conducted a survey to determine if the hurricanes motivated businesses to re-think their approaches to preparing for natural disasters. The survey found that 28 percent of employees from Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas report that their employers are increasing investment in preparedness for natural disasters like hurricanes. Survey respondents also said that Hurricane Matthew interrupted normal business operations and 26 percent of employees said their companies lost customers or orders as a result of the storm. With just over one out of four affected businesses losing customers or business as a result of the storm, we cannot afford not to prepare.

By Donna | November 17, 2016 | Hurricanes |