How have the experiences, representation, and recognition of women in the military transformed, a century after the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? As Brookings President and retired Marine Corps General John Allen has pointed out, at times, the U.S. military has been one of America’s most progressive institutions, as with racial…

The lack of diversity in the field of economics – in addition to the lack of progress relative to other STEM fields – is drawing increasing attention in the profession, but nearly all the focus has been on economists at academic institutions, and little attention has been devoted to the diversity of the economists employed…

Africa needs a digital transformation for faster economic growth and job creation. The World Bank estimates that reaching the African Union’s goal of universal and affordable internet coverage will increase GDP growth in Africa by 2 percentage points per year. Also, the probability of employment—regardless of education level—increases by 6.9 to 13.2 percent when fast…

Why are Americans so angry with each other? The United States is caught in a partisan hyperconflict that divides politicians, communities—and even families. Politicians from the president to state and local office-holders play to strongly-held beliefs and sometimes even pour fuel on the resulting inferno. This polarization has become so intense that many people no…

Executive summary The doctrine of nationalism will continue eroding Europe’s integration until its hidden cause is recognized and addressed. In order to do so, Europe’s policymakers must acknowledge a new, powerful, and pervasive factor of social and political change: divergence within countries, sectors, jobs, or local communities. The popularity of the nationalist rhetoric should not…

President Bush has proposed adding optional personal accounts as one of the central elements of a major Social Security reform proposal. Although many details remain to be worked out, the proposal would allow individuals who choose to do so to divert part of the money they currently pay in Social Security taxes into individual investment…

Executive Summary Efforts by President George W. Bush to promote major reforms in the Social Security retirement program have not led to policy change, but rather to increased polarization between the two parties. And the longer we wait to address Social Security’s long-term funding problem, the bigger and more painful the changes will need to…

Issues of despair in the United States are diverse, widespread, and politically fueled, ranging from concentrated poverty and crime in cities to the opioid crisis plaguing poor rural towns. Local leaders and actors in disconnected communities need public policy resources and inputs beyond what has traditionally been available. Scholars at Brookings and Washington University in…

The “brain drain” caused by current immigration laws discourages foreign students who’ve obtained a degree in the United States from remaining here to pursue employment or entrepreneurial opportunities, and in the process enhance U.S. growth and competitiveness. Finding common ground on immigration reform is a challenge in today’s polarized political atmosphere, and the need for…

Earlier this month, Iran further expanded its nuclear enrichment program, taking another step away from the nuclear accord it had signed with world powers in July 2015. Since President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the accord, on May 2018, and re-imposed U.S. sanctions, Iran’s economy has lost nearly 10 percent of its output. Although the…

Once thought of as pillars of monogamy in the animal kingdom, it appears the flame of love can burn out for swans as well. For the first time in 40 years, after following some 4 thousand swans at a reserve in the UK, researchers discovered one formerly

It is fitting that Slow Food has a prominent place at the World’s fair, which this year is hosted in Italy and promises to explore the topic of feeding the growing global population.

While preservation of the planet's dwindling biodiversity itself has rightly grabbed the headlines at the ongoing Convention on Biological Diversity in Japan, Science Insider points out an important geoengineering

You never know what climate you may end up in...

You can see these magnificent photo portraits of Londoners on a wall or on the web.

" It is an idea upon which our planet’s future depends."

Tar sands and thermal coal are out but natural gas and conventional oil can stay. For now...

In the grand scheme of things, $5.9 million is not a huge amount to take from fossil fuels. But when you reinvest in renewables...

The head of a cooperative of honey harvesters, a park guide, and a doctor who uses a garden of medicinal plants to treat asthma and other ailments are

The unusual concert was held in the depths of the Florida Reef to promote coral reef protection.

Populist leaders are more interested in cutting the price of gas than they are in stopping climate change.

Oil and gas companies have until 2023 to make 'Paris compatible' plans, or face divestment.

Abandoned fishing gear is a big problem. But a small army is training to tackle it.

Mohamed Nasheed says his conviction is a foregone conclusion.

Klein, author of 'This Changes Everything,' launched the Leap Manifesto at the Toronto International Film Festival. Read and sign it here to join the call for a more sustainable and equitable future.

Changes closer to home would be nice too.

Climate change is already killing people around the world. Now the British Medical Association has vowed to do something about it.

The motion is non-binding, but that doesn't mean it doesn't matter.

Yet another sign that the oil industry is facing significant headwinds.

This is beginning to get real.

Nippon Life Insurance will become first major Japanese institutional investor to ditch coal.

Inspired by massive flooding in the UK, the Church of England is renewing its commitment to fighting climate change. And that's sending a signal to the markets.

Fossil fuel divestment is a moral issue. Religious institutions appear to be taking a stand.

Great cities know the future is renewable.

And we thought it was all about symbolism...

Architects all over the world should be doing this too.

The Center for Food Safety's recently launched network is a bid to preserve global plant biodiversity and work toward food security around the globe.

You are not alone. Even when you are...

This is turning into a really big bandwagon.

This small apartment's 'library wall' functions as a way to keep the bed out of view, while also storing books and things.

This 598-square-foot model home is one of the almost two dozen homes that are slated to go up as part of a tiny house community.

New research, backed by conservation groups in the UK, suggest solar farms may offer opportunities for a more biodiverse countryside.

The bath and body goodies hail from my hometown in Connecticut, handmade in small batches making it a pretty local treat for anyone in the NYC metro-area.

Another good reason to move to Colorado.

A toilet is just the working end of a much larger system that can have a huge impact on society.