The nature and money – both we cannot live without. Which do you think weighs heavier than the other? Currently, the world generally are opting for the latter when it comes to their policies. Not many countries are willing to sacrifice their economic output to exchange for a better and stabler environment for our next generations.

However, people may start changing their ground after reading the Fifth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It states that “There are six estimates for expected impacts of warming at 3°C or above, with a median estimated impact of a 3.6 percent reduction in global GDP for 3–4.9°C of warming.” 

At present, people are being relatively short-sighted – just paying attention to short-term benefits and exploiting the right to use of our future generations, which is not sustainable at all. They neglect that in fact achieve sustainability is actually a mean to sustain their business and economy as well. The study well illustrates the situation. If the world keep let warming worsens, it is revealed that more unpredictable diseases and catastrophe like coastal flooding will be approaching. As a result, the overall long term productivity will generally decline at a certain point.

It is hoped that people should think further, rather than just themselves. Reducing carbon emission does not just benefit the environment, but also is proved to achieve economic sustainability.

Reference: http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2015/09/climate-change

Due to rapid population growth, the global property market prices have been increasing a lot among these decades. And Canada is no exception. The high demand to housing leads to an overvalue of 35% of Canadian properties, according to the study of housing costs around the world by the Economist Magazine in August.

Two major reasons will be accounted for the surging property price, huge demand from overseas and weak global economy. First, the insatiable demand from both the local and oversea market. Canada is popular among Asians and other nationalities to move in in the past few decades. And of course, there is natural population growth in Canada. These create a great demand towards Canadian housing. As a result,  general price of properties increases. Another noteworthy point is the demand for housing is relatively inelastic, which means the percentage change in price creates a smaller percentage change in demand.

Second, a weak global economy contributes to higher property prices because it leads to a “ultra-loose” monetary policy. At the present, interest rate is reduced to historic lows, which encourages people to borrow mortgage loans and purchase housing. Some may purchase housing for residence. Yet some may purchase for speculation. Both action boost the demand for housing, meanwhile raising prices.

Although the risk of housing asset is relatively low compared to other financial assets, people should always look out for a blast of property bubble due to the too-high property price level, which is unpredictable.

Reference: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canadian-house-prices-35-overvalued-economist-magazine-says-1.3040698

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/house-prices-may-stay-high-in-canada-here-s-why-1.3095421

Gender Equality has always been a hot issue in the Globe, particularly in less developed countries such as India, where women status is low. In these countries, women usually perform care work such as taking care children and the elderly, and housework. However, these unpaid works are not calculated in GDP, a measure of output that excludes unwaged work.

It is clear in our minds that these women’s unpaid efforts contribute a great betterment to our society. And in fact, once these efforts are paid, “world can be a much richer place”, according to a new report from the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI). Studies state that countries can in fact boost the economy by 5-20% if women’s participation in paid jobs is on a par with men’s. Traditionally, people may have a perception that women are less productive and diligent than men. This study has overthrown the general impression such as weak and ineffective towards women.

Achieving gender equality is a mean of achieving civilization. Everyone benefits from an equal and courteous society, particularly women in less developed countries. Better still, studies have proved an increasing women’s participation can lead to a boost in our economy. It is hoped that this study can be a crucial step to encourage employers employing women regarding their abilities, but not gender.

Reference: http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21667949-world-would-be-much-richer-place-if-more-women-had-paying-jobs-power