Francesco Bassetti, Author at Foresight

Climate issues at the UN General Assembly

From deadly flooding in Pakistan to the energy crisis and climate justice, the 77th session of the UN General Assembly will have to face climate issues notwithstanding the overarching shadow of war.

The climate stories stored in trees

What does uncovering the mysteries surrounding sunken ships have in common with understanding our climate? Both involve looking at tree cores and studying the historical archives contained within their inner rings. Dendrochronology, literally the study of tree time, offers a view into the past that provides vital information about our present and future.

Solving the energy crisis with renewables

With the price of crude oil reaching its highest level in over a decade and the cost of natural gas skyrocketing, policymakers are faced with a choice: double down on fossil fuels or add urgency to the clean energy transition? Although most agree investing in renewables is the more logical solution, others are pushing for fossil fuel infrastructure, potentially locking the world into “irreversible warming” and creating a mass of stranded assets.

Methane: A key to unlocking the climate crisis

Scientists, experts, and policymakers: the eyes of the world are turning towards methane, a potent greenhouse gas the mitigation of which is one of the single most effective short-term actions for fighting climate change. What avenues are open for implementing effective strategies? Analysts and researchers weigh in on the international debate.

Carbon border adjustments

As countries implement measures to curb emissions they are also looking to protect local industry players from unfair competition and ensure that emissions aren’t simply shifted outside of their jurisdiction. Carbon border adjustments use levies and rebates to do just that. How do they work and why are they contentious?

Bringing data driven stories to life with Zack Labe

“Think outside the box and set aside any pre-set model for climate change communication.” A conversation with climate scientist and storyteller Zack Labe, who is giving a growing and ever-more active Twitter audience direct access to climate change data and research through compelling visualizations.

The “hot model” problem: From democracy to meritocracy

The latest generation of climate models that predict future temperatures and their impacts present what some researchers have defined as the “hot model problem”. The solution may be to shift from model democracy to model meritocracy.

Heatwaves or the new normal? Global media analyses and reactions

Record-breaking temperatures in Europe, heat advisory in the US, and peaks in electricity consumption in China. Media outlets and climate change communicators across the world are pointing to links between the ongoing heatwaves and climate change, just as researchers are working to make the science behind extreme weather attribution more robust.

Vulnerable giants: Mountain tourism at a turning point

A mix of high-resolution data, advanced research, participative interactions with local communities and supporting natural and spiritual heritage. This is the starting point to design resilience strategies and plan more sustainable solutions for mountain tourism, a sector that accounts for 15-20% of global tourism.

Andrew Winston: Net positive business for a net zero future

In a low carbon future, businesses that profit from solving the world’s problems, rather than causing them, will play a central role. Co-author of the Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year “Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take”, Andrew Winston, explains the win-win formula for people, planet and profits.

Interwoven crises at the World Economic Forum

Environmental, Social, and Governance, carbon markets and unfolding global crises were at the core of the agenda as leaders juggled priorities whilst looking at the role of science in future policy decisions. Foresight’s collection of key contributions, commentaries and media takeaways from Davos.

Lee McIntyre on science in the post-truth era: Lies, facts and deniers

From vaccine skeptics to climate change deniers, acclaimed author Lee McIntyre, walks us through “How to Talk to a Science Denier”: because climate denial is not an accident, it is a lie fed with disinformation. Yet, there is a solution: engage in constructive conversations.

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Francesco Bassetti

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