Green jobs now employ 10x more people than fossil fuel

The green market is growing exponentially. But will the U.S. seize the economic opportunity?

Photo credit: aaaaimages / Getty Images
  • The United States green economy now employs 10 times more people than the fossil fuel industry, providing nearly 9.5 million jobs.
  • In the face of a global climate catastrophe, the green economy is destined to keep rising at an exponential rate over the next decade.
  • Rather than seize this golden economic opportunity, the Trump administration has promised to protect coal and mining jobs while eviscerating funds from green energy.
Keep reading Show less
energy finance future innovation investment solar energy technology wind energy economics alternative energy

Can we afford to live longer?

We're living longer than ever, but few of us will save enough to afford this historical boon.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
  • A person reaching 65 today can expect to live into their mid-80s, many into their 90s.
  • A 30-year retirement requires a nest egg of more than $1 million, yet 77 percent of American households fall short of such savings and investments.
  • Experts recommend several strategies for affording a longer life, such as pushing the retirement age back to at least 70.
Keep reading Show less
finance goal-setting happiness health investment life money security work-life balance

Why making a real warp drive is possible

Recent advances indicate that the idea could work.

Image source: Juergen Faelchle/Leonardo B. Martins/Shutterstock/Big Think
  • Piggybacking on warp bubbles could get around Einstein's limitations for faster-than-light travel.
  • Recent advances make this discarded idea look suddenly less laughable.
  • Compressing and stretching space time may be the key.
Keep reading Show less
space travel cosmos future physics investment

You can crowdsource innovation. Here’s how Lumina does it.

What are the best ideas out there to innovate our rapidly changing education system? The Lumina Foundation has partnered with Big Think to find them.

  • The conventional model of innovation involves piloting a product, scaling it, and then mainstreaming it.
  • However, the Lumina Foundation believes that this model won't work quite so well for education: Instead, rapidly prototyping and iterating different ideas is the likely the best way to create a more equitable education system for our rapidly changing society.
  • That's why the Lumina Foundation is partnering with entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to improve our education system through Lumina Impact Ventures, and why Big Think is helping them find the best ideas about the future of learning and work.
  • You can see the winners of the Lumina Prize here - congratulations to PeerForward and Greater Commons!
Keep reading Show less
education entrepreneur social change investment start-up innovation

New study uncovers China's massive hidden lending to poor countries

New report shows the extent of China's hidden power as the developing world's creditor.

live.staticflickr.com
  • Over 50 developing countries' Chinese debt accounts for on average 15 percent of their individual GDP.
  • New report shows that the majority of the world's developing country's debt to China is considered "hidden."
  • China's loans for poor countries are primarily for crucial infrastructure.
Keep reading Show less
globalization china investment africa economics politics