Energy & Utilities

Today is World Malaria Day, when we pause and recognize global efforts to eradicate a disease that has plagued humanity throughout recorded history. This year brings us one step closer to eradicating a disease that in 2010 alone afflicted an estimated 216 million people worldwide – roughly the equivalent of the adult population of the United States – and annually accounts for 10% of the world’s disease burden (World Health Organization). In 2010 malaria took the lives of an estimated 655,000 people, most of whom were under age five and living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Offering a respite from the emotionally charged screaming matches that lately define dialogue on environmental issues, the GreenBiz VERGE Conference provided practical solutions and tangible goals for companies interested in embracing environmental leadership as a source of competitive advantage. I had the opportunity to attend this unique conference last week, which sought to dive into the convergence of energy, information, building, and transportation technologies.

Half a world away from where I sit today, 70% of the population lives in poverty in Nigeria’s nine-state Niger Delta region. Of the 30 million people who live in this mostly rural area, 62% are younger than age 30. As one of the world’s most complex international development challenges, the Niger Delta has been traditionally characterized by conflict and instability.

But today, it begins to serve as a case study of how the private sector can be a critical partner in community transformation.

This World AIDS Day, more than others in recent years past, is significant.

2011 marked the 30^th anniversary of the first diagnosis of the disease that would come to be known as AIDS in the United States. Since that time, we’ve made great strides to end the spread of the epidemic, yet both domestically and abroad, HIV/AIDS diagnoses continue.

By Andrew Mack, Principal of AMGlobal Consulting. "CSR+Tech" is AMGlobal's monthly column on BCLCblog.

If someone asks you “what’s next” in CSR around the world, there are many potential answers, but nearly all of them have one thing in common – an increased focus on technology.

Companies that want to have a truly powerful (and sustainable) impact are increasingly using technology as a multiplier and a way to address traditional CSR bottlenecks, such as cost and skilled personnel.