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Innovation

Watch Amory Lovins’ “A 50-year plan for energy” talk at TED

In this intimate talk filmed at TED’s offices, energy theorist Amory Lovins lays out the steps we must take to end the world’s dependence on oil (before we run out). Some changes are already happening — like lighter-weight cars and smarter trucks — but some require a bigger vision […]

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Design Economics Innovation Trend Watching

Watch Eduardo Paes’ “The 4 commandments of cities” talk at TED

Eduardo Paes is the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, a sprawling, complicated, beautiful city of 6.5 million. He shares four big ideas about leading Rio — and all cities — into the future, including bold (and do-able) infrastructure upgrades and how to make a city “smarter.” […]

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China Design Trend Watching

Eco Design Fair: Showcasing innovation and sustainable design in Shanghai

On Saturday, April 14, 2012, the Eco Design Fair will bring to Shanghai’s South Bund a full day of exhibits and activities for visitors to learn about green and healthy living, and seeking earth-friendly alternatives in fashion, food, energy, transportation, wellness, home, gardening, finance and more […]

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Economics Innovation Trend Watching

Watch Justin Hall-Tipping’s “Freeing energy from the grid” talk at TED

What would happen if we could generate power from our windowpanes? In this moving talk, entrepreneur Justin Hall-Tipping shows the materials that could make that possible, and how questioning our notion of ‘normal’ can lead to extraordinary breakthroughs […]

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China Economics Trend Watching

Living in China: Shanghai’s air falls below standard

Shanghai has failed to meet a proposed air quality standard for the past five years, according to the city’s environment watchdog […]

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China Consumer Behavior Economics Information Technology Trend Watching

Chinese People and Their Mobile Phones: E-commerce is going mobile

Chinese retailers are paying close attention to the mobile commerce sector in the country’s large cities, and experts said the development of mobile commerce will depend on the Internet environment in China […]

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China Trend Watching

Living in China: Major cities suffering months of hazy days

Shanghai and Beijing are among a number of major Chinese cities which experienced “hazy” days for up to half of last year […]

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Economics Information Technology Trend Watching

Internet in Brazil: Active Internet users grew 14% year-on-year

The number of active Internet users in Brazil in September 2011 was 46,300,000, an increase of 14% over the same month last year. With the new number, Brazil beats Germany, France and the UK in number of active users at home or at work. The Brazil ranks third in the list of countries that monitor the internet using the same methodology […]

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Design Economics Innovation Trend Watching

Watch Alex Steffen’s “The shareable future of cities” talk at TED

How can cities help save the future? Alex Steffen shows some cool neighborhood-based green projects that expand our access to things we want and need — while reducing the time we spend in cars […]

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China Economics Innovation Trend Watching

Living in China: Shanghai takes steps to curb talent drain, price hikes

Shanghai will carry out new policies to create a better work and living environment to retain non-local professionals, including expats, and to stabilize the growth of consumer prices, the Shanghai’s Party Secretary Yu Zhengsheng told a meeting in town recently […]