How Pandemics Change History—Plus 8 Other Impactful Stories On Our Radar

At The Conscious Investor, we discover works every day that inspire us. There is the profile on an environmental innovator bending history. The interview with a civic-minded venture capitalist reigniting local journalism. The study highlighting the economic potential of gender parity. We seek these stories out—and we are endlessly encouraged by them. Here’s what has grabbed our attention as of late. 

TO READ:

How Pandemics Change History 

As COVID-19 continues to spread, experts in varying fields are grasping at how this disease impacts humanity at large. The New Yorker staff writer Isaac Chotiner interviewed Frank M. Snowden, a professor of the history of medicine at Yale, on how this novel coronavirus and other epidemics impact societies, countries, future paths, and the way in which we relate to one another. These outbreaks, says Snowden, "reflect our relationships with the environment—the built environment that we create and the natural environment that responds. They show the moral relationships that we have toward each other as people, and we’re seeing that today."

The Power of Parity: Advancing Women's Equality in Africa

In this comprehensive report, researchers at McKinsey Global Institute look at how gender inequality has continued to remain high across Africa, thus jeopardizing the economic potential of the continent and its countries. Africa lags behind other parts of the world not in female labor participation but in social stigma and healthcare. This research explores the power and possibilities that could come from advancing intentions and progress toward gender parity.

These Are 76 Climate Solutions We Need to Scale Up Right Now to Have A Chance

Recently the environmental nonprofit Project Drawdown unveiled a report on what it believes are the most impactful global strategies for reducing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. The list is robust, informative, and, as Fast Company staff writer Adele Peters points out in this article, completely attainable. In fact, “the solutions the world needs to tackle climate change already exist," writes Peters.

An Old School Plan to Fight Plastic Pollution Gathers Steam 

This insightful read from National Geographic highlights entrepreneur Tom Szaky's bold, impactful approach to reducing waste. The idea isn't reinventing the wheel (it actually dates back to the 1920s), but it has garnered the support of corporate giants—and it perpetuates an important conversation about the impact we, consumers, have in the fight against plastic waste. As Szaky says in the piece, “we vote blindly, day after day after day, with money, telling companies what we want, and we need to take that seriously.”

How to Talk About Money When You're Dating

It makes sense to talk about money early on in a relationship. As the Ellevest team explores in this article, these conversations open up the doorway to "getting to know the other person, their emotional life, their values, and their planes better." But still, it can be hard to do so. These simple tools and prompts can help. 

TO LISTEN:

Local news is dying. John Thornton wants to save it.

John Thornton, a venture capitalist and the founder of The Texas Tribune, believes American democracy is starving for a resurgence of local news. As newspapers fold and TV stations go underfunded, Thornton has created the American Journalism Project, a philanthropic venture to help fund independent local press. In this conversation with Recode Media's Peter Kafka, Thornton unveils the reasons, funding plans, and ambitious ideas behind his charge to empower the future of journalism.

The Fix Podcast

Michelle King, an expert on global gender equality, hosts illuminating conversations with innovators, academics, and game changers who are propelling inclusivity and parity in the workplace. King has a pulse on the evolving modern world of work and how this particularly impacts women. Her conversations are dense and bright, and they offer digestible ways for anyone and everyone to bolster equality in the office and beyond. Two recent episodes we enjoyed include Tayo Rockson: Use Your Difference to Make a Difference and Pat Mitchel: How To Become a Dangerous Woman.

TO WATCH:

What Is Impact Investing?

Determining the differences between impact investing, ESG, responsible investing, and sustainable investing can be confusing. Add venture philanthropy into the mix and it gets even more nebulous. This insightful video sketches out what makes each investment type and endeavor unique.

Introduction to Tulaa

Farmers in Africa face a multitude of challenges. Tulaa, a technology platform based in Kenya, is working to help African farmers clear these hurdles so they can prosper and thrive in their business. In this brief video, CEO Hillary Miller-Wise explains the ways in which Tulaa is helping to level the playing field.

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At The Conscious Investor, it is our goal to shed light on topics that we find interesting, inspirational, and educational. Therefore, this article is strictly for inspirational and informational purposes only. It is in no way intended to substitute for professional investment advice, professional financial advice, or general counsel. To the extent that an article features the insight, opinions, or advice of an expert or company, the expressed views are those of the cited person or company and do not necessarily represent The Conscious Investor and its employees or affiliates.