What We’re Reading, February Edition

Sustainability and Sustainable Business

Global warming ‘pause’ due to unusual trade winds in Pacific ocean, study finds The Guardian
State of Green Business: Shadow pricing steps into the limelight GreenBiz

These are admittedly drier reads, but shadow pricing has us excited. It’s reshaping how businesses accurately assess the value of, well, everything. Instead of assigning just a dollar value to stuff, businesses are using shadow prices to internalize all those amorphous externalities—from greenhouse gas emissions to water use to ecosystem services and so on. Shadow prices show what a commodity or activity really costs the planet, which can change the conversation around long-term business planning. Microsoft, for example, is using an internal carbon price to fund efficiency and renewable investments.

As the article says, “It’s a fitting response to our data-intensive world of rabid consumerism, where we tend to know the price of everything, but not necessarily its value.”

Food

Too soon to celebrate new SNAP incentive program in the Farm Bill EatDrinkPolitics

On Friday, President Obama signed the new five-year farm bill (formally known as the “2012” Farm bill). While the cuts to SNAP (food stamps) weren’t half as bad as they could have been, 1.7 million recipients will still lose an average of $90 a month. The article explains why it might also be too soon to celebrate the Food Insecurity Incentive Program—another part of the farm bill that’s supposed to encourage SNAP participants to eat healthier.

Cities + Guns 

How a Low-Crime City Became the New Center of America’s Gun Debate The Atlantic

This article’s a double whammy, combining two of Purpose’s big areas of concern. The gun control debate is being duked out more and more frequently in America’s cities. Pleasant (and low-crime) Sunnyvale, California, is the latest battlefield. It’s fending off lawsuits brought on by the NRA and the National Sports Shooting Foundation after attempting to pass some of the most stringent gun regulation laws in the country.

Education

Stakes are high for K-12 Policy in 2014 Elections EdWeek

There’s a lot at stake during this year’s elections, and education policy is no exception. EdWeek’s article mentions hot topics like Common Core State Standards, school choice, collective bargaining, and early childhood education.

Creative and design for social change

http://www.angelamorelli.com/water/

We’re in love with this beautiful scrolling, interactive infographic, which highlights some of the more shocking facts around water consumption.

Innovation and tech

Republicans using fake websites to trick donors is just the start Forbes
Glenn Greenwald’s New Website, The Intercept, Is Now Live HuffPost Media

Two very different sites here—one obscuring the truth; another trying to bring it to light.

Wellness

Social Change and the Shadow Side of Passion Stanford Social Innovation Review

Shadows must be a running theme this month. This is an interesting read on how activism helps confront our personal demons and makes us more innovative and compassionate.

5 Ways to Bring Creativity Back to Your Culture Inc.

According to Marc Barros, entrepreneurs often build companies that stifle the very creativity they need. We wanted to pass on his five recommendations for keeping your creative juices flowing, your colleagues happy, and your company thriving.