By Carrie R. Williams, FAS Intern There is broad consensus that clean energy investments are critical to the long term stability, security and economic welfare of the United States. Rep. Paul Tonka (D-NY) recently said, “We cannot cut our way to number one. If we are to stay competitive as a nation in the long [...]
Today Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh sits in a hospital in Saudi Arabia, the victim of an assassination attempt. Back in Yemen, the opposition is cautiously optimistic about what this means for the future of Yemen. And as the U.S. State Department and its allies continue to publicly call on Saleh to resign from office [...]
In the wake of revolution the U.S. must immediately engage with Egypt and Tunisia through S&T initiatives. The U.S. should: expedite student visas, fund additional scholarships, support dialogues between U.S and regional universities, and recommit existing S&T and education aid packages. S&T activities should be a key component of building better, more resilient relationships with [...]
Today, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) inaugurates 2011 as the International Year of the Forests. In our rapidly urbanizing world where many people live detached from forests, wetlands, and other “wild” spaces, it is easy to forget their impact upon our daily lives and upon the essential resources and services we take for granted. [...]
Yesterday morning the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released its “Report to the President on Accelerating the Pace of Change in Energy Technologies Through an Integrated Federal Energy Policy.” This report, requested by President Obama, issues recommendations for the Administration and the Department of Energy on how to “transform the energy [...]
US aid for Yemen goes predominantly to military and hard security projects. To confront the key sources of instability the U.S. must look beyond military assistance. Tier two engagement will be a critical component of this strategy, especially in looking at challenges to natural resource and human security. As Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula [...]
FAS’ High Performance Building Guide for Habitat for Humanity affiliates is now published on the Building America (BA) website. To check out the Guide for yourself, see the “Latest Additions” sidebar on the publications page or find the Guide on the BA website here or the FAS website here. Want to know more about the [...]
• Yemen faces severe water shortages within the next decade • access to water resources is already a critical security matter in Yemen • to prevent large-scale resource conflict innovative water provision and management solutions are necessary Last week in Sana’a a British diplomatic convoy was attacked by Al Qaeda militants armed with an RPG. [...]
The Federation of American Scientists has just released its latest tool to improve energy efficiency, sustainability, healthfulness, and safety in the affordable housing market. In cooperation with six Habitat for Humanity affiliates from all over the U.S. and experts at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Lawrence Berkeley National [...]
The Building Technologies Program at FAS is releasing the High Performance Building Guide for Habitat for Humanity Affiliates This report provides practical guidelines, resources, and advice to improve the quality of affordable housing while minimizing cost Check the guide out here. High performance housing has long been the privilege of the high-end residential market. Higher [...]