Finally: a Global Forum for a Global Crisis

The problem is hardly new: a global problem with intergenerational implications and numerous technical complications but no good way for common, everyday people to make their opinion heard by the voices who listen

VoxEU.org  just made substantial headways in tackling this problem of hosting a global conversation about the Financial Crisis. Check them out. Economists and others around the world talking about the financial crisis - and they've even got a section on Development (developing countries, especially African countries, have been painfully absent from a conversation about a situation that already is and will continue to effect them.) They remind us that many emerging markets went through their own financial crisis not that long ago, and got their economies 'back on track'  through exports. As the market for exports dries up, their real (and financial) economies are going to suffer.

Unless they change their model for making a profit.

I'm glad to see that one of the pundits on Vox EU, Trevor Houser from the Rhodium group, is focusing on the potential of a Global Green New Deal.

To say that Green is Hot would border on a bad joke, but I'm not the only one who has noticed that Japan, South Korea, China, the UK and Germany have all been talking about 'green' stimulus plans.  And the US Congress is due to vote on a 50-100 billion Green Stimulus package this week (So keep your ears and eyes tuned in! This is exciting!)

It's not enough - we need more, a lot more, to turn Green into Cool.  But it's great to see at least some talk from Asia about going green - though Wen's current visit in Europe and the UK shows a greater interest oil-based trade than cutting that Tiger's carbon footprint.

Still, it's a great start, and shows the power that governments can have in stimulating the right kind of markets - especially when nudged by socially responsible businesses and innovative web forums!