2050 Investors — Economic and markets megatrends, ahead of 2050’s global sustainability targets

The Chinese have a saying, ' A peaceful life has nothing to do with the passage of time'. This sound reminder points to the importance of enjoying life regardless of age. After all, age is just a number, right? Ageing has become a topical issue in the mainstream recently as experts warn of the incoming 'Silver Avalanche', which has already swept Europe and is making its way to Asia. Global life ex...

Strap on your boots, don your hats, grab your pitchforks and mangroves, because we are going carbon hunting! Although carbon dioxide makes up a measly 0.04% of our atmosphere or 421 parts per million (ppm), it is about double the average concentration seen over the past 3 million years. All of this extra carbon dioxide accumulated since the pre-industrial era has already caused global warming of 1...

Should the world's central banks (Fed, ECB, BoE...) launch a coordinated "green quantitative easing" programme to simply print the $3.5 trillion a year needed to finance the energy transition? Is this a realistic solution or too green to be true? This episode of the 2050 investors podcast puts the 'central' back in central banks. Since their creation in the 17th century, central banks have been ta...

What has no beginning, end, or middle and touches every continent? If you answered, “the ocean”- Correct! Or the ‘living infinite’, as Jules Verne called it in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. This latest episode of 2050 Investors is a splashy one as host Kokou Agbo-Bloua dives deep into the mysteries of the oceans aboard the modern-day Nautilus, the Nautile. In 2022, at the UN Convention on...

Why do we say, "there’s no place like home"? This iconic phrase appears in "The Wizard of Oz" to remind us of the human need for familiarity, belonging and protection. Over the past centuries, our homes have followed a Darwinian process of evolution by natural selection of efficiency. From caves to skyscrapers, they’ve protected us from wild animals, natural disasters, and the changing climate.  ...

Part 1 of the episode. Don't miss Jonny Wilkinson's interview in Part 2. “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime”. In this episode about sports, these lyrics from Eminem’s hit song ‘Lose Yourself‘ resonate deeply. Throughout History, from civil rights to diversity and inclusion, sports have deeply shaped, inspired and changed our individua...

Part 2 of the episode. We recommend you listen to Part 1 if you haven't already. “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime”. In this episode about sports, these lyrics from Eminem’s hit song ‘Lose Yourself‘ resonate deeply. Throughout History, from civil rights to diversity and inclusion, sports have deeply shaped, inspired and changed our i...

This special episode of 2050 Investors takes you to… well, the year 2050! Will we have achieved our goal of net-zero emissions and taken the necessary steps to limit global warming to 1.5 C°? And if not, what will a world on the verge of climate collapse due to human activities look like?   Join Kokou Agbo-Bloua as he explores the future, inspired by the thought-provoking series "Black Mirror". St...

Economy, planet, markets and you 2050 Investors is going on a summer break! Before we meet again in September, listen to our April 2022 episode on the insurance industry, which is facing a number of challenges as a result of climate change. In insurance lingo, an “Act of God” is an event outside of human control or activity, such as natural disasters. With the growing frequency of such "Acts of Go...

Welcome fellow energy explorers! Do you know why is the energy transition taking so long? And what awaits us when we eventually deplete our energy reserves?   In this episode of “2050 Investors” we're embarking on a thrilling adventure into the world of energy and the ongoing transition away from fossil fuels. Inspired by the timeless tale of "The Jungle Book," we explore the metaphorical signific...

Did you know that in 2022, the global apparel market was valued at over US 1.5 trillion dollars and is expected to increase to almost US 2 trillion dollars by 2027 (Consumer Market Outlook)? But here is the catch: the industry accounts for 8 to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and that figure is growing! In this riveting episode, Kokou Agbo-Bloua investigates the dark underbelly of fast fas...

Did you know that over the past 440 million years, there have been five mass extinction events on Earth? Now, according to scientists, the sixth extinction may already be underway. By the end of the century, it is estimated that half of an estimated 8 million living species could become extinct due to human-induced global warming.  In other words: biodiversity is at risk. Join Kokou Agbo-Bloua as...

Part 1 of the episode. Don't miss Claudia Senik's interview in Part 2. What really drives happiness in the 21st century? The UN designates March 20 as “International Day of Happiness” to celebrate the importance of happiness and well-being as “universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings worldwide and in public policy objectives". Join Kokou Agbo-Bloua as he delves into the dynamic...

Part 2 of the episode. We recommend you listen to Part 1 if you haven't already. What really drives happiness in the 21st century? The UN designates March 20 as “International Day of Happiness” to celebrate the importance of happiness and well-being as “universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings worldwide and in public policy objectives". Join Kokou Agbo-Bloua as he delves into t...

How does climate change affect health? Thanks to the incredible discoveries in medicine and technology, the average global human lifespan has more than doubled since 1900 and is now above 70 years. Over the same period, CO2 emissions exponentially increased, which raises questions about the link between healthcare and climate change.     In this episode, Kokou Agbo-Bloua embarks on an investigativ...

How about doing away with plastic? Drifting in the Central North Pacific Ocean is the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”, a collection of marine debris with a mass so large it has been ranked as our eighth continent.   Nature is “circular by design” - balanced and sustainable - but our modern lifestyle is simply not.   Beginning with a nostalgic nod to the iconic Lion King, Kokou Agbo-Bloua embarks on...

What is the future of international trade? After Brexit, the War in Ukraine, and the Covid-19 pandemic, are we at the beginning of the end of globalisation? Will a future Phileas Fogg be more incentivized to stay at home and circle the world in the metaverse in 80 seconds? While globalization has fueled economic growth, lifted millions out of poverty, and facilitated unprecedented access to consum...

Do the recent statements by President Macron and the debacle of Liz Truss' mini budget sound the end of abundance? It seems like we should prepare for the inevitable scarcity of natural resources, stable climate and financial market performance.   In this episode, Kokou Agbo-Bloua delves into the profound changes shaping our world. Through an introspective lens, he juxtaposes societal shifts with...

Is the Earth running out of fresh water? The summer of 2022 has seen significant droughts across the world, with serious ripple effects from energy shortages to severe food insecurity. But how can we possibly have a water crisis when water makes up close to 3/4 of our planet’s surface?   Kokou Agbo-Bloua looks at how climate change is disrupting our planet’s water cycle. He explores the vast reser...

Is hydrogen gray until proven green? When looking into the energy transition and options for clean sources of energy, hydrogen is often listed as one of the key solutions for the future. The hype about its potential is undeniable, but so are the critics about its costs, efficiency and sustainability.   In this podcast episode, you are invited to participate in a "trial by podcast," where you act a...

What will tomorrow's plate look like? By 2050, we will have to feed close to 10 billion people – 2 billion more than today – while committing to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. So, what solutions are being put on the table (pun intended) by the food industry to meet that challenge? Is the future of food high energy pills and liquids full of nutrients injected intravenously like in Star Trek?  ...

What impact has the war in Ukraine had on the economy? From Covid-19 pandemic to an inflation outbreak, from recession to stagflation fears and finally from peace to war; 2022 is barely six months old but has proven to be quite a challenging year already.    This episode dissects the far-reaching impacts of the Ukraine conflict on global markets, sustainability efforts and financial landscapes. De...

In insurance lingo, an “Act of God” is an event outside of human control or activity, such as natural disasters. With the growing frequency of such "Acts of God" - amplified by acts of men - the question of the insurability of climate risks is front and center. From the Oracle of Delphi's predictions to the emergence of insurance as a safeguard against unforeseen calamities, Kokou’s narrative weav...

How can cities adapt to global warming? A recent UN report expects 68% of the world population to live in cities by 2050, compared to about 55% today. But the underlying truth is that cities are responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions, waste and pollution.   In this new episode of 2050 Investors, Kokou Agbo-Bloua explores the concept of smart cities and how they're revolutionizing urban livi...

A new variant of inflation has emerged: green inflation, or Greenflation. Beginning with a reflection on recent economic trends and inflationary pressures, Kokou Agbo-Bloua explores the emergence of this phenomenon. From the trading floors to geopolitical tensions, he analyzes how the fight against climate change is reshaping economic dynamics and investor sentiments. As the investigation unfolds,...