5 years ago, on Earth Day 2008, we founded the Ecologic Institute in Washington, DC. A recognized public charity under U.S. law, Ecologic Institute has since expanded its presence with a second office in San Mateo, California, and actively engages partners and stakeholders in government, academia, and civil society throughout North America. In our brochure we introduce our team and our programs in the US, give some insights into our project work on both sides of the Atlantic, and introduce our partners, donors, and networks. In conclusion, we demonstrate how our project value has increased in the recent years. The Ecologic Brief 5 Years Ecologic Institute US [pdf, 4,8 MB, English] is available for download.

On the occasion of the launch of the 2013 Arctic Summer College, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Europe Program and Ecologic Institute welcomed William M. Eichbaum, vice president of Marine and Arctic Policy of the World Wildlife Fund, R. Andreas Kraemer, Director of Ecologic Institute, and Dr. Kelly K. Falkner, Director of Polar Programs of the National Science Foundation for a conversation on the environmental and social impacts of a rapidly changing Arctic. The discussion can be watched online.

In the light of shrinking public budgets – both at the state and at the federal level – new approaches to leveraging public funding for renewable energies need to be developed. Reed Hundt, CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital, REH Advisors, presented his approach: State Clean Energy Finance Banks.

The precautionary principle is used in arguments both for and against climate engineering: On the one hand, the principle can suggest caution against climate engineering so as to minimize the (unknown) risks of proposed techniques to the environment and health. On the other hand, arguments can be made that climate engineering is a precautionary measure against the (known) risks of climate change. This article, written by Elizabeth Tedsen and Gesa Homann, provides an overview of this debate and what the precautionary principle means in a climate engineering context.

How can adaptation reduce the impacts of climate change and, in some cases, even yield benefits and business opportunities? Decision makers at all levels in Europe currently face a number of significant challenges when devising appropriate and sustainable adaptation strategies. This policy brief is an output of the EU FP7 project "Bottom-up Climate Adaptation Strategies Towards a Sustainable Europe" (BASE) and summarises the following challenges: Uncertainties and insufficient knowledge, as well as the need to improve assessments and the mainstreaming of adaptation in policy.

Ecologic Institute again assumed the role of coordinator for the 2013 Indicators Report for a Sustainable San Mateo County. From September 2012 to April 2013, the team gathered data for more than 40 indicators for the 3Es: Economy, Equity, and Environment, which were further enriched by current policy developments, innovative local initiatives, and tips for more sustainable individual behaviors. The report is available for download.