annual report 2014 - Worldwatch Institute

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ANNUAL REPORT 2014 APRIL 2013–MARCH 2014

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Vision for a sustainable world

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS Message from the Chairman

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About the Worldwatch Institute

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2013-2014 Impact Highlights

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Financial Statement

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Board and Staff

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Donors and Institutional Support

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Communications and Outreach

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Make a Difference

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Ed Groark Chairman

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MESSAGE

FROM THE CHAIRMAN When you support the Worldwatch Institute, you directly and effectively address the environmental, economic, and social challenges that the world is facing as modern society consumes resources beyond the capacity of our small planet. The challenges themselves are daunting. But to work on them creatively is a source of satisfaction that we hope you will share with us.

“Sustainability is still possible.” The accomplishments that we report here—accomplishments you helped us achieve—remind us anew why Worldwatch and its work are critically needed. Our 2013 edition of State of the World, provocatively subtitled “Is Sustainability Still Possible?”, continues to accrue praise for its courageous look at critical issues. Sustainability is still possible—but as time passes, the opportunity narrows. With a sense of growing urgency, we are working to help bring about a sustainable future. This year, we continued to work closely with Caribbean and Central American governments to find ways to quickly shift to economy-enhancing renewable en-

ergy. Choosing free, local sunshine and wind over expensive petroleum imports makes huge economic sense for these countries—and could make them models of the low-carbon transition that the whole world must make. Worldwatch has excelled at developing a global vision of sustainability for four decades. We are now beginning an era of close collaboration with the growing numbers of city, corporate, and agricultural sustainability leaders with the purpose of accelerating their impact through our research and analysis. Worldwatch works to speed the transition to a world where our grandchildren’s society will live in balance with the capacity of the natural world. Thank you for making our work possible as we move into our fifth decade. Ed Groark Chairman

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ABOUT THE

WORLDWATCH INSTITUTE Founded in 1974 by farmer and economist Lester Brown, Worldwatch was the first independent research institute devoted to the analysis of global environmental concerns. Worldwatch quickly became recognized by opinion leaders around the world for its accessible, fact-based analysis of critical global issues. Forty years later, Worldwatch continues to develop innovative solutions to intractable problems, emphasizing a blend of government leadership, private sector enterprise, and citizen action that can make a sustainable future a reality. The following pages feature a sample of the critical work that we conducted in the 2013– 2014 fiscal year.

Global reach. Robert Engelman, then the president of the Worldwatch Institute, launches State of the World 2013 in Denmark.

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WORLDWATCH

AT A GLANCE Challenge Human needs are growing. Resources are running out. A healthy society, environment, and economy require urgent action and innovative solutions.

Mission Through research and outreach that inspire action, the Worldwatch Institute works to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world that meets human needs.

Vision WeWe envision willa planet pursue where solid growth while human society and the natural minimizing risks. world have regained a mutually

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291

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years since Worldwatch was founded

books & reports published to date

ranking among environmental think tanks worldwide

Full ranking report: bit.ly/GoToThinkTank

enhancing balance.

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Global collaboration. (L-R) Jamaica’s Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining meets with Worldwatch’s Caribbean Manager, Mark Konold, and Climate and Energy Director, Alexander Ochs.

2013–2014

HIGHLIGHTS Renewables 2013 Global Status Report Since 2005, we have collaborated with the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) to compile the annual Renewables Global Status Report. The report, which provides an integrated perspective on trends in global technologies, markets, and policies, is widely recognized as the authoritative assessment of renewable energy worldwide. Institute fellows and research staff worked with more than 500 researchers, contributors, and reviewers, drawing on wide-ranging information and expertise to ensure transparency and peer-review accuracy.

“REN21’s 2013 Global Status Report demonstrates how policies can drive the successful integration of large shares of renewables in the energy mix while simultaneously benefitting the economy and the environment.” Arthouros Zervos Chairman, REN21

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IMPACT FEATURE State of the World 2013: Is Sustainability Still Possible? Sustainability gets plenty of lip service, but the relentless worsening of key environmental trends reveals much of that attention to be “sustainababble.” From climate instability and species extinctions to approaching scarcities of fresh water, minerals, and energy, worrisome limits to human economic activity look more pressing each year, all while our political institutions seem impotent to address the change. In State of the World 2013, scientists, policy experts, and thought leaders attempt to restore meaning to sustainability as more than just a marketing tool. The book cuts through the rhetoric surrounding sustainability, offering a broad and realistic look at how close we are to fulfilling it today and which practices and policies will steer us in the right direction. This publication is especially useful for policymakers, environmental nonprofits, and students of environmental studies, sustainability, or economics.

122 K

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60+

copies bought or downloaded worldwide

number of published languages

international media mentions

“State of the World 2013 assembles the wisdom and clarity of some of the Earth’s finest thinkers, visionaries, and activists into a dazzling array of topics that merge to offer a compellingly lucid and accessible vision of where we are—and what is the wisest and healthiest course for the future.” Nina Simons Co-founder, Bioneers “Every elected official in the world needs to read this book. Mass denial is no longer an option... This book is the blueprint for that safe path forward.” Betsy Taylor President, Breakthrough Strategies & Solutions and Founder, Center for a New American Dream

Our publications are available on our website, www.worldwatch.org.

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IMPACT FEATURE Jamaica Sustainable Energy Roadmap Jamaica currently depends on petroleum imports for over 95% of its electricity generation. This reliance on fossil fuels leads to enormous electricity prices that restrict economic development and result in business failure. Emissions from fossil fuels also lead to high healthcare costs and contribute to global climate change. In the Jamaica Sustainable Energy Roadmap, Worldwatch analyzed the real costs—social, economic, and environmental—that the country is paying for its reliance on fossil fuel imports. We outlined a system built on efficiency, domestic renewable resources, smart distribution, and the concrete political and financial reforms necessary to get there. Since its launch in Kingston, Jamaica, the Roadmap has laid the groundwork for climatecompatible development, economic growth, reductions of health costs, and preservation of the island’s unique environmental heritage.

Transitioning Jamaica to an energy system powered almost entirely by renewables could result in an estimated:

45 million tons of CO2equivalent saved by 2030

$

12.5

4,000

billion U.S. dollars saved by 2030

additional jobs by 2030

“This Roadmap is very important for us… We intend to use it to determine the next phase of new generation capacity and it will enable us to be far more efficient than we have in the past.” The Honorable Phillip Paulwell Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Jamaica

“Worldwatch’s Sustainable Energy Roadmap for Jamaica is a resource with both practical and achievable recommendations that can have the transformative impact the country’s electricity sector badly needs… The report also highlights the critical steps that other stakeholders and sectors have in bringing about the type of sustainable energy future that is well within the country’s grasp.” Mark Lambrides Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank

Our publications are available on our website, www.worldwatch.org.

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Hunan Province Biomass Development Roadmap Renewable energy technologies in China have developed rapidly but are still encountering many implementation challenges locally. Working closely with in-country policymakers, scholars, experts, and industries, Worldwatch is analyzing everything from resource distribution to social impacts in order to generate the most effective development scenarios. Using village-level data, we are generating a province-wide planning scheme to maximize straw power generation efficiency in Hunan. In 2014, our rice straw biomass energy roadmap has been officially endorsed by Hunan Provincial Energy Administration.

“We felt that this proposal fits perfectly with our province’s future energy development needs. This project…would be an insightful guidance to the effective and efficient utilization of our province’s biomass resources.” Hunan Province Development and Reform Commission’s Energy Team

2013-2014 project highlights

The Way Forward for Renewable Energy in Central America As the economies of Central American countries grow, regional use of fossil fuels is rising. Fuel wood is consumed at unsustainable rates. The result is rising greenhouse gas emissions, worsening pollution, and major health costs. This region has the potential to meet all of its electricity needs with sustainable renewable energy, but the proper policies and measures need to be established now. Worldwatch’s comprehensive report provides the groundwork for that transition by presenting on-the-ground research and information to advance renewable energy. It evaluates key barriers, making suggestions on how to overcome them.

“The report has been very useful. In fact, we are drawing from it and quoting it in the new Nicaragua energy plan that the government is drafting.” Lâl Maradin Consultant, Nicaragua, Sustainable Energy for All L-R: Alexander Ochs (Worldwatch Institute), Ambassador Muni Figueres Boggs (Embassy of Costa Rica), and Mark Lambrides (Organization of American States)

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Nourishing the Planet Blog Nearly a half-century after the Green Revolution—the first systematic, large-scale attempt to reduce poverty and hunger throughout the world— a large share of the human family is still chronically hungry. Offering thoughtful analyses and creative insights, the Nourishing the Planet blog informs global efforts to eradicate hunger by providing the latest information on the people, institutions, and ideas affecting the global food system. The blog features several popular recurring series, such as Innovation of the Week, NTP TV, and Indigenous Vegetable of the Week.

“Nourishing the Planet has an overall fresh new look and feel to their site and they run several informative food and agriculture blogs. My favorite is the Innovation of the Week, a page dedicated to bringing many of the simplest, yet most promising new agricultural techniques and programs to light.” Beth Hoffman Forbes

2013-2014 project highlights

Religion and Sustainable Development New technologies alone cannot lead to sustainability. Values, often shaped by faith traditions, are also central to building just and healthy societies. With the election of a Pope named after St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the environment, sustainability became a more urgent issue for the Catholic Church. Senior Fellow Gary Gardner met in Rome with Catholic leaders, provided input to a Vatican paper on food and land issues, and was invited to speak on “The Family and the Environment” at a special Vatican gathering. Growing engagement of the Church on sustainability issues is seen as a natural extension of its longstanding interest in justice issues.

“The meeting has made it possible to look at the family from a special point of view, giving it a special role in the rethinking of development, in avoiding human ecological disasters and in creating a vision of progress for future generations.” Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops Pope Francis at the 2014 Sustainable Humanity, Sustainable Nature Workshop (Photo: The Pontifical Academy of Sciences)

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Vital Signs: The Trends That Are Shaping Our Future From smart grids to fish farming, this year’s Vital Signs documents and analyzes 28 key global trends. Using clear graphs, the book demonstrates that despite good news in many sectors, our economic systems are programmed to squeeze more resources from a planet in distress. The trends provide context for world events, spur global media discussion, and provide context for strategic planning among business leaders, policymakers, academics, and engaged citizens. Vital Signs trends are available online, through our electronic subscriptionbased website (http://vitalsigns.worldwatch.org). The trends from 2013 to 2014 are also available in print in Vital Signs, Volume 20.

“These lines that tie the world together are surreptitiously hidden just beyond our field of view, but Vital Signs does an amazing job of bringing everything into focus.” Jeremy Senko Spacing

KEY FINDINGS Coal production: Global coal production increased by 6,941 million tons in 2011, making it the fastestgrowing fossil fuel.

Automobile production: Passenger-car production rose to an all-time record of 66.1 million (up from 62.6 million in 2011).

Wage growth: Wage growth has slowed from an average of 3 percent in 2007 to 2.1 percent in 2010 to 1.2 percent in 2011.

Women farmers: Women farmers account for 43 percent of the agricultural workforce, but they own just 2 percent of farmland.

Natural disasters: During 2011, natural catastrophes caused an estimated 27,000 deaths and cost a record US$380 billion in losses.

Meat production: Global meat production surpassed 300 million tons for the first time in 2012.

Our publications are available on our website, www.worldwatch.org.

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2013–2014

FINANCIAL STATEMENT The Institute worked to maintain a solid fiscal position within the constraints of a tight funding environment for most non-profit organizations. Expenses exceeded revenues in 2013, leading to a reduction in net assets. We responded to this challenge by cutting expenses across the organization and through heightened efforts to raise funds from a variety of sources. New internal operations designed to increase participation in our individual giving program and to promote publication sales gained traction in 2013 and are expected to contribute more to our bottom line in years ahead.

Revenue Our revenue was $1.8 million, 93.5 percent of which came from individual contributions, foundation grants, governments, and institutions for the 2013 fiscal year. Six percent of our income comes from the sale or royalties collected from our books and reports.

Expenses Our research and outreach programs represented 76 percent of our total expenses in fiscal year 2013. Management, general expenses, and fundraising expenses represented only 24 percent of our spending.

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Condensed Statement of Activities for the Year Ended March 31, 2014. All values shown in U.S. dollars.

Revenues and Additions to Net Assets

Revenue

Total Contributions and Grants

1,705,987

Unrestricted

937,741

Restricted

768,246

Total Publications, Subscriptions, and Royalties Investment and Other Income Total Revenues and Additions

112,775 5,410 1,824,172

Expenses and Reductions to Net Assets

Expenses

Program Services Total Support Services

1,517,602 488,185

Management and General

252,640

Fundraising

235,545

Total Expenses and Reductions

2,005,787

Net Increase in Net Assets

(181,615)

The condensed financial information as of and for the year ended March 31, 2014 has been derived from the Worldwatch Institute’s financial statements, audited by Lane & Company, CPAs, independent auditors. The condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the 2014 audited financial statements and related notes. Worldwatch Institute’s complete audited financial statements may be obtained by writing to the Treasurer, Worldwatch Institute, 1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 430, Washington, DC 20036.

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BOARD OF

DIRECTORS Ed Groark Chairman and Acting Interim President Principal, Riverbend Consulting McLean, Virginia, USA

Christopher Flavin Senior Fellow, President Emeritus, Worldwatch Institute Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Robert Charles Friese Vice Chair Founding Partner, Shartsis Friese LLP San Francisco, California, USA

Ping He President, International Fund for China’s Environment Centerville, Virginia, USA

Nancy Hitz Secretary Vice President, Hitz Foundation Los Altos Hills, California, USA

Jerre Hitz Chief Engineer, TRW Systems Division (Retired) Los Altos Hills, California, USA

John Robbins Treasurer Accenture, COO, Resources Global Market unit (Retired) Owner, Greathorn Properties, Inc. Concord, North Carolina, USA

Izaak van Melle Former President, Van Melle Organization Schoten, Belgium

L. Russell Bennett, Esq. Chairman, Wings for Kids Charleston, South Carolina, USA Mike Biddle Founder, President, MBA Polymers Walnut Creek, California, USA Cathy Crain Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager (Retired), Scudder, Stevens & Clark Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Tom Crain Managing Director, Scudder, Stevens & Clark (Retired) Cincinnati, Ohio, USA James Dehlsen Chairman, CEO, Clipper Windpower, Inc. Goleta, California, USA Edith Eddy Executive Director, Compton Foundation (Retired) Palo Alto, California, USA

Bo Normander Director, Worldwatch Institute Europe Copenhagen, Denmark David Orr Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics, Special Assistant to the President, Oberlin College Oberlin, Ohio, USA Richard Swanson President Emeritus, SunPower Corporation San Jose, California, USA

Emeritus: Øystein Dahle Chairman, Worldwatch Norden Slependen, Norway Abderrahman Khene Former Chairman, OPEC El-Biar, Alger Algeria

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Staff STAFF Ed Groark Chairman and Acting Interim President Courtney Dotson Development Associate Barbara Fallin Director of Finance & Administration Supriya Kumar Marketing & Communications Manager Lisa Mastny Senior Editor Grant Potter Development Associate & Executive Assistant Tom Prugh State of the World 2013 & 2014 Co-Director Mary C. Redfern Director of Institutional Relations

Climate and Energy Asad Ahmed Research Fellow Katie Auth Research Associate Adam Dolezal Research Associate Christopher Flavin Senior Fellow, President Emeritus Milena Gonzalez Stanford MAP Fellow Mark Konold Research Associate, Caribbean Manager Max Lander Research Assistant Matt Lucky Research Associate Haibing Ma Research Associate, China Manager

Shakuntala Makhijani Research Associate Evan Musolino Research Associate Alexander Ochs Director Ramon Palencia Research Fellow Reese Rogers Stanford MAP Fellow Janet Sawin Senior Fellow Philipp Tagwerker Research Fellow Christoph von Friedeburg Research Fellow

Environment and Society Erik Assadourian Senior Fellow, State of the World 2013 Co-Director Robert Engelman Senior Fellow, President Emeritus Gary Gardner Senior Fellow Michael Renner Senior Researcher, State of the World 2014 Co-Director

Food and Agriculture Mia MacDonald Senior Fellow Sandra Postel Senior Fellow Sophie Wenzlau Senior Fellow Laura Reynolds Research Associate

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THANK YOU

FRIENDS OF WORLDWATCH We thank all individuals who made a significant gift toward supporting our programs and operations. Additional donors who requested anonymity also supported our work at the levels indicated and are not included in this listing.

President’s Circle ($5,000 and above) Anonymous (1) Russell Bennett Robert and Chandra Friese Robert Gillespie Jerre and Nancy Hitz John McBride Scott Nash Randles Family Living Trust Estate of Aldean G. Rhyner John B. and Holly C. Robbins F. Peter Seidel Dr. Richard Swanson Izaak Van Melle

Leadership Circle ($1,000-$4,999) Anonymous (5) Geeta and Kamesh B. Aiyer Myron and Caroline Arms Craig Aufenkamp and Maria Moesch Peter Beckman John R. Bermingham David Blittersdorf Dr. Edith Borie G. Allen Brooks

Margaret Calantzopouos Dr. Dwight E. Collins Jeb and Edith Eddy Stanley and Anita J. Eisenberg Bruce and Elizabeth Hodge Sudhanshu and Lori Jain Charles Keil Giuseppe La Manna Marta Jo Lawrence  Wayne Martinson and Deb Sawyer Leigh Merinoff David and Mary Ellen Moir Paul and Antje Newhagen Rebecca Newman Mr. and Mrs. George D. O’Neill Dr. David Orr Dr. Bob Pettapiece William L. Rand William and Eleanor Revelle Mr. & Mrs. John D. Sillers Curt M. Snyder, M.D. John Taylor William Laney Thornton Rosemary Wakeham Kendra Wenzel Lawrence and Ann Wheat Kristin Witting

April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 If you see an error in the listing of your name or have questions about being publicly recognized as a Friend of Worldwatch, please contact our Development Department at +1 (202) 745-8092, ext. 512.

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INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT Asian Development Bank (ADB)

The Johanette Wallerstein Institute

The Carbon War Room Corporation

The Lewis Foundation

Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

MAP Royalty, Inc., Natural Gas and Wind Energy Royalty Partnerships

Charles and Mary Bowers Living Trust Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Cultural Vision Fund of the Orange County Community Foundation   

MOM’s Organic Market   National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), U.S. Department of Energy Network for Good    

Del Mar Global Trust

Ray C. Anderson Foundation, Inc.

Doughty Hanson Charitable Foundation    

Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21)

Eaton Kenyon Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation  

Serendipity Foundation, Inc.

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United States  Energy and Environment Partnership with Central America (EEP) Flora L. Thornton Foundation Garfield Foundation, Brian and Bina Garfield, Trustees German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the International Climate Initiative Hitz Foundation Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Shenandoah Foundation Steven Leuthold Family Foundation Town Creek Foundation True Liberty Bags Turner Foundation, Inc. United Nations Foundation United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)     United Way of Central New Mexico     V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation Wallace Global Fund Weeden Foundation The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation with Population Reference Bureau

We thank all foundations, institutions, and governments for their support. Without their strong backing, our work would not be possible.

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COMMUNICATIONS &

OUTREACH 24.4 K 16.6 K 14.9 K

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In 2013-2014, the global media turned frequently to Worldwatch for unbiased information and commentary on environmental and social issues. Our research has been featured by global news leaders like UK’s BBC and The Guardian, Germany’s Der Spiegel, and The Times of India. Worldwatch staff have appeared on Al Jazeera, Fox news, Voice of America, and other media outlets. We received over 100 interview requests this year.

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YOU CAN

MAKE A DIFFERENCE The Worldwatch Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our success relies on the support of concerned citizens like you. Become a part of our vision for a sustainable world today. To learn more or to make a donation, please contact us at +1 (202) 745-8092 or visit www.worldwatch.org/donate. Donate by giving a gift or becoming a monthly supporter Connect through our eNewsletters at www.worldwatch.org Follow us on Facebook or Twitter @Worldwatch Purchase publications from our website (www.worldwatch.org/bookstore) Leave a legacy for future generations by naming Worldwatch in your will, trust, or insurance policy

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VISION FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD The Worldwatch Institute works to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world by analyzing issues and disseminating solutions to leaders and influencers globally

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