Reflections on the past 10 years of blog posts and more recent occurrences

I started this blog back in 2013 with the ambition of posting one a year and for the most part, I have been able to hold true to that. As I look back on what I have written and my perspectives, the core substance has always included some elements of morality, humanity, social welfare, equity, and justice. The horrors of the world often serving as a source of the impetus for my writing, but more importantly as inspiration for a better world. A more just, equitable world. That aspiration has and will remain consistent.

The past year has been one of learning, learning, learning, and more learning. The more I learn, the more I realize how much more there is too learn. Creating a virtuous cycle. I wanted to share some of my key highlights from the past year with you all.

Immersion into economics serving society
I completed a masters in sustainable impact analysis and successfully defended my masters thesis last month in November.  My foray into the world of economics opened my eyes to a new realm of possibilities and perspectives on how to make better informed decisions. A cost benefit analysis can help account for various social and environmental considerations that can accrue over time providing a useful decision making tool for policymakers and investors. Including those invested in making the world a cleaner, greener more equitable place. 

As a child, I struggled with asthma. When Respire and Clean Cities proposed a capstone project to evaluate the costs and benefits of policy proposal aimed at improving air quality in Paris, I was all ears. Under the supervision of Martin Koning, my team and I explored various costs associated with transitioning to electric or lower emitting vehicles, and the benefits associated with reductions in pollution, noise, and CO2 emissions as well as benefits associated with health impacts. The Paris Council voted unanimously to experiment with the proposed policy. Needless to say, my team and I can breathe a little easier. You can learn more about the project here:

• Capstone Report English: Impacts of implementing a Zero-Emission Delivery Area in Paris
• Capstone Report French: Synthesis

Trekking in new territory in Indonesia
Another highlight from the past year included my time in Indonesia, where I had the opportunity to discuss Innovation in Clean Energy with PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk in the beautiful mountains of Sentul. This knowledge sharing crash course included topics on US and EU policy, emerging business models, and sustainable finance. Indonesia is full of ambitions, is taking a leadership role for the Global Blended Finance Alliance, and has a green future ahead. The journey of Indonesia is one to pay close attention too! 

What's next?
While this year was full of new heights, including an brief obsession with rock climbing, the real question is what's next? For now, I will be continuing as Junior Policy Analyst at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD-OCDE), but will keeping one eye out for my next play after my graduation in April. As for the next 10 years . . . that is still unwritten :)