21st Century Challenges

Meet the Capitalism panel

Read the biographies of Vince Cable MP,
Shadow Chancellor, Liberal Democrats,
John Micklethwait, Editor-in-Chief of
The Economist and BBC broadcaster Evan Davis.

Protectionism on the Rise in Europe?

EU moves to prevent protectionism

Fears of increasing protectionism in Europe are overshadowing a meeting of EU finance ministers.

EU ‘consensus’ to tackle crisis

EU leaders have ended an emergency summit in Brussels saying they are determined to avoid protectionist moves in response to the economic crisis.

Will the G20 expand the role of the IMF?

It wasn't long ago that Gordon Brown wanted to downgrade the lending side of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and make it an independent economic watchdog instead.

Hopes of climate change accord ‘are sinking’

Two leading climate scientists have broken ranks with their peers to declare that hopes of getting a meaningful political deal on halting global warming this year are already lost. Is Geoengineering Plan B?

The Future of Capitalism

The Financial Times have started a new series 'The Future of Capitalism'

Carbon capture: Scrubbing the skies

Removing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere could help combat climate change. Will it really work?

A guide to the G20

Read a quick guide to the Group-of-Twenty (G20) meeting in London, April 2009

Artificial trees and brightened clouds may help to cool us down

Techniques for geo-engineering are coming under serious scrutiny as temperatures and CO2 emissions continue to rise

Britons vie with immigrants for low-paid jobs

Because of rising unemployment, British-born workers are having to seek low-paid and low-status jobs that have become the preserve of immigrant workers, a report says today.

FT poll reveals hostility to jobless migrants

More than three-quarters – 78 per cent – of British adults believe immigrants should be asked to leave the country if they do not have a job, according to an FT/Harris survey published

Scientists perform ocean experiments

An international team of scientists has returned from the southern ocean after conducting the biggest experiment into geo-engineering.

Ahead of G20 summit, report says: promote sustainability over growth

The pursuit of economic growth was one of the root causes of the financial crisis, and governments should respond to the recession by abandoning growth at all costs in favour of a more sustainable, greener system, says a report out today.

On eve of G20 summit, new blow to Gordon Brown

Ministers were struggling to maintain momentum for the G20 summit last night after it emerged that any spending decisions would be deferred to a later meeting, further narrowing the scope of this week's London talks, which have been plagued by divisions between European leaders and Gordon Brown.

Barack Obama arrives in Downing Street for G20 talks with Gordon Brown

US president cheered by No 10 staff as he and wife Michelle arrive for discussions with prime minister

Britain’s ageing population

A 60 second guide to Britain's ageing population

New world order emerges from chaos

Slowly the shape of the world after the financial flood is beginning to emerge.

Britain’s ageing population

Read an introduction to the challenges and benefits of Britain's ageing population.

Potential sites for UK nuclear power stations revealed

The energy and climate change secretary, Ed Miliband, says nuclear power is part of Britain's low-carbon future

Importing food means exporting drought

We need to change the way we eat if we are to tackle the looming catastrophe of water scarcity

UK set to miss climate change targets

The UK is set to miss climate change targets despite a reduction in greenhouse emissions caused by the recession, analysts have warned.

Europe looks towards robots to care for its elderly

By 2050, Europe is expected to have more than 80 million people over the age of 65. Many will be able to live active, independent lives, but some will need more help, and with birth-rates dropping some countries are looking at the options for robotic care.

Why low migration levels threaten the UK’s economic and social health

The falling fertility rate and an ageing population mean too little immigration may turn out to be a bigger problem for the UK than too much migration.

EU migration is working

Instead of sending out mixed messages, the government needs to take the courage to say that migrants have helped us

Carbon capture technology tested

New carbon capture technology is being tested for the first time in the UK on a working coal-fired power station.

Britain’s population time-bomb? The challenges and opportunities of an ageing society

Importing goods, exporting drought?

October 2009

George Alagiah chairs a discussion with Robin Farrington, WWF and Andy Wales, SAB Miller on the scale of global water consumption needed to produce what we use and consume and the dramatic impact it has around the world.

Watch the talks