Hasta La Gadget!

There seems to have been something in the air this month, because many of our favorite Hollywood stars stepped out in some … interesting ensembles in June. 

Jamie Lee Curtis dressed as an orc for the premiere of “Warcraft” (who knew she was a fan?), Charli XCX got creative with pink poufs and Christina Milian left little to the imagination in Las Vegas.

Check out the most outrageous outfits we saw in the month of June: 

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The pharmaceutical industry’s scientific-medical research process is deeply complex and nuanced, and this complexity has made it fall prey to the prevailing “big pharma” disdain. Our collective, often near blind, love for so many forms of innovation seems oddly to be reserved for “anything but pharmaceutical innovative discovery.” Pfizer’s new corporate advertisement is therefore a much-needed correction: Pfizer’s one-minute video, “Before It Became a Medicine,” offers a compelling, enlightening story of how a drug develops from idea, to molecule, to medicine and then for us.

In sixty seconds, we learn how a dozen or more years of science, medicine, regulation and human invention bring a drug to our lives. We also see why there are real and substantial monetary costs to a breakthrough medicine. Let’s hope that Pfizer, by illustrating this process – one fraught with setbacks and incredible investments – can help garner public understanding for much-needed innovation. What happened since the early days of pharmaceutical innovation when the antibiotics revolution was heralded for its deep and broad social value?

When did miracle discovery become so devalued?

How did it come to pass that this industry became little more than a scapegoat for political talking points? The pharmaceutical industry has become the object of derision over the past couple decades. Al Gore’s 2000 American presidential campaign marked a high-water moment in this swelling critique, as Mr. Gore juxtaposed “Big Pharma” alongside “Big Tobacco” as a central part of his populist message, which, no doubt helped him win the popular vote that year.

When and why did we forget that the pharmaceutical industry has been at the center of transforming infectious disease from a death sentence to an inconvenience; that in the years following the antibiotic revolution it also discovered and brought to global populations treatments and even cures for everything from heart disease to diabetes to cancer? How did we come to take for granted that industry’s reasonable claim for at least some of responsibility for 21st century longevity; its role right along with toilets and clean water and refrigeration. Is it that this is also the one that must, by necessity, put a price tag on these “miracles?” Perhaps It’s this disconnect between the cost of an invention and the value of that miracle that has gotten us so hung up.

This is the genius of the one-minute Pfizer video: with phenomenal economy, it tells the decades-long story of how medical innovation comes to our medicine cabinets. It offers a persuasive case of why innovation must have a price tag. And, let’s hope, it tells a story that will be understood.

This is a big deal. As global society reaps the benefits of longevity — 1 billion of us over 60 and 2 billion by midcentury — what can be more compelling than finding ways to make that longevity healthier? Better health will give us quality in our long lives. Healthy and active aging will ensure that longevity and economic growth can, in our time, not only live side-by-side but also be mutually re-enforcing. An essential partner in this quest will be the innovative pharmaceutical sector, if we let it.

The research required for more treatment and cures — for cancers, Alzheimer’s, Zika or HIV/AIDS — has real costs. And society ought to embrace those costs if it wants the progress — progress not only in treatment and cures for disease, but also the advances for activity, engagement, fun and joy in our long lives.

Just two weeks ago, the World Health Assembly passed the new WHO Health and Ageing Strategy, which focuses on achieving “functional ability” through such areas as skin, oral, and nutritional health, better elder caregiving, and, yes, progress for NCDs from Alzheimer’s to stroke. But realizing the WHO’s vision will have costs. And it is the story offered by Pfizer that will enable global society to embrace those costs, and understand them as investments.

In modern society, we have grown accustomed to the ways that Madison Avenue shapes our lives and provides a lens of interpretation to complexity. The fascination — obsession, even — with Super Bowl ads matches the tens of millions spent on advertising for the World Cup or Olympics. But now Pfizer is using this same medium to tell a story that is emotionally appealing and intellectually compelling. A modern story that can be told, also, through the ultra-modern, 21st century medium online. And one that is succinct enough to present complexity to our otherwise inattentive consciousness. Wow!

See it and appreciate it, not only for its message but for the use of this medium in 21st century modern society. A lesson in medical science and innovation. A story about the politics and human approach to decision making. An illustration of corporate interest in the social acceptance of its business model — shared value, for sure. And, effectively, a public service announcement about how pharmaceutical research really works.

Earlier on Huff/Post50:

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One of the most accommodating and charming places we’ve lived in our years abroad is on the north shore of Lake Chapala. In Mexico’s central highlands, this area is the most popular overseas retirement destination for U.S. and Canadian expats, and it’s been so for nearly 100 years.

Lake Chapala, Mexico
About an hour south of Guadalajara (Mexico’s second-largest city and just about in the middle of the country) Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest freshwater lake. The international airport at Guadalajara, halfway between the city and the lake, is less than a 30-minute drive away, and offers direct flights to at least 14 cities in the States, 21 cities in Mexico, as well as to Panama City, Panama.

This is a huge plus for us and for anyone who plans any significant travel to and from the Chapala area. (This past January on a month-long return visit, we flew to Guadalajara from Phoenix after a family visit in less than two hours. Both American Airlines and Mexico’s budget Volaris Airlines offer direct, low-cost roundtrip fares to/from Phoenix and more. During our month-long stay, we found lakeside, as it’s commonly referred to, to be as charming and as convenient as ever.)

Besides being close to the States (you can drive to the border at Nuevo Leon or Laredo in about 11 hours), another huge plus is the climate. At about the same latitude as Hawaii, but the same elevation as Denver, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better weather anywhere in the world. This, and the convenience of getting to and from the communities that border the lake, are two primary reasons this area is so popular with U.S. and Canadian expats.

Lake Chapala, Mexico
About that climate: January is the coolest month at lakeside, with temperatures reaching about 70 F or more in the daytime and cooling off to about 50 F to 55 F at night. May is the warmest month, with highs typically in the mid-80s and lows of about 60 F. February is usually the driest month, with an average of only a 10th of an inch of rain, while July is the wettest month, with nine inches. Overall, the humidity is low.

Along with the elevation and latitude, the perfect weather is thanks largely to the cooling breezes that drift across the lake itself. About 50 miles long from east to west but not much more than 12 miles wide at its broadest point, Lake Chapala is relatively shallow, averaging only about 10 to 13 feet in depth.

The condition of the lake is always of concern to people who live in the area. Years of mismanagement helped drive the lake almost to the edge of extinction at one point several years ago.

Chapala, Mexico
More recently, however, significant attention has been paid to the lake’s health, and it’s been given full member status in the Global Nature Fund’s Living Lakes Network, an international organization helping to save the most important World Heritage lakes.

As we mentioned, this part of Mexico has been an expat haven for generations. It’s estimated that 30,000 foreigners live in the small towns and villages that dot the north side of the lake — the closest proximity to the big-city services of Guadalajara. Because of this large expat population, you’ll find many of the locals here speak English, too.

It doesn’t hurt of course, that this is a visually stunning place. The north shore of the lake is lined by hills that provide spectacular views, and many of the communities around the lake have built picturesque shoreline walks and parks. Homes tend to feature gentle arches, hand-painted tiles, and gardens that bloom all year round.

Ajijic, Chapala, Jocotepec, San Antonio, and San Juan Cosala are some of the most popular communities along the north shoreline. The town of Chapala itself is the largest community, and you’ll find all sorts of shops, cafés, and restaurants here. Chapala is also home to what is said to be the largest American Legion post outside of the U.S. To the east is the community of Vista del Lago, with its popular country club and golf course.

Ajijic, Mexico
Long a lure for artists, writers, musicians, and other creative sorts, you’ll find live music events, art shows, writers clubs, and all sorts of community events in every community along the lake. In the village of Ajijic (where we once lived), you’ll also find the Lake Chapala Society, a non-profit organization with the mission to help lakeside residents — both foreign and Mexican — enjoy a healthier, more engaged life. There’s a library and a wealth of services, classes, lectures, performances, and more.

A huge plus for foodies like us is that over the years Ajijic and the other lakeside communities have developed an eclectic selection of very good restaurants. Last January during our visit the exchange rate hovered around 18 pesos to $1, which meant that we couldn’t really cook at home for ourselves any less expensively than we could go out to lunch and dinner. And so we did … every meal. At our favorite restaurant near the house we rented, we could get two entrees and a bottle of wine for less than $25.

For those of you with U.S. dollars to spend, the exchange rate is still low today, as we write this in May of 2016. Remaining at more than 18 pesos to the dollar, this makes Lake Chapala … and Mexico in general … very good value.

What about safety and security here? The expats and locals we’ve talked with say they feel very safe — safer, in fact, than they did back in Los Angeles, Chicago, and other metropolitan areas. But no one suggests that you leave your house unlocked when you go out or forgo the common sense precautions you’d practice anywhere in the world. That said, there’s a widespread sense of community here … neighbors get to know each other and watch out for one another.

For sure, there are some potential drawbacks to the Lake Chapala area, depending on personal preferences. The large number of English-speaking expats can be a downside for some…but on the flip side, it’s easy to settle into daily life and quickly acquire a set of like-minded friends.

Another possible drawback is one that we personally find a big plus … familiar amenities and cultural events. The north shore of the lake offers supermarkets filled with many international brands. There’s even, for good or bad, a Walmart. And in nearby Guadalajara you’ll find Sam’s Club and Costco, too, along with several giant shopping malls with brand-name stores from around the world. There is a community theater (in English), and many businesses that cater to foreigners. If you need to get your car worked on, your computer fixed, or your satellite TV hooked up, it’s easily done.

Some long-time expats in the area feel all this detracts from the local culture and color, and for sure, the lakeside area has changed quite a bit over the years thanks to the number of expats living there. But still, this part of Mexico remains deeply rooted in local traditions and culture, and no amount of modern conveniences and improved services can affect that. You needn’t have the slightest worry about forgetting that you’re in the central highlands of Mexico.

And as you might imagine in a mature expat destination such as this, the quality of medical care here is top-notch. Medical care is about one-fourth of general costs in the U.S., and there are at least five 24-hour clinics and a Red Cross clinic, all of which are prepared to handle nearly any type of medical emergency.

Naturopathic, chiropractic, and homeopathic doctors, acupuncturists, practitioners of alternative medicine … that’s all here, too.

And don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish. Many healthcare professionals speak English, and many drive to the lakeside regularly from nearby Guadalajara, well-known internationally for its excellent medical community.

As for cost of living, it’s much the same as elsewhere in Mexico … much depends on your lifestyle. What will be true across the board, though is that utility costs here will be lower thanks to the mild climate. By living like a local, food costs can be low as well. Even the restaurants that cater to gringos are reasonable.

Long-term home and apartment rentals are available from about $350 to $2,000 a month. This depends on location, size, and amenities, of course. A very comfortable two-bedroom/ two-bath furnished home rents long-term from about $800 to $1,000 per month.

Keep in mind, though, that a good number of expat snowbirds visit this area during winter months, and choice rental properties can be hard to find then. Rentals can also be spoken for from June through September, when residents of the southern U.S. flock to the lake to escape the heat back home.

If you’re looking to buy, you’ll find something in just about every price range. The average price for homes sold in recent years is around $180,000. Anything under $200,000, we’re told, tends to sell quickly, especially now that — just as it has in the States — the local real estate market has rebounded.

Lake Chapala, Mexico
By the way, in this area of Mexico, because you’re not near the coast or border, you won’t buy through a fideicomiso bank trust. Instead, you’ll hold title via direct deed, just as you do in the U.S. and Canada.

Why won’t you find as many expats on the south side of Lake Chapala? Well, you will find a few … but the south side of the lake is much farther from amenities like shopping, restaurants, medical care, expat meeting places, and Guadalajara’s international airport. The south side tends to attract expats who prefer to be very much on their own … and perhaps to take advantage of the south side’s real estate prices, which are substantially lower than the north side’s already-affordable rates.

If you’re looking for an easy transition to expat life, Lake Chapala is the place for you. You can step right into expat life here with hardly any bumps along the way. You’ll find all the services you could want or need. The perfect weather and convenient location doesn’t hurt either. If you’re looking for a low-cost but top-quality destination, it doesn’t get much better than this.

This article comes to us courtesy of InternationalLiving.com, the world’s leading authority on how to live, work, invest, travel, and retire better overseas.

More On This Topic
The Perfect Lakeside Life for $1,700 a Month in Mexico
Moving To Mexico? Where to Meet Other Expats
The Best Places to Live In Mexico as A U.S. Expat

Earlier on Huff/Post50:

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This article has been submitted as part of the Natural Capital Coalition‘s series of blogs on natural capital by Peter Bakker, President & CEO, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Peter Bakker explains how applying the Natural Capital Protocol will enable organisations to redefine the meaning of value

WBCSD believes we can achieve a world where all people live well and within the boundaries of the planet. This is our Vision 2050. For it to become reality, we will need to consider more than just financial returns and losses. We need an economy that reflects true value, true costs and true profits.

The launch of the global Natural Capital Protocol on 13 July is a critical step on the journey towards a sustainably functioning economy. The Protocol allows business to measure and value its impacts and dependencies on nature, and therefore enables better informed decision-making for more sustainable choices.

The Protocol is designed to be flexible. Each company can use it in the way that helps them move towards integrated decision making and performance reporting.

To illustrate what this journey could look like for one of them, let’s follow the story of a hypothetical company from now until 2050.

2016: Measuring, valuing and integrating natural capital into decision making

Right now, an international coffee company is trying to manage its complex supply chain, and move up in a competitive market. Every day, the senior management has to make decisions about their business, based on the information they have.

Their business depends upon nature, such as for pollination and crop growth, mostly in remote and poor areas of the world. The company faces many risks, but how can they integrate natural capital information into their decision-making or accounting systems, if they haven’t measured or valued it?

From July 2016, this coffee company begins using the Protocol to understand the risks and opportunities of their natural capital impacts and dependencies. They measure and value the extent to which their facilities and farmers impact and depend on natural capital, specifically water use, pollination, and air quality.

Using the Protocol shows the company that these issues are already incurring significant costs to their business, and that these costs are set to significantly increase in the future.

Equipped with this information, the coffee company can now decide what to do. They reduce water needs by investing in natural infrastructure. They join other organizations fighting to address declining bee populations. And they introduce an internal carbon price of $60 per ton to anticipate upcoming fuel emission regulations.

From internal decision making to external reporting and recognition

By thinking strategically about their natural capital decisions, our coffee company sets an industry benchmark that investors reward and their competitors leap to follow. The company has embedded natural capital assessments into their business and they’re managing natural capital in a consistent way internally. And because they were early adopters, they were better positioned than other companies when the worldwide carbon price was introduced, and now that those externalities are firmly embedded in the economy, they are reaping the rewards.

Now they are comparing their natural capital performance with others. There was positive feedback from early communications with investors and stakeholders, and they publicly shared their natural and social capital performance in their annual reports before it was a mandatory requirement.

Now, all over the world, corporate governance standards require companies to measure their natural and social capital performance, and track their contribution to the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This growing momentum is also fueling the arrival of more standardised and generally-agreed methodologies and datasets that support the use of the Protocol. There are well-established sector guides that complement the Protocol and are increasingly refined and used as sector benchmarks.

It’s only a few years later but already our coffee company, and others like them across a range of other industries, are using these recognized methodologies to produce comparable results on their natural capital performance.

This means that investors, regulators, capital markets and stock exchanges are able to recognize and reward the companies that are managing natural capital better than their competitors.

2050: Integrated capitalism that redefines value

In our vision, every company in the future, is measuring, valuing and accounting for their natural and social capital information. The worldwide momentum to include this information (for the benefit of both businesses and for investors) has boomed over the past two decades, and now this information is a standard requirement in corporate reporting. It’s called integrated capitalism, and it has become the new normal.

In integrated capitalism, value is not limited to “future cash flows”. It’s based on integrating externalities to calculate the returns on financial, social and natural capital.

In the future, it will become mandatory for all companies to account for natural and social capital through standardised accounting rules, just as they do for financial capital.

Integrated capitalism is the transformation of the original concept of the triple bottom line of “People, Planet and Profit”. Companies optimize the balance and longevity of returns on all three capitals, and they’re transparent about the trade-offs that inevitably need to be made between them.

Our coffee company is still at the head of their industry. Their journey began way back in 2016 and in the years since then, they led the field by systematically integrating natural and social capital into their decision-making and performance management.

It’s because they were flexible enough to act on and absorb advancements in the measurement and valuation of natural capital. And it’s because they were bold enough to communicate with stakeholders on their performance in natural and social capital even when it was still only voluntary.

The future can be shaped and belongs to all of us. Through collaboration, methodology sharing and longer term thinking, we can accelerate progress to a world where more sustainable companies are recognized and rewarded. After that, the future is ours to decide.

Disclaimer: Articles in this series are submitted by people who work in organizations who are part of the Natural Capital Coalition, or people who are involved in the natural capital space more generally, the views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of The Natural Capital Coalition, other Coalition organizations, or the organization that employs the author.

Follow Peter Bakker on Twitter: @MPB_WBCSD
Keep up to date with WBCSD on Twitter: @wbcsd

Peter Bakker is President & CEO – World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Ambassador Against Hunger – UN World Food Programme, Chairman – War Child, Co-Chair – Redefining the Role of Business for Sustainable Development UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and Vice-Chairman – International Integrated Reporting Council.

Mr. Bakker is a distinguished business leader who, until June 2011, was the CEO of TNT NV, the Netherlands-based holding company of TNT Express and Royal TNT Post. Under his leadership TNT rose to the forefront of Corporate Responsibility via a ground-breaking partnership with the UN World Food Program and ambitious CO2 reduction targets from its Planet Me initiative, holding multiple-year top-ranking positions in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Mr. Bakker is the recipient of Clinton Global Citizen Award (2009); SAM Sustainability Leadership Award (2010); and has been an Ambassador Against Hunger for the UN World Food Programme since 2011. In addition he is the Chairman of War Child Netherlands.

On 13th July 2016, The Natural Capital Coalition will launch a standardized framework for business to identify, measure and value their impacts and dependencies on natural capital. This ‘Natural Capital Protocol’ has been developed through a unique collaborative process; a World Business Council for Sustainable Development consortium led on the technical development and an IUCN consortium led on business engagement and piloting. The Protocol is supported by practically focused ‘Sector Guides’ on Apparel and Food & Beverage produced by Trucost on behalf of Coalition.

Keep up to date with the Natural Capital Coalition on Twitter: @NatCapCoalition

Keep up to date with our series on natural capital here.

www.naturalcapitalcoalition.org

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Finally, the rumor we’ve been waiting for: Google is working on its own line of smartphones that could be available by the end of the year.

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