Graham Watkins
@grahamwatkins.bsky.social
Biodiversity, environment, and climate specialist having worked in Galapagos and Guyana.
Argentina’s export boom between 1880 and 1914 provides a concrete case of how rapid growth can occur when markets, institutions, and the state align to support export-led, integrated development. watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/reduc... via
@grahamwatkins.bsky.social
@grahamwatkins.bsky.social
Reducing Risk, Enabling Scale: Argentina’s Export Boom 1880-1914
Across Latin America, governments face a familiar challenge: how to accelerate growth under intense global competition, technological change, and constrained public resources. Argentina’s export boom ...
watkinsadvisory.org
February 13, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Argentina’s export boom between 1880 and 1914 provides a concrete case of how rapid growth can occur when markets, institutions, and the state align to support export-led, integrated development. watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/reduc... via
@grahamwatkins.bsky.social
@grahamwatkins.bsky.social
Countries that build the capacity to adapt, learn, and steer change will be best positioned to ensure that these transformations improve people’s lives.
The Great Shift: 2020–2070 in Latin America and the Caribbean watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/the-g...
The Great Shift: 2020–2070 in Latin America and the Caribbean watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/the-g...
The Great Shift: 2020–2070 in Latin America and the Caribbean
Chile exports US$50 billion in copper annually. At the same time, Chile imports the software that runs its mines, manages its power grid, and processes its financial transactions. By 2050, which side ...
watkinsadvisory.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Countries that build the capacity to adapt, learn, and steer change will be best positioned to ensure that these transformations improve people’s lives.
The Great Shift: 2020–2070 in Latin America and the Caribbean watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/the-g...
The Great Shift: 2020–2070 in Latin America and the Caribbean watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/the-g...
This blog distills the core lessons from past technological revolutions—what changes they drove, what drove them, and what states must do to turn disruption into development.
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/300-y...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/300-y...
300 Years of Technological Revolutions Reshaping Nations
Technological revolutions do not just introduce modern technology and business innovations. They reorganize the entire economic ecosystem. They accelerate flows of energy, materials, capital, and know...
watkinsadvisory.org
February 6, 2026 at 5:47 PM
This blog distills the core lessons from past technological revolutions—what changes they drove, what drove them, and what states must do to turn disruption into development.
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/300-y...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/300-y...
If the region is to become a more active participant in this technological wave, it is helpful to understand the consequences of past technological waves to better manage the process. watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/the-c...
The Costs of Technological Change
Latin America and the Caribbean have experienced multiple technological waves, beginning with steam and railways. The region has been more of a spectator to these waves than a participant, arriving la...
watkinsadvisory.org
February 4, 2026 at 9:23 PM
If the region is to become a more active participant in this technological wave, it is helpful to understand the consequences of past technological waves to better manage the process. watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/the-c...
Between 1970 and 2020, the world changed faster than at any other time in human history.
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/from-...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/from-...
From Microchips to Megatrends: The Global Shifts of 1970–2020
Between 1970 and 2020, the world changed faster than at any other time in human history. Microprocessors, digital sensors, personal computers, the internet, smartphones, and cloud computing all emerge...
watkinsadvisory.org
January 31, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Between 1970 and 2020, the world changed faster than at any other time in human history.
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/from-...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/from-...
The human ecosystem changed fundamentally across many countries between 1920 and 1970. Much of what we recognize in modern life emerged during this period: cars, planes, refrigerators, televisions, and container ships.
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/engin...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/engin...
Engines of Change 1920-1970 Cars, Planes, Fridges, Assembly Lines
The human ecosystem changed fundamentally across many countries between 1920 and 1970. Much of what we recognize in modern life emerged during this period: cars, planes, refrigerators, televisions, an...
watkinsadvisory.org
January 28, 2026 at 8:36 PM
The human ecosystem changed fundamentally across many countries between 1920 and 1970. Much of what we recognize in modern life emerged during this period: cars, planes, refrigerators, televisions, and container ships.
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/engin...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/engin...
One hundred and fifty years ago, countries faced challenges like those confronting Latin America and the Caribbean today.
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/third...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/third...
Third technology wave, 1870-1920: steel, electricity, & telephone
One hundred and fifty years ago, countries faced challenges like those confronting Latin America and the Caribbean today. Beginning in 1870, a group of nations chose to enter the next phase of the Ind...
watkinsadvisory.org
January 23, 2026 at 4:16 PM
One hundred and fifty years ago, countries faced challenges like those confronting Latin America and the Caribbean today.
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/third...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/third...
Between 1820 and 1880, leading industrial economies transitioned from waiting weeks for messages and materials to arrive to waiting minutes for messages and hours for materials
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/railw...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/railw...
Railways, Rail Engines, Steam Ships, and Telegraph
Between 1820 and 1880, leading industrial economies transitioned from waiting weeks for messages and materials to arrive to waiting minutes for messages and hours for materials.
watkinsadvisory.org
January 21, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Between 1820 and 1880, leading industrial economies transitioned from waiting weeks for messages and materials to arrive to waiting minutes for messages and hours for materials
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/railw...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/railw...
A window into economic transformation and technological revolutions
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/first...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/first...
First Industrial Revolution: Mines, Canals, Steam, and Textiles
watkinsadvisory.org
January 18, 2026 at 4:51 PM
A window into economic transformation and technological revolutions
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/first...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/first...
All economies change over time. Most of the time, that change is slow and incremental. But under certain conditions, an economy can shift rapidly — almost explosively — into a new mode of creating value.
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/econo...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/econo...
Economic Evolution and Revolution: Resources
All economies change over time. Most of the time, that change is slow and incremental. But under certain conditions, an economy can shift rapidly — almost explosively — into a new mode of creating val...
watkinsadvisory.org
January 14, 2026 at 2:09 AM
All economies change over time. Most of the time, that change is slow and incremental. But under certain conditions, an economy can shift rapidly — almost explosively — into a new mode of creating value.
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/econo...
watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/econo...
Variation and diversity define the world people experience every day. They are also the foundation of how economies evolve. watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/varia...
Variation Matters: Diversity Shapes Economies in Latin America
Variation and diversity define the world people experience every day. They are also the foundation of how economies evolve. Differences across people, firms, industries, and countries shape how quickl...
watkinsadvisory.org
January 9, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Variation and diversity define the world people experience every day. They are also the foundation of how economies evolve. watkinsadvisory.org/blog/f/varia...
Reposted by Graham Watkins
'Saudi Arabia’s big businesses are embracing solar power as they seek to save on energy costs after the government eliminated electricity subsidies in the world’s largest oil exporter.'
Behind a paywall but that sentence is the important part.
Behind a paywall but that sentence is the important part.
Saudi businesses turn to solar power as kingdom cuts energy subsidies
Cost savings and sustainability targets drive demand for renewables in world’s biggest oil exporter
www.ft.com
May 1, 2025 at 9:24 AM
'Saudi Arabia’s big businesses are embracing solar power as they seek to save on energy costs after the government eliminated electricity subsidies in the world’s largest oil exporter.'
Behind a paywall but that sentence is the important part.
Behind a paywall but that sentence is the important part.
Reposted by Graham Watkins
Renewables helped Spain cut electricity prices by around 20% since 2021. The EU avoided €59B in fossil fuel costs since 2019. Clean energy is the best shield against volatile energy prices.
Read more: www.e3g.org/news/clean-e...
Read more: www.e3g.org/news/clean-e...
Clean energy has already made the EU more secure – and more can be done
Clean energy is boosting the EU’s security by cutting reliance on Russian gas. Renewables, heat pumps & efficiency are key—more action is needed
www.e3g.org
April 3, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Renewables helped Spain cut electricity prices by around 20% since 2021. The EU avoided €59B in fossil fuel costs since 2019. Clean energy is the best shield against volatile energy prices.
Read more: www.e3g.org/news/clean-e...
Read more: www.e3g.org/news/clean-e...
Reposted by Graham Watkins
In this article, Sugandha Srivastav proposes diversifying energy sources by investing in heat pumps and grid-scale batteries, which can ultimately reduce costs and enhance energy security by lessening dependence on #FossilFuels.
@inetoxford.bsky.social
@inetoxford.bsky.social
UK energy bills were already high and they've just gone up again this week. In a new @lseblogs.bsky.social piece, ONZ Fellow Dr Sugandha Srivastav explains the huge impact of the gas price on what we pay for energy. blogs.lse.ac.uk/businessrevi... @oxfordsmithschool.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk
April 3, 2025 at 10:25 AM
In this article, Sugandha Srivastav proposes diversifying energy sources by investing in heat pumps and grid-scale batteries, which can ultimately reduce costs and enhance energy security by lessening dependence on #FossilFuels.
@inetoxford.bsky.social
@inetoxford.bsky.social
Reposted by Graham Watkins
China's first sovereign green bond is 8 times oversubscribed. Free to read: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
China Starts Marketing Its First Sovereign Green Bond
China raised 6 billion yuan ($826 million) in its first-ever green sovereign bond sale, highlighting the country’s ambitions to bolster its environmental credentials to investors.
www.bloomberg.com
April 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM
China's first sovereign green bond is 8 times oversubscribed. Free to read: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Graham Watkins
HISTORIC HEAT IN USA
Yesterday several towns had their April highest minimums in history like
78F Del Rio
76F Shreveport Downtown
75F Shreveport Airport
73F Ruston
Dozens/hundreds more are coming.
Temperatures typical of June-July.
Never seen that early.
Yesterday several towns had their April highest minimums in history like
78F Del Rio
76F Shreveport Downtown
75F Shreveport Airport
73F Ruston
Dozens/hundreds more are coming.
Temperatures typical of June-July.
Never seen that early.
April 3, 2025 at 11:18 AM
HISTORIC HEAT IN USA
Yesterday several towns had their April highest minimums in history like
78F Del Rio
76F Shreveport Downtown
75F Shreveport Airport
73F Ruston
Dozens/hundreds more are coming.
Temperatures typical of June-July.
Never seen that early.
Yesterday several towns had their April highest minimums in history like
78F Del Rio
76F Shreveport Downtown
75F Shreveport Airport
73F Ruston
Dozens/hundreds more are coming.
Temperatures typical of June-July.
Never seen that early.
Reposted by Graham Watkins
“90 degree days are not just coming earlier, there are a whole lot more of them. In the 1970s, Tampa used to average around 60 90-degree days per year. But now it is now closer to 120. In other words, we now have double the number!”
www.wfla.com/weather/reco...
www.wfla.com/weather/reco...
April 3, 2025 at 12:18 PM
“90 degree days are not just coming earlier, there are a whole lot more of them. In the 1970s, Tampa used to average around 60 90-degree days per year. But now it is now closer to 120. In other words, we now have double the number!”
www.wfla.com/weather/reco...
www.wfla.com/weather/reco...