A week before the start of COP26, endowments, portfolios, and pension funds worth just shy of $40 trillion have now committed to full or partial abstinence from coal, gas, and oil stocks. That’s larger than the gross domestic product of the United States and China combined. New York Times, October 26, 2021
The U.S. truck driver shortage stands at 80,000 today and is on track to double by 2030. Truck drivers move 71% of the U.S. economy’s goods but represent just 4% of the vehicles on the roads. CNN, October 19, 2021
Eighty-seven countries, representing over 90% of global GDP, are now exploring the development of a central bank digital currency. Atlantic Council
The United States has just 8 public toilets for every 100,000 people, a rate that ties the country with Botswana in terms of access to facilities. Bloomberg, November 5, 2021
In 2020 and 2021, a whopping 13,250 apartments across the country have come from repurposed offices. Former office buildings make up 41% of the apartment conversion market, which also includes old hotels, warehouses, factories, and even hospitals. The renovations can cost up to 40% less than new construction. Axios, November 11, 2021
The U.S. international trade deficit for goods and services surged 11.2% in September to a new record high of $80.9 billion. MarketWatch, November 4, 2021
“The problem is more and more of our imports are coming from overseas.” George Bush