Our World 2.0 is brought to you by the United Nations University and asks the question: What can we do when faced with complex, inter-connected and pressing problems like climate change, oil depletion, food security and biodiversity?

In responding to these challenges, innovation will be the key. This webzine and series of video briefs will report on and analyze these innovations in order to inspire people to learn.

And while understanding is a precursor to motivation, innovation and technology alone will not solve these problems. These are just examples of how to bring about change. A global priority shift is perhaps first necessary, so we must consider the question: Why change? And you are best placed to answer this.

Our World 2.0 speaks to you, the general public and shares stories on how and why we can re-make this world into a newer, better version.

For Our World 2.0, the central tenet is that we can use our collective knowledge, technology and design to facilitate creativity, innovation, and, most notably, collaboration amongst people.

Our World 2.0 is a conversation. It is your opportunity to have a say and to share your ideas.

Our World 2.0 motivates people to take action and illustrates how this action can bring immediate benefits in terms of their money, health and overall lifestyle.

Who are we?

The United Nations University is a think tank for the UN system. Established by the UN General Assembly, the UNU’s mission is to undertake research on pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare.

The University enjoys autonomy within the framework of the United Nations. The UNU also enjoys academic freedom, with particular reference to the choice of subjects and methods of research and training, the selection of persons and institutions to share in our tasks, and freedom of expression.

Through Our World 2.0, the United Nations University offers a credible, objective and independent voice on these important topics.

Credits (alphabetical order)

Brendan Barrett
Head, UNU Media Studio

Kaori Brand
Producer, UNU Media Studio

Oleg Butuzov
Programmer

Jason Hall
IT Systems, UNU Media Studio

David Jimenez
Graphic Designer, UNU Media Studio

Rie Hayafune
Assistant, UNU Media Studio

Megumi V. Nishikura
Producer, UNU Media Studio

Mark Notaras
Writer/Editor, UNU Media Studio
& UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace

Luis Patron
Producer, UNU Media Studio

Carol Smith
Writer/Editor, UNU Media Studio

Citt Williams
Producer, UNU Media Studio

Sean Wood
Creative Director, UNU Media Studio

UNU Contributors

Obijiofor Aginam
UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace

Miguel Esteban
UNU Institute of Advanced Studies

Darek Gondor
UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace

Claudia ten Have
UNU Institute of Advanced Studies

Dorthe H. Holm
UNU Geothermal Training Programme

Mio Horiuchi
UNU Institute of Advanced Studies

Kalle Huebner
UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace

Toshiya Kai
UNU Institute of Advanced Studies

René Kemp
UNU-MERIT

Alva Lim
UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace

Kirsty Galloway McLean
UNU Institute of Advanced Studies

Anne McDonald
Director of UNU Institute of Advanced Studies OUIK

Johanna Stratton
UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace

Aki Suwa
UNU Institute of Advanced Studies

Kazuhiko Takeuchi, Vice Rector
UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace

Chun Knee Tan
Global Environment Information Centre

Christian Webersik
UNU Institute of Advanced Studies

Koko Warner
UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security

Other Contributing Writers

Anna Collins
Green Belt Movement International

Adam Darragh
Stetson University

Alex Evans
Center on International Cooperation at New York University

Hope He
Student, Harbin Institute of Technology, China

Andreina Lairet
Freelance writer, photographer and film maker

David Leary
Faculty of Law at the University of New South Wales

Hirotaka Matsuda
Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science, University of Tokyo

Hiroshi Nakada
Mayor, Yokohama City

Yasuyoshi Ozawa
Cattle rancher, Brazil

Ursula Rakova
Tulele Peisa

Raj Raghavan
Red Elephant Projects

Trent Rhode
Ecological designer, Ontario, Canada

David Runnalls
International Institute for Sustainable Development

Tomoya Shibayama
Yokohama National University

Dexter Thompson-Pomeroy
Columbia University

Jonathan Wright
Thompson Small Farm

Lilian Yamamoto
Kanagawa University

Dean Munuggullumurr Yibarbuk
Warddeken Land Management Limited

Administration

Taeko Okada
UNU Programme Support