Remember Innovations?  First issued this past March, Innovations: Technology | Governance | Globalization is a relatively new journal from MIT Press about people using technology and new modes of organization to address global challenges.  I wrote about it on NextBillion back then, after Phil Auerswald graciously sent over a pre-publication copy.  At the time, I called it "a must-read for anyone interested in creative, local solutions to the world's problems", and suggested that "its content bridges the gap between 'whatever works' BOP practice and rigorous academic analysis."  More than six months later, I stand by my assessment, in part due to their upcoming issue's focus: microfinance and technology.

Those of us interested in reading more about microfinance and technology will have to wait until next March, but I’m sure there are plenty of NextBillion readers who are practitioners in this emerging field.  If so, consider submitting a paper.  Nick Sullivan, whose forthcoming book You Can Hear Me Now focuses on the impact of cell phone companies in development, is also publisher of Innovations.  He sent over some general criteria for submission:

(This post continues past the break; click "Read More" to continue)

"Most companies routinely fail to recognize the link between healthy ecosystems and their business interests...Business simply cannot function if ecosystems and the services they deliver--like water, biodiversity, food, fibre and climate regulation--are degraded or out of balance."

SocialFunds.com published a great story today reminding readers of the fundamental importance of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment's findings: that, essentially, "Business and ecosystem services are inextricably linked." The days when we can pretend profits and environmental stability are independent of each other are quickly fading, and the private sector stands at a crossroads where it will have to decide whether or not to take global challenges such as loss of biodiversity seriously.

To offer a ray of optimism, I and the rest of the New Ventures team sifted through our portfolio to find ten of the best examples of entrepreneurs who have not only decided to address these ecological challenges, but have found a profitable market opportunity in creating scalable solutions.