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Japan's struggle to avert a nuclear disaster and prepare for a reconstruction of epic proportions is one more risk for a global economy already grappling with mounting risks. The threats to the fragile recovery were already rising before the devastating earthquake and tsunami brought the world's third-largest industrial economy to its knees. And they span the globe - from conflict and oil disruptions in the Middle East and rising inflation in China and other high-growth emerging economies to continuing debt woes in Europe and persistent weakness in U.S. housing and employment, whose recovery is essential to any sustained U.S. rebound. Adding to the wall of worry, governments have pulled the plug on massive stimulus programs, which played a crucial role in turning around economic fortunes in the wake of the 2008 financial meltdown and ensuing recession. Are these symptoms of an upcoming recession?

Over the weekend there were proposals that Germany and the other 5 AAA-rated nations of Europe might start jointly issuing 'Elite' bonds. Pound rates are today being driven by attitude to risk - and what a morning it has been. Equity markets have surged, and risk associated currencies such as the Australian dollar have moved higher.

A study made by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and HSBC 's Climate Change Center of Excellence in Southeast Asia found out that the largest thermal and hydroelectric powerplants were located in areas greatly suffering from water scarcity. This poses a major problem since these power plants heavily rely on water.

"Nine of the 10 countries with the lowest Human Development Indicators have experienced conflict in the last 20 years. Countries facing stark inequality and weak institutions are at increased risk of conflict." The United Nations Security Council on Friday unanimously issued a statement pointing out a close link between international security and economic development.

Updated March 21, 2011 12:27:44 The US dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen on Friday, after Japan and its Group of Seven partners stepped in to help the central bank force down the value of the currency. In a rare move, the powerful G7 agreed to a joint intervention to stabilize foreign exchange markets. A strong yen risks further destabilising Japan's economy

This article discusses the risks and benefits of a price control set on oil prices in typhoon-hit areas. There is quite an extensive discussion on why it is a bad or good idea.

I choose this article because I saw it is closely related with the "commons". In this case the common is one of the mains; water. So the case is about how the overexploitation of water can be, and it is, damaging. At this particular case it talks about how the arsenic pollution due to the overexploitation of groundwater is generating serious health risks for Vietnamese population.

The tragic landslides in Brazil highlight the importance of public goods. Although, it certainly was a natural disaster the government has been criticised for not alerting people to the dangers. It was well known that this mountain in this area has a lot of rocky ground, which is impervious to water. Furthermore, rapid population growth causing the building of new housing did not improve the situation. The government failed to provide basic public goods, such as monitored flood control, efficient public drainage. "The Science and Technology Minister, Aloizio Mercadante, said five million people lived in some 800 areas considered at risk of mudslides and floods. He said it would take at least four years for a nationwide alert system to be in place."

More than 13,000 people have lost or abandoned their homes because of the disaster, government has already responded to this disaster by sending extra troops, ambulances , helicopters, first aid, food, water etc. this expenditure will be covered by tax payers money, if disaster was bigger i think government wouldn't have been able to help their people, the vivid example was the earthquake in Haiti,

There is a risk of a double-dip recession because of the chronic lack of aggregate demand and the failure of the austerity packages provided by the European countries.

This article talks mainly about all the economical problems, especially deficits, between European countries and who is to blame for it. And what should we do? Well one statement was: "it will be only a matter of time before one or more countries resort to protectionism. That could, as in the 1930s, lead to a disastrous collapse in activity around the world," He definitely prefers free trade and thinks it is important to focus on a collaborative strategy, so countries should help each other out in these hard economic times instead of work against each other.

This article discusses how the rise in oil prices will be one of the huge risk factors for another recession. High oil prices would be caused by a diminishing supply of oil. Higher prices of oil would cause inflation and since people would not be payed more, the economy would fall into another recession.