Climate-related wildfires are once again making headlines as they rage across the northern hemisphere this summer. New IIASA research shows that addressing social and economic vulnerability across countries will be a key factor in mitigating the scale of resulting financial damage and emphasize sustainable development as key to reducing climate-related impacts.

People are more likely to do something good for others when they understand the consequences of their actions and would feel guilty if they made a less prosocial choice. This finding comes from a new international study conducted in 20 countries, which also found that people often avoid guilt by deliberately ignoring the impact of their decisions. Surprisingly, shame about what others might think had little effect on social behaviour.

Researchers have demonstrated a new tool to improve the security of small-scale business transactions with the goal of helping ensure that businesses are paid and customers get what they pay for. The tool, which relies on blockchain-powered smart contracts, essentially serves the same function that letters of credit provide for large companies.