Society wins as Europe moves to protect an open internet
A few days ago, European regulators issued a set of historic rules which frame the future of internet access in Europe. These rules clarify how Europe’s recent net neutrality law, a sometimes unclear text which was issued at the end...
When drug approval is quick, it should not be dirty
Imagine you or a loved one have a disease. It can be treated, but only with a new medicine that is not yet available. The time it normally takes for a new drug to reach the market means it might...
Did TTIP push the EU to scrap precaution on endocrine disruptors?
Last month, the European Commission broke a promise it had made to you and all other EU citizens. The promise? That the EU will not trade away the ’precautionary principle’ to strike a trade deal with the United States (known...
Technology to the rescue of finance?
Enter ‘Fintech’ into your favourite search engine. You will discover a whole universe of new technologies, companies and services, all set to revolutionise the way consumers manage their personal financial life. Smart apps and on-line platforms offer consumers tailored banking,...
Why we must stop geo-blocking for audiovisual services
Geo-blocking is perhaps the most controversial element of the European Commission’s Digital Single Market agenda because it is about challenging a status quo. In an article recently published in POLITICO Europe, Michael Ryan, chairman of the Independent Film and Television...
Why digital can’t replace cash
We live in a digital era where smartphones rule. These intelligent devices offer consumers instant and convenient access to information, services, shopping, banking and payments. So a logical question is to ask whether banknotes and coins still have a role...
Can consumers easily produce their own electricity?
For 80% of households in Europe, it would be cheaper to produce their own electricity than to purchase it from an electricity company. How? By installing solar panels. And just imagine how much cleaner the energy market would be if...
A trans fat-free future
You’ve probably heard of saturated fats in butter, omega 3 in fish, healthy fats in olive oil. But have you ever heard of trans fatty acids (TFAs)? Also called ‘trans fats’ [1], they can hide in processed foods such as...
Finance: when more education isn’t the answer
Most people struggle with the basics of retail finance. Apart from the number-crunching, it is an area packed full of jargon. Many financial products are constantly evolving and getting increasingly complex. This is hugely problematic. Decisions like taking a mortgage...
Fat is not fate: it’s time to act in Europe
Europe is getting fatter. One in two adults and one in three children are either obese or overweight. Having kilos to spare is one of the major risk factors for developing ‘lifestyle diseases’ such as heart disease, type II diabetes...