January 2026 - Page 2 of 5 - Wild coast magazine

Hydration: signs you’re drinking less than you need

24 Jan

Dehydration Signs: Are You Drinking Enough Water?

The importance of staying hydratedWater is a key component of every cell, tissue, and organ. It helps regulate body temperature, transport nutrients, remove waste, maintain blood volume and pressure, and support biochemical reactions. Even small shortfalls in fluid balance affect physical performance, cognitive function, digestion, and mood. Because the feeling of thirst can lag behind actual need, many people are chronically underhydrated without noticing gradual declines in function.How much fluid do you really need?Recommendations vary by age, sex, activity, climate, and health status. Typical reference points:Average daily total water intake (from foods and drinks) generally reaches about 3.7 liters for…

person putting rolled banknotes in glass jar

24 Jan

Mastering Break-Even Point Calculations

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

The term break-even point (BEP) is fundamental in both financial analysis and day-to-day business decision-making. It signifies the moment at which a company's total revenues precisely equal its total costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss. Businesses surpassing this threshold begin to realize profits, whereas those below are operating at a loss. Establishing the break-even point is crucial for entrepreneurs, investors, and managers, as it guides pricing strategies, operational decisions, and risk assessments.Key Elements That Contribute to a Break-Even AnalysisTo fully grasp the break-even point, one needs to differentiate between fixed costs and variable costs:Fixed Costs: These remain constant regardless…

Dominica: hotel CSR supporting climate resilience and forest conservation

17 Jan

Dominica: Hotel CSR for Climate Resilience & Forest Conservation

Roger W. WatsonSocial Responsibility

Dominica, often known as the Caribbean’s “Nature Island,” features rugged forested peaks, abundant freshwater networks, and a remarkable array of native flora and fauna, all of which underpin its tourism industry while also placing it on the forefront of climate threats such as powerful storms, landslides, shoreline retreat, and shifting rainfall patterns. Across Dominica, hotels and resorts are increasingly turning corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments into concrete measures that reinforce climate resilience, protect forest ecosystems, and maintain both community livelihoods and the quality of visitor experiences.Why hotels matter for Dominica’s resilience and forestsEconomic leverage: Tourism is a major employer and…

Nominations open for The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2026 by AEON Environmental Foundation and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

17 Jan

AEON Environmental Foundation: MIDORI Prize 2026 Nominations

Roger W. WatsonSocial Responsibility

As natural systems face unprecedented pressure, recognizing those who drive meaningful advances has become essential for safeguarding life across the planet.The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity highlights these efforts and extends their impact throughout the world.The global community continues to seek effective ways to halt and reverse biodiversity loss while addressing interconnected challenges such as climate change, food security, and human well-being. Within this context, international recognition initiatives play a crucial role in elevating successful approaches, sharing knowledge, and inspiring action across sectors and borders. One such initiative is the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity, an international award dedicated to honoring individuals…

17 Jan

Americans are paying more than ever for cars. Cheap models are disappearing

Roger W. WatsonInvestments and Business

For many Americans, owning a new car under $20,000 has become a thing of the past. As entry-level models disappear from dealer lots, the average cost of a new vehicle has skyrocketed, leaving lower-income buyers with fewer options and reshaping the automotive landscape.In 2024, US shoppers could still find a small selection of vehicles listed for under $20,000, but today not a single new model falls beneath that price point. Recent estimates from Kelley Blue Book indicate that buyers paid an average of $50,326 for a new car in December 2025, setting a new record, while Edmunds reported a slightly…

Bahrain: finance CSR cases expanding inclusion and household financial education

17 Jan

Bahrain’s Finance Sector CSR: Focus on Inclusion and Household Literacy

Roger W. WatsonSocial Responsibility

Bahrain has positioned itself as a compact but influential financial hub in the Gulf, combining a well-established banking sector, an early-adopter regulator for fintech, and an ecosystem of development agencies. This mix creates opportunities for corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that go beyond philanthropy to actively expand financial inclusion and improve household financial capability. Financial inclusion in Bahrain is driven by three structural advantages: high digital and mobile penetration, a dense network of retail banks and insurers, and active public agencies (development banks and labor support agencies) that link finance to social policy.Institutional and regulatory driversCentral and development institutions play…

Why Venezuela’s opposition leader Machado is betting her political future on Trump

17 Jan

Venezuela’s Opposition Leader Machado: Trump’s Hope?

Roger W. WatsonInternational

Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado arrives in Washington amid tense negotiations over her country’s future. Her visit coincides with U.S. debates over Venezuela’s leadership following Nicolás Maduro’s removal from power.Machado’s arrival in the U.S. capital follows a volatile year in Venezuelan politics, marked by shifting power and uncertainty. Only a year earlier, she had been on the campaign trail in Caracas, working to rally citizens against Maduro as he entered a third term despite disputed election outcomes. Although her candidate, Edmundo González, was widely reported to have secured a clear victory, Maduro’s administration…

16 Jan

Trump and northeastern governors push for massive electricity auction to make tech giants defray costs

Roger W. WatsonEconomy

As electricity demand accelerates across the United States, a new proposal has placed the energy consumption of large technology companies at the center of a broader debate about infrastructure, affordability and responsibility. What began as a technical discussion about grid capacity has evolved into a political and economic question with nationwide implications.The administration of Donald Trump, joined by a coalition of northeastern state governors, has called on PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid operator, to weigh the option of convening a special electricity auction aimed at securing fresh long-term energy supplies while shifting a greater share of the financial…

When a credit report can hurt your chances of being hired

16 Jan

When Your Credit History Becomes a Hiring Hurdle

Roger W. WatsonEconomy

A background check can ultimately determine whether a job offer moves forward, yet the guidelines defining what employers are allowed to examine are changing quickly. Throughout the United States, credit history is losing traction as a hiring criterion, signaling a wider reassessment of fairness, relevance and personal privacy in employment practices.For decades, employers have relied on background checks to evaluate candidates beyond their résumés and interviews. These checks can include criminal records, verification of education and employment, reference checks and, in some cases, a review of an applicant’s credit history. The underlying assumption has often been that past financial behavior…

Trump has tariffs. Europe has a trade bazooka. This Greenland standoff could get ugly, fast

16 Jan

Trump’s Tariffs & Europe’s Trade Bazooka: A Greenland Crisis

Roger W. WatsonEconomy

A new round of tariff threats has intensified economic uncertainty across the Atlantic, raising concerns that trade disputes could spill over into broader financial and political consequences. What began as a diplomatic standoff now risks becoming a structural challenge for two of the world’s most interconnected economies.The latest warnings issued by Donald Trump have reignited fears of a trade confrontation between the United States and several European nations. By signaling the possible imposition of new tariffs on imports from a group of Northern and Western European countries, the administration has placed fresh pressure on supply chains, corporate planning and diplomatic…