Miles Spencer, Author at Wild coast magazine

18 May

An asteroid discovered days ago will narrowly miss Earth

Miles SpencerScience and Technology

A recently detected asteroid will pass relatively close to Earth this Monday, attracting the interest of astronomers and space agencies worldwide. Even with the narrow cosmic distance, experts stress that the object poses no risk to the planet and will proceed safely along its trajectory through space.Astronomers are closely monitoring an asteroid known as 2026JH2, a rocky object expected to glide past Earth at an estimated distance of about 91,593 kilometers, roughly 56,900 miles. According to calculations from the European Space Agency, its trajectory will bring it to nearly one quarter of the usual gap between Earth and the moon,…

Burkina Faso: CSR initiatives supporting maternal health and safe water access

13 May

Supporting maternal health and safe water through CSR in Burkina Faso

Miles SpencerSocial Responsibility

Burkina Faso continues to confront enduring public health issues, as maternal mortality remains elevated by global benchmarks, with recent estimates placing the ratio in the lower hundreds per 100,000 live births (figures differ depending on source and year). Access to safely managed drinking water and essential sanitation varies widely: urban centers enjoy far stronger coverage than rural areas, where numerous health facilities also struggle with inconsistent water and sanitation services. Maternal health is closely tied to the availability of safe water, since clean water, reliable sanitation, and hygiene within both health facilities and communities directly lower infection risks, support healthier…

Monterrey, in Mexico: Why nearshoring decisions hinge on suppliers, talent, and infrastructure

12 May

Monterrey, Mexico nearshoring: a focus on suppliers, talent, and infrastructure

Miles SpencerEconomy

Monterrey, Mexico, is a manufacturing and logistics powerhouse that sits at the intersection of North American supply chains and Mexico’s industrial heartland. As companies evaluate nearshoring — moving production closer to end markets, especially the United States and Canada — decisions often hinge on three tightly linked factors: the local supplier ecosystem, the available talent pool, and the quality of physical and soft infrastructure. Each factor affects cost, speed-to-market, resilience, and long-term competitiveness. The Monterrey metropolitan area, home to roughly 5 million people and one of Mexico’s top three economic centers, exemplifies how these elements combine to shape nearshoring outcomes.Supplier…

Denmark: How companies use circular design to reduce cost and supply risk

11 May

Denmark’s circular design approach: lowering expenses and mitigating supply risk

Miles SpencerEconomy

Denmark has emerged as a proving ground for circular design thanks to its concentrated industrial landscape, long-standing design culture, sophisticated recycling systems, and policies that promote efficient resource use. Danish companies apply circular design not only to shrink their ecological footprint, but also to lower expenses, strengthen supply chain resilience, and create fresh revenue opportunities. The following highlights how circular design is put into practice in Denmark, presenting specific corporate examples, varied approaches, measurable results, and actionable insights for other organizations.Understanding circular design and its significance for cost and supply vulnerabilitiesCircular design is a product- and system-level approach that prioritizes…

11 May

The concept of digital fast fashion

Miles SpencerCulture and Entertainment

Digital fast fashion represents a rising movement within the fashion sector, marked by the swift creation and delivery of apparel enabled by digital technology and online channels, and while traditional fashion timelines may stretch from months to years before reaching shoppers, digital fast fashion frequently compresses that process into only a few weeks, relying on advanced digital systems, artificial intelligence, and streamlined e-commerce experiences to satisfy customer expectations with near‑instant responsiveness.The Rise of Digital Fast FashionShifting consumer expectations in the digital era serve as a major catalyst for digital fast fashion. Thanks to the internet and social media, people can…

The Gambia: agriculture CSR advancing fair value chains and rural training

05 May

The Gambia: enhancing agriculture with CSR, fair value chains, and rural training

Miles SpencerSocial Responsibility

Agriculture remains at the heart of livelihoods, employment, and food security in The Gambia, a small nation in West Africa where smallholder farmers largely shape the production of staple and cash crops, including groundnuts, rice, millet, maize, vegetables, and fruit. The sector contributes about one quarter of the country’s gross domestic product and underpins most rural employment. As a result, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs focused on agriculture can yield significant social impact while strengthening supply chains and opening pathways for sustainable commercial growth.What fair value chains mean for Gambian agricultureFair value chains focus on ensuring value is shared fairly,…

What metrics best capture the quality of an energy transition project?

04 May

The Best Metrics for Energy Transition Project Evaluation

Miles SpencerInvestments and Business

Energy transition projects seek to steer energy systems toward low‑carbon, resilient, and fair results, and quality in this setting extends far beyond technical delivery or added capacity; it indicates how well a project produces climate gains, economic value, social advantages, and durable system robustness, and capturing this quality calls for a well‑rounded group of metrics that evaluate outcomes across environmental, technical, financial, social, and governance areas.Climate and Environmental Impact MetricsMost energy transition initiatives are designed to curb environmental impact while still fulfilling energy demands, and well-executed ventures deliver clear, verifiable climate gains.Greenhouse gas emissions avoided: Reported in tons of carbon…

Why power grids are a bottleneck for clean energy

27 Apr

Single Energy Supplier Dependence: What You Need to Know

Miles SpencerInternational

Relying on a single energy supplier means that a household, business, community, or country obtains most or all of its energy—electricity, natural gas, heating fuel, or critical components for renewable systems—from one source. That source may be a single company, a single foreign country, a single fuel type, or a single supply chain node. Dependence concentrates risk: supply interruptions, price spikes, operational failures, policy shifts, or geopolitical events affecting that supplier can have outsized effects on consumers and systems.Forms of Reliance on a Sole SupplierSingle company or utility: A monopoly or dominant supplier providing electricity, gas, or district heating to…

23 Apr

How do investors assess regulatory risk in biotech and pharmaceuticals?

Miles SpencerInvestments and Business

Regulatory risk is one of the most critical variables investors evaluate when allocating capital to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. These industries are uniquely dependent on government agencies for product approval, labeling, manufacturing standards, and post-market surveillance. A single regulatory decision can determine whether a drug becomes a blockbuster, remains delayed for years, or never reaches patients at all.From an investor’s perspective, regulatory risk describes the likelihood that a product or company may encounter postponed approvals, limiting conditions, unforeseen compliance expenses, or even full rejection, and evaluating this risk calls for a blend of scientific understanding, regulatory expertise, and financial assessment.The…

Brunei: energy CSR promoting efficiency and environmental education in schools

23 Apr

Brunei Energy CSR: Promoting Efficiency & Environmental Education in Schools

Miles SpencerSocial Responsibility

Brunei Darussalam, endowed with abundant oil and gas reserves, maintains an economy and public sector finances that remain deeply linked to hydrocarbon output. Within this landscape, energy companies carry a significant social role and accompanying obligations. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that emphasize energy efficiency and environmental education in schools generate a wide range of advantages: public institutions can lower operating expenses, greenhouse gas emissions decline, young people gain greater climate awareness, and companies deepen their community engagement. Thoughtfully crafted efforts connect national development goals, school wellbeing, and corporate credibility while supporting Brunei’s aim to broaden social progress beyond its…