Data points.

For the love of puppies

While crytocurrencies have had their value driven up recently by hordes of eager buyers, they are not the only assets worth investing in. Same can be said for cockapoos. Till the start of December, Bitcoin's value has risen by about 170 per cent. Surprisingly, in United Kingdom, the value of a Yorkshire terrier is up by the same amount. One could argue that it is a price worth paying for given the returns of mental well-being that a loving puppy can provide. In the West, pets have become more expensive as lonely homeworkers clamour for companionship during the pandemic. Furthermore, remote working has made caring for furry friends a lot easier, resulting in demand outstripping supply. So much so that in the UK in April and early May, there were more than 400 buyers for every pet advertised, according to Pets4Homes, a digital platform that connects breeders and rescue shelters with those who would like to bring home an animal.

(Adapted from 'What's a Better Bet, Bitcoin or a Cockapoo?' published by Bloomberg Opinion on December 4, 2020)

The pitfalls of remote work

In recent years, big names such as IMB, Yahoo! and AT and T implemented expansive remote-work programmes that were eventually abandoned after disappointing results. Poor employee communication, lack of motivation and performance, lower creativity and innovation have been some of the obstacles faced in the past. There is good reason why US tech giants have invested in lavish campuses and free meals in recent decades as a way to encourage rich, in-person, spontaneous, non-work interactions since these build a culture of innovation. The lesson here is that even fully remote teams need to regularly gather for in-person interactions. The remote work pioneer Upwork recommends building in plans for face-to-face time as 'we are not machines, after all'. This need will pull many workers back to office once the pandemic is brought under control.

(Adapted from 'Glassdoor Workplace Trends 2021 - 5 Trends Reshaping How We Work After Covid-19' By Andrew Chamberlain, published by Glassdoor on November 19, 2020)

Climate change and decreasing fresh water

The Arabian Sea has risen by 1.1mm during the...