Renate Buchner | Journalist | Pilot | Photographer
21 March: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Dealing with Racism in the Economy
When we hear about racism, discrimination, and inequality, we might think, "That doesn't affect me because I haven't experienced it." It often feels distant from our lives, even though these problems are global. However, when we realize the true cost of racism—to all of us—perhaps it's time to pay attention. Let's face it: we love money. The more we have, the more secure we feel. Who doesn't share that feeling?
It starts with awareness, learning, and reading about the business and economic media coverage gives us the first clue. But here starts the challenge: According to a study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), only 0.2 percent of the 7,920 most-read articles in economic journals over the past ten years address topics such as race, racial inequality, and racism, compared to 2.0 percent on income distribution. For a more in-depth look, the 2025 study (Race-related research in economics) published by ECONOMICA is recommended.
In his 2020 article "What Racism Cost Us All," published by the IMF, economist Joseph Losavio pointed out that systemic racism has the following consequences: "The wealth gap between white and Black Americans is expected to cost the US economy $1 to $1.5 trillion in lost consumption and investment between 2019 and 2028. This corresponds to a projected GDP decline of 4 to 6 percent in 2028 (Noel et al. 2019)."
From joy and sadness to annoyance, my photographs explore the nuances of animal emotions.
March 3rd is World Wildlife Day.
Our civilization sometimes forgets the immense sacrifices made by individuals in prior centuries to conserve nature, such as the Bishnoi people of the 1730s, when 363 men, women, and children sacrificed themselves to protect their Khejri trees. They are considered the first environmentalists.
The 1800s marked so many key milestones that it was very hard to include them all; I chose some for my timeline infographic, "The Birth of Conservation," that impacted how people perceived conservation.
HAPPY RESEARCHING
BEYOND JOURNAL Blog
Combating poaching is our mission | Left: Renate Buchner | Jana Meyer - Helicopter Pilot | Lola Reid Allin - Award Photographer
The start of the project "Chula Rusinga Biodiversity" | Left: Director Victor Odula | Erick Ogada | Francis Thure | Agnes Atheno | Sharon Bismark | Journalist Renate Buchner
My work explores the impact of war on agriculture and the ecosystem, the effects of climate change on our food system, the role of female pilots in aviation, and how some communities address challenges through conservation.
Check out my "Embark on" section to learn about my experience as a member of Whirly-Girls International Female Helicopter Pilots and how a small team in Kenya is working to create change in their community through biodiversity projects and efforts to restore a degraded environment.
"Reading Renate Buchner´s story of poaching in South Africa underlines the fragility of life on the planet and our ability to do something about it"
A Day of Resilience
In "A Day of Resilience," my historical fiction short tale published on Reedsy, I describe a character who sees an event and suffers the consequences, emphasizing the value of
FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY.
What is your greatest value?
My value is "Freedom." The freedom to select where I want to continue my education, the freedom to travel to countries, the freedom of expression, and the FREEDOM to vote for the party whose policies I believe will lead to a better, more valuable future.
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