Climate, Sovereign Debt, and Economic Stability

Analyzing the connections between financial stability, debt sustainability, and climate finance, with a focus on Global South nations.

• “Real Constraints.” The Break—Down, Merling, L. (2025).

• "Greenwashing Structural Adjustment." Phenomenal World, Merling, L. (2024).

• "Climate policy at the International Monetary Fund: No voice for the vulnerable?" Global Policy, Merling, L., & Forster, T. (2024).

• "The Rising Cost of Debt: An Obstacle to Achieving Climate and Development Goals." Center for Economic and Policy Research, Merling, L., Vasic-Lalovic, I., Valle Cuellar, L., & Huerta Ojeda, A. (2024).

• "Taking Responsibility: Towards a Fit for Purpose Loss and Damage Fund." UNCTAD, Merling, L., Gallogly-Swan, K., Meadway, J., & Stabinsky, D. (2023).

• "Remaking Multilateralism for a Development-Centered Climate Agenda: Takeaways from COP27 and the G20 Summit." BU GDP Center, Merling, L. (2022).

Rethinking Global Economic Governance & Financial Architecture

Examining the role of international financial institutions, reforming fiscal and monetary policies, and advocating for just economic alternatives.

• "Adapting Our Financial Architecture in a Crisis-Prone World: A Civil Society Proposal for Special Drawing Rights Reform." ActionAid USA, Merling, L., Sward, J., & Amerasinghe, N. (2024).

• "80 Years Post Bretton Woods, It’s Time for Just Finance." Devex, Merling, L., Sward, J., & Amerasinghe, N. (2024).

• "Special Drawing Rights: The Right Tool to Use to Respond to the Pandemic and Other Challenges." Challenge, Cashman, K., Arauz, A., & Merling, L. (2022).

• "Developing Countries Need IMF Funds Now, Not Later." Initiative for Policy Dialogue, Columbia University, Merling, L. (2021).

• "Reforming the IMF for a Resilient Recovery." International Trade Union Confederation, Merling, L. (2021).

Trade, Labor, and Economic Justice

Exploring trade and investment policies, labor rights, and economic sovereignty from a political economy perspective.

• "America First?" The Polycrisis, Phenomenal World, Merling, L., & Mackenzie, K. (2024).

• "Puerto Rico’s New Fiscal Plan: Certain Pain, Uncertain Gain." Center for Economic and Policy Research, Merling, L., & Johnston, J. (2018).

• "Life After Debt in Puerto Rico: How Many More Lost Decades?" Center for Economic and Policy Research, Merling, L., & Cashman, K. (2017).

• "Puerto Rico’s Colonial Legacy and Its Continuing Economic Troubles." CEPR, Merling, L. (2018).

• "Congress: Remember Puerto Rico Needs Fair Medicaid Funding Too." The Hill, Merling, L. (2017).

Public Speaking & Policy Engagement

• Sovereign Debt and Climate Finance Conference, May 2024, University of Massachusetts Amherst

• Reimagining the IMF Quota System for Africa, April 2024, Oxfam America

• INET-YSI Conference on Debt Sustainability, May 2023, Boston University

• IMF and World Bank Civil Society Forum: Uses and Impacts of SDRs in Developing Countries: Advancing Climate Action and the 2030 Agenda, April 2023, IMF

• IMF and the Legacy of Bretton Woods, July 2023, Phenomenal World

• UN Internet Governance Forum: Digital policy making from below, December 2021, UN Internet Governance Forum

• Integrating Trade and Decent Work: Assessing the impact of trade on labour markets, October 2021, ILO

• What you need to know about “austerity”. December 2020, Marketplace Radio