Brazil has finally published its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) aimed at halting and reversing nature decline by 2030, with a focus on conserving 80% of the Amazon and eliminating deforestation in Brazilian ecosystems. The plan aligns actions on climate change and biodiversity loss, setting higher conservation goals than global targets and involving consultation with scientists, Indigenous peoples, and civil society members. Specific actions include recognizing and titling Indigenous lands, establishing ecological corridors, and implementing national strategies for ecosystem protection. Brazil's NBSAP also includes mechanisms such as biodiversity credits and a regulated carbon market to finance efforts to tackle nature loss, with a national low-carbon agriculture strategy in place to promote sustainability in the agricultural sector.
Category: FALO & Nature-Based Carbon Removal
Cut Emissions & Remove Carbon:
– Shift Agriculture Practices
– Protect & Manage Ecosystems
– Biomass Carbon Removal & Storage
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NewYork GreenCloud Acquires Buena Vista Biomass Power Facility to Launch First Carbon-Negative AI Factory
NewYork GreenCloud (NYGC) has acquired the Buena Vista Biomass Power facility in California to create a carbon-negative AI Factory, using biomass-to-pyrolysis energy systems to power an on-site AI factory with renewable energy. This redevelopment project serves as a blueprint for scalable, sustainable compute infrastructure, with NYGC, BucSha Energy, and Impact Capital Partners exploring additional sites for similar conversions in the future. The ultimate goal is to develop carbon-negative AI Factories powered by renewable energy systems to support next-generation GPU clusters, showcasing a promising step towards sustainable and climate-friendly computing solutions.
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Tree bark microbes play a role in eliminating greenhouse gases, study finds
Researchers from Southern Cross and Monash universities have discovered that microbes in trees in northern New South Wales are consuming harmful greenhouse gases like methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. This finding suggests that trees play a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere beyond just capturing carbon dioxide. The study looked at eight tree species in the Tweed Shire, finding that each species housed different microbes in its bark that fed on particular gases. The information could be used to inform decisions on the best trees to plant in specific areas to eliminate toxic gases. A recent study has revealed the potential for urban roadways lined with trees containing carbon-monoxide-eating microbes in their bark to help clean the air of vehicle emissions. The research, conducted on melaleuca wetlands on the Tweed Coast, highlights the importance of bark microbes in mitigating climate change and conservation efforts. The study also introduces new techniques for measuring gas fluxes, with global implications for understanding how trees and their bark microbiomes impact the cycling of climate-active gases. Co-lead researcher Damien Maher emphasizes that the discovery is just the beginning of expanding our knowledge of how trees and microbes interact to control Earth's climate.
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Are Nature-Based Solutions the Key to Adapting Under Uncertainty? – Global Center on Adaptation
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) are gaining momentum as a way to adapt to climate change in an uncertain future. NbS use healthy ecosystems to tackle real-world challenges, such as restoring mangroves to protect coastlines or creating wetlands to absorb floods. These solutions are multifunctional, providing multiple benefits like carbon storage, biodiversity support, and local livelihood strengthening. NbS align well with practical strategies for adaptation under uncertainty, such as providing no-regret actions, built-in flexibility, extra safety without huge costs, smarter policies, and smaller, incremental steps. Overall, NbS offer a flexible, adaptable, and low-risk approach to climate adaptation in an uncertain world. Poorly designed NbS projects can create trade-offs and make communities more vulnerable, so adaptive management and monitoring are essential. Delaying action on climate solutions carries its own risks and costs. NbS may not be a silver bullet, but they provide valuable tools for addressing climate challenges.
https://gca.org/are-nature-based-solutions-the-key-to-adapting-under-uncertainty/
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Marine conservation must begin on land
Secure coastal land rights are essential for sustainable ocean governance, as shown by examples from Fiji, Madagascar, and South Africa. Meaningful consultation with local communities is crucial for sustainable conservation efforts. Governments can pass and implement environmental impact assessment regulations that ensure community participation and access to information. The solution lies in recognizing and respecting secure tenure as the foundation of community-based management. Blue Ventures supports communities in advocating for their land rights and embedding tenure safeguards into policies related to development and marine conservation. Marine conservation begins on land, with communities that have secure land rights.
https://blueventures.org/marine-conservation-must-begin-on-land/
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Putting solar panels on land used for biofuels would produce enough electricity for all cars and trucks to go electric
The article explores the potential of repurposing land currently used for biofuels for solar panels to power electric vehicles, highlighting the shift in focus from biofuels to electric cars for low-carbon transport. Estimates suggest up to 112 million hectares are used for biofuels, with a conservative estimate of 32 million hectares. By utilizing 32 million hectares for solar power generation, it could produce enough electricity to meet the world's current consumption levels, emphasizing the efficiency and sustainability of solar power in decarbonizing transportation. The article stresses the importance of thoughtful land use for climate solutions, proposing a mix of biofuels and solar power or allowing some land to return to nature as potential solutions.
https://ourworldindata.org/biofuel-land-solar-electric-vehicles
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10 Years of Regeneration and Beyond
Regeneration International celebrated a decade of collective action and growth in their partner network, reaching over 700 organizations. They held their 5th Annual People's Food Summit, reaching 10 million people worldwide to discuss reshaping food systems. The movement expanded initiatives in Africa and Latin America, promoting healthy soils and food sovereignty. The PELUM Network in Southern and Eastern Africa marked 30 years of transformative work in agroecology and indigenous knowledge. Regeneration International also announced a Certificate Course on Agroecological, Regenerative, and Organic Agriculture in partnership with South Seas University. The Regeneration International Standard offers two certification pathways for farmers to transition to regenerative practices, focusing on principles, guidance, and continuous improvement. It prohibits synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMOs, and other harmful inputs. By supporting farmers through practical transition pathways, the standard aims to drive a global shift towards agriculture that regenerates soils, ecosystems, and communities. This is crucial in a world facing climate crises and soil degradation, where soil health is becoming an urgent priority for sustainable food production and rural economies.
https://us.engagingnetworks.app/page/email/message/view?templateId=434990
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California water district plans up to 21 GW of solar on fallowed farmland
The Westlands Water District in California has adopted the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan to develop up to 21 GW of solar generation on fallowed agricultural land in response to water shortages in the San Joaquin Valley. California law AB 2661 allows the district to repurpose the land for solar, storage, and transmission facilities, aiming to preserve agriculture viability and create economic opportunities for farmworkers. Stakeholder collaboration will be key in advancing project planning and implementation steps for this initiative, which seeks to address water scarcity while promoting sustainable solutions for the region's agricultural sector.
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Plagued by Flooding, an African City Reengineers Its Wetlands
Kigali, Rwanda is undergoing a citywide effort to rebuild nature-based infrastructure by restoring wetlands, creating wildlife corridors, parks, and bike lanes, and planting trees to address flooding issues exacerbated by climate change. The city has converted a degraded swamp into a functioning wetland, with plans to reforest hillsides and restore a larger wetland system to control floods, store carbon, and enhance biodiversity. The success of the Nyandungu Eco-Park pilot project has led to the restoration of five more degraded wetlands in the city, covering 1,200 acres. The Kigali Master Plan aims to restore and protect wetlands, while also monitoring social impacts and engaging with the local community to ensure the success of wetland restoration efforts. These efforts, including the planting of 3 million trees over five years, are crucial steps in adapting to the changing climate and reducing the impact of extreme weather events in Kigali.
https://e360.yale.edu/features/kigali-rwanda-wetland-restoration
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21 Gigawatts of Solar for California Land That Can No Longer Be Used for Agriculture
The Westlands Water District in California's San Joaquin Valley is repurposing fallowed land for solar power plants, potentially generating 21 gigawatts of solar energy. California law AB 2661 authorizes the water district to develop solar generation, battery storage, and transmission facilities, with a community benefits plan in place. This initiative aims to address the region's issues with drought, limited water supply, and agricultural needs, providing a practical approach to preserving agriculture while utilizing dry, empty land for renewable energy production.