Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: FALO & Nature-Based Carbon Removal

Cut Emissions & Remove Carbon:
– Shift Agriculture Practices
– Protect & Manage Ecosystems
– Biomass Carbon Removal & Storage

  • 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

  • 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.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/03/21-gigawatts-of-solar-for-california-land-that-can-no-longer-be-used-for-agriculture/

  • Messages of Hope and Regeneration for 2021

    A new agave-based agroforestry and livestock management system in Mexico is showing potential to regenerate drylands and alleviate rural poverty, emphasizing the importance of regenerative agriculture in addressing the climate emergency. The system highlights the benefits of native plants in trapping carbon, the return of bison to the Rosebud Reservation, and soil health practices for boosting profits. The launch of the Global Alliance for Organic Districts, supported by Regeneration International, aims to promote regenerative agriculture practices globally to revitalize local economies, restore soil fertility, nurture biodiversity, and mitigate climate change through individual donor funding.

    https://act.web-advocacy.net/page/25523/action/1

  • Converting a PhD into a global community, key learnings and roadmap – Shapeable interview

    Aaron Eger's PhD thesis chapter on Global Kelp Forest Restoration provides a comprehensive analysis of 259 restoration attempts in 16 countries over 60 years, laying the groundwork for the Kelp Forest Alliance. Founded by Eger, this alliance serves as a platform for scientific citations, member collaboration, and geo-mapping to support global efforts in kelp forest restoration. This research is crucial for climate solutions experts looking to address the decline of kelp forests and their role in carbon sequestration and marine biodiversity.

    https://kelpforestalliance.com/posts/converting-a-ph-d-into-a-global-community-key-learnings-and-roadmap-shapeable-interview

  • 2025 Highlight: Guangzhou Shows a Potential Future of Clean City Living

    Guangzhou, part of the Pearl River Delta megalopolis, showcases innovative urban planning strategies that prioritize sustainability and quality of life. The city's advanced urban design features vertical greenery, parks over shopping malls, and well-landscaped public spaces, contributing to a pleasant and livable environment. With a focus on sustainable transportation, renewable energy sources, and efficient land use, Guangzhou serves as a model for reducing emissions and promoting green living. Despite facing challenges like scooter traffic and the need for more electrification, embracing clean technology can lead to a cleaner and better future in this vibrant and technology-driven city.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/01/2025-highlight-guangzhou-shows-a-potential-future-of-clean-city-living/

  • Syrian Refugees Built Solidarity Fields in Greece. Now They’re Bringing Organic Farming Home.

    Mahmoud Barhum, a Syrian farmer, has established a volunteer nursery to distribute organic seedlings for free in an effort to promote organic agriculture in Syria, where chemical inputs have dominated farming practices. Inspired by Solidarity Fields, an organic agricultural cooperative founded by Syrian refugees in Greece, Barhum aims to reclaim abandoned land, provide work for refugees, and improve soil health. Solidarity Fields in Syria, founded by returning displaced Syrians from Greece, is working to rebuild the agriculture industry through organic farming, offering free seedlings, funding wells, and providing training programs. The initiative is gaining momentum as more local farmers like Ahmed Mohammed transition to organic farming practices, seeing improved crop quality and higher prices for their produce, ultimately promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing reliance on chemical inputs in Syria.

    https://triplepundit.com/2025/solidarity-fields-organic-farming-syria-greece/

  • Our Biggest Climate Stories of 2025

    In 2025, Civil Eats reported on the erosion of climate-friendly policies under the Biden administration, including the cancellation of conservation grants and blocking of funding for solar panels on farmland. They also highlighted the government's proposed removal of a key regulation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and examined corporate influence on climate policy. The article focused on solutions, showcasing individuals and organizations implementing effective climate-friendly practices, such as working with native seeds, growing organic buckwheat, and planting urban fruit trees. Additionally, the piece discussed the reintroduction of buffalo as a means of restoring the Western landscape and reestablishing a bond between people and the Earth.

    https://civileats.com/2025/12/30/our-biggest-climate-stories-of-2025/

  • How Mongabay’s journalism made an impact in 2025

    In 2025, Mongabay's journalism focused on empowering Indigenous and local communities by exposing illegal activities in the Amazon, highlighting conservation efforts in Colombia and Mexico, and collaborating with GI-TOC to combat illegal wildlife trade. Their reporting led to indictments and recommendations for bans on illegal practices in Brazil, as well as actions by organizations like WWF. With over 870 impacts logged throughout the year, Mongabay's work aims to hold powerful interests accountable and empower communities to defend their rights and ecosystems.

    https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/12/how-mongabays-journalism-made-an-impact-in-2025/

  • Clark Lungren and the case for compromise in conservation

    Clark Lungren, a conservationist in Burkina Faso, and a field biologist, bird specialist, and advisor in West and Central African countries, both emphasized the importance of aligning conservation efforts with local governance and incentives to ensure long-lasting impact. Lungren's strategy of granting communities controlled hunting rights in exchange for protection, initially dismissed by experts, proved durable and led to the rebound of wildlife populations in the Nazinga area. The field biologist's work focused on training local monitors, managing wildlife, and advocating for community involvement, leading to the establishment of community-managed hunting zones and the protection of wildlife corridors in the region. Both cases demonstrate that practical compromises and community involvement are key to successful conservation efforts that align with local needs and ensure sustainable practices.

    https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/clark-lungren-and-the-case-for-compromise-in-conservation/

  • Africa mulls gap in climate adaptation finance for agriculture

    African stakeholders are advocating for increased adaptation funding for smallholder farmers in the agricultural sector who are highly vulnerable to climate shocks. Despite international funding pledges, there is a significant gap of approximately $365 billion through 2035, with skepticism that other countries will fill the shortfall. Climate finance is concentrated in a few countries, leaving farmers with limited access to funds for climate-smart practices. Stakeholders are calling for public financing, better early-warning systems, loss-and-damage support, and the implementation of climate-smart agriculture to address the underfunding of agricultural adaptation in Africa. Efforts to redirect harmful subsidies, reform finance institutions, and create a fairer global tax system are suggested to fill the gap in finance flows to small-scale agriculture in Africa. Additionally, concerns about the lack of progress in implementing the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) at the climate conference and the need for quadrupling Africa's climate finance flows annually until 2030 to meet investment needs for emissions reduction pledges under the Paris Agreement are highlighted.

    https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/africa-mulls-gap-in-climate-adaptation-finance-for-agriculture/