Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Food, Agriculture, Land & Ocean (FALO)

Cut Emissions:
– Curb Growing Demands
– Restore & Manage Ecosystems
– Shift Agriculture Practices

  • 20 Best Plants for Aquaponics

    Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics, using nutrient-rich water from fish tanks to fertilize plants in a closed-loop system. Popular choices for aquaponic systems include lettuce, kale, spinach, tomatoes, watercress, radishes, carrots, strawberries, basil, mint, cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage, sunflowers, and peppers. Each plant has specific requirements for nutrients, temperature, pH levels, and growing medium, with some plants like watercress and carrots needing special attention. It is important to choose the right fish species, such as tilapia and koi, to match the plants' needs. Aquaponics is not only efficient but also allows for the growth of a variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, making it a promising climate solution for sustainable agriculture.

    https://www.treehugger.com/best-plants-for-aquaponics-5186557

  • At CES 2026, Limited Sustainability Presence Is Actually Its Biggest Win

    The 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased a growing number of sustainable innovations, with sustainability being integrated into product design rather than treated as a standalone category. Key examples include Solarstic's moldable solar modules for electric vehicles, SolreBorn's mobile units for recovering raw materials from decommissioned solar panels, and WES-Tec Global's plastic waste conversion technology. Additionally, AI-driven solutions like Siemens x NVIDIA Industrial AI Operating System and SaeFarm AI Satellite Farm Monitor are reshaping industrial value chains and agricultural practices for increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The deployment of Boston Dynamics Atlas Humanoid robots in manufacturing also highlights the potential for AI to improve operations and sustainability. However, the growing energy footprint of AI raises concerns about whether its efficiencies can outpace resource demands. The focus is on embedding sustainability into intelligent systems by pushing for energy transparency in AI, lifecycle thinking in system design, and ensuring efficiency gains are measurable, durable, and equitable, to avoid missing a second chance later.

    https://triplepundit.com/2026/ces-2026-sustainability/

  • 2025 end of year report – UK Health Alliance on Climate Change

    The 2025 end of year report from the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change highlights their advocacy work in promoting climate and health policies. Key achievements include the publication of a policy report on building a climate resilient health system, prioritizing plant-based and sustainably sourced food, and including carbon emission reduction targets in the ten-year health plan for England. The Alliance also advocated for a just transition to green energy, published policy priorities for COP30, and sent manifestos to party leaders in Scotland and Wales. The report emphasizes policy wins and progress made throughout the year, thanking members and partners for their support.

    https://ukhealthalliance.org/news-item/2025-end-of-year-report/

  • Brazil’s biodiversity pledge: Six key takeaways for nature and climate change

    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.

    https://www.carbonbrief.org/brazils-biodiversity-pledge-six-key-takeaways-for-nature-and-climate-change/

  • 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/

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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/

  • Agrivoltaic Company Okovate Acquires Stanford University & Carnegie Mellon Tech Startup

    Agrivoltaics, the combination of solar power plants with farmland, is gaining popularity in the solar power industry. Washington, DC-based company Okovate Sustainable Energy has acquired the assets of startup Fundusol to improve the planning and development of agrivoltaic projects. The acquisition allows Okovate to integrate a modeling platform developed at Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon, providing data-driven precision in co-locating solar energy and agriculture. The company's technology utilizes genetic algorithms and advanced data visualization to optimize solar array configurations for different crop types, aiming to strengthen the economic fabric of farming communities. Efforts are being made to increase the cost effectiveness and appeal of solar PV power in 2025, with plans to roll out more solar power on farmland across the United States and make additional announcements in 2026.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/29/agrivoltaic-company-okovate-acquires-stanford-university-carnegie-mellon-tech-startup/