Climate Change Solutions Update

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

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

  • Consultation: Major Revision to Biochar Methodology (VM0044)

    Project Reignite, a climate action initiative by Together for Restoration, focuses on converting farm waste into sustainable solutions certified by Verra Project 4679. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by turning agricultural waste into biochar, improving soil health and fertility in the process. By demonstrating a practical and effective approach to addressing climate challenges in the agricultural sector, Project Reignite showcases the potential for utilizing farm waste to mitigate climate change.

    https://verra.org/consultation-major-revision-to-biochar-methodology-vm0044/

  • As Human-Wildlife Conflict Rises, Zimbabwean Communities Find New Ways to Coexist

    Wildlife Conservation Action in Zimbabwe is addressing human-wildlife conflicts by empowering local communities with non-lethal solutions such as predator-proof cattle bomas and elephant deterrent fences. By integrating local knowledge with technology, they promote coexistence through conflict mitigation, land restoration, and sustainable livelihoods. These efforts have led to a significant decrease in human-wildlife conflicts, with incidents falling by as much as 98 percent in some districts. Challenges such as the short lifespan of the bomas and high initial construction costs remain, but overall, the organization's approach has brought hope to villagers facing losses due to predator attacks.

    https://triplepundit.com/2026/human-wildlife-conflict-zimbabwe-coexistence-elephants-lions/

  • Why Africa should link nutritional data with fisheries management (commentary)

    The Our Ocean Conference in Kenya highlighted the need for countries to manage aquatic foods for people's nutrition, not just for production and trade. A new op-ed argues that African countries should focus on managing fisheries for the nutritional benefits it provides to their people. Fishers in Timor-Leste have been logging their trips and recording data on the gear used, habitats visited, and catch brought home to better understand how small-scale fishing nourishes people. The value of a catch should not just be measured in kilos, but also in the nutrients it provides to local diets. This shift in focus is crucial for inclusive development and social impact in fisheries management. Small-scale fisheries play a crucial role in delivering key micronutrients to 2.3 billion people globally. It is essential to rethink food systems investments and ensure that development institutions are investing enough in this valuable nutritional resource. By managing fisheries not only for production but also for the nutritional benefits they provide, Africa can harness its oceans for greater social impact and inclusive development. Essam Yassin Mohammed, director general of WorldFish, leads efforts to advance research and innovation in aquatic food systems to promote sustainable fisheries management.

    https://news.mongabay.com/2026/07/why-africa-should-link-nutritional-data-with-fisheries-management-commentary/

  • Environmental News Network – Plants Get Wearables to Track Their Health

    New plant "wearable" sensors have been developed to track vital signs of plant life, such as temperature and humidity beneath the leaf's surface, and stem growth. These sensors aim to detect distress signals in plants earlier, allowing farmers to respond and help their crops thrive before visible signs of stress appear. The system runs without an external battery, using moisture evaporating from the plant itself for power. This innovation could revolutionize crop management by providing real-time information to farmers for proactive crop care.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/78149-plants-get-wearables-to-track-their-health

  • Agrivoltaic facility supplies traction power directly to Austrian rail network

    A 6.6 MW agrivoltaic system in Donnerskirchen, Austria is the first tracking system designed for railway power supply, benefiting Austrian Federal Railways and Esterhazy Betriebe AG. Expected to generate 8.3 GWh of electricity annually, it covers the equivalent of 32,500 train journeys between Vienna and Eisenstadt. This project showcases the dual-use potential of agrivoltaics, preserving agricultural land, harnessing solar energy, and promoting biodiversity through ecological measures.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/09/agrivoltaic-facility-supplies-traction-power-directly-to-austrian-rail-network/

  • Ask a Scientist: How is Rural California Anticipating and Building Resilience to Climate Change?

    Residents in Allensworth, California are facing the impacts of climate change daily, with water scarcity, pollution, and extreme heat and drought affecting their community. Dr. Ranyee Chiang, an expert in environmental policy, discusses the importance of using science to help rural communities like Allensworth build resilience and adapt to climate change. The town is advocating for a transformation towards sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and nature-based solutions to manage water shortages and increase ecological resilience. Nature-based solutions, such as capturing flood water and creating buffer zones, offer a powerful approach to address climate challenges and promote economic opportunities, water sustainability, and public health. Low-income, rural communities in California's Central Valley, like Allensworth, face challenges such as political underrepresentation, underinvestment, and environmental issues caused by intensive industrial monoculture. Allensworth's transformation into a model community includes restoring native habitats, transitioning to a healthy and sustainable farming system, and pursuing energy independence through agrivoltaics. Agroecology, which promotes farmworker well-being, biodiversity, and climate resilience, is a key part of this transformation. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) sees opportunities to make an impact in California by sponsoring legislation to address gas prices, promoting clean transportation options for low-income families, and empowering communities with successful solutions like those implemented in Allensworth.

    https://blog.ucs.org/guest-commentary/ask-a-scientist-how-is-rural-california-anticipating-and-building-resilience-to-climate-change/

  • With blue economy boom, coastal communities seek to benefit

    At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, governments and institutions pledged billions for offshore wind, cleaner shipping, and marine protection to promote the blue economy as a source of jobs and climate action. Inclusivity and community involvement are emphasized to ensure sustainable development pathways that respect indigenous knowledge systems and harmony with nature. Lessons from failed blue economy projects highlight the importance of community involvement, rigorous environmental impact assessments, and transparent processes. Blue carbon schemes and offshore wind projects can bring climate and conservation benefits, but must be carefully planned to avoid disrupting marine ecosystems and small-scale fishers' access to the sea. Stronger safeguards and legal frameworks are needed to ensure sustainable ocean-based development.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/07/08/blue-economy-coastal-communities-mombasa-ocean-finance/

  • The Women Left Behind

    Green Conservers, a youth-led movement advocating for climate justice, is deploying solutions like decentralized renewable energy and agroecology. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline project has disrupted communities, particularly impacting women who are primary caregivers and food producers, leading to land acquisition, economic disruption, and tensions between farmers and pastoralists. The challenges faced by communities affected by energy development projects like EACOP highlight the importance of measuring development in terms of improved livelihoods, well-being, energy access, social harmony, and opportunities for future generations. The voices of women from Diloda emphasize the need for a holistic approach to development that prioritizes the well-being of those most affected and ensures their lives are truly improved. Climate solutions experts should focus on solutions that benefit all members of society and address the specific needs of vulnerable populations like women in impacted communities.

    https://350.org/the-women-left-behind/

  • Agrivoltaics Could Solve One of Solar’s Biggest Problems in the Philippines

    Agrivoltaics is gaining traction in the Philippines as a way to combine solar energy generation with agriculture on limited arable land, maximizing land use efficiency. The country's largest commercial agrivoltaic project in Batangas combines utility-scale solar generation with crop production and battery energy storage, showing promise for the coexistence of farming and clean energy production. Lessons from smaller trials have influenced the design of larger agrivoltaic projects, providing valuable operational data for future solar projects and offering a solution to land use conflicts while supporting rural communities. This innovation in the country's renewable energy transition highlights the potential for sustainable solutions in the clean tech sector.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/04/agrivoltaics-could-solve-one-of-solars-biggest-problems-in-the-philippines/

  • Environmental News Network – The Miracle Microbes That Could Save Crops From Impact of Rising Sea Levels

    Researchers at the University of East Anglia, led by Dr. Yanfen Zheng, have found that naturally occurring soil bacteria can assist plants in thriving in salty conditions, potentially revolutionizing agriculture globally. This discovery reveals a new method by which microbes can enhance plant growth in challenging environments, benefiting crops such as maize, tomato, and rapeseed. The implications of this breakthrough are significant, as it could allow crops to flourish in soil that was previously considered unusable, offering a promising solution to agricultural challenges posed by salinity.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/78121-the-miracle-microbes-that-could-save-crops-from-impact-of-rising-sea-levels