Climate Change Solutions Update

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

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

  • Solar sheep grazing delivers margins up to 40% in new study

    Agrivoltaic sheep grazing models in Ontario have been found to outperform traditional farming, offering higher margins and dual revenue streams from livestock and solar site services. The co-location of sheep grazing and solar PV arrays, known as agrivoltaics, provides a robust solution to the tightening profit margins of modern agriculture. Research by Western University indicates that these integrated business models offer a hedge against market volatility, with performance metrics consistently exceeding the broader agricultural industry's average EBITDA margin. The study explores two operational strategies – a year-round "Breeding Model" and a seasonal "Auction Model" – both of which show high financial stability and return on investment. The dual-revenue nature of the business, vegetation management fees from solar asset owners, and the technical superiority of sheep for vegetation control under solar panels contribute to the economic and environmental benefits of agrivoltaic systems. This approach could also help address trade imbalances in the meat industry, boost the rural economy by $170 million, create specialized agricultural jobs, enhance local food security, and preserve farmland while ensuring the financial resilience of family farms in the long term.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/26/solar-sheep-grazing-delivers-margins-up-to-40-in-new-study/

  • Passing the Current

    The Misool Marine Reserve in Indonesia, known for its high marine biodiversity, has seen improvements in coral reefs thanks to the coral restoration work led by the Misool Foundation. Through training local communities in coral planting techniques, the foundation has empowered villagers and students to become stewards of the reef, creating a self-sustaining network dedicated to marine conservation. By embedding conservation practices within the community, the foundation is ensuring the long-term protection of the marine ecosystem. As school students from nearby villages practice these techniques, they are preparing to be future guardians of the reef, contributing to the ongoing efforts to restore and protect the marine environment.

    https://wildnet.org/news/passing-the-current/

  • Unpacking the Belem-Addis Vision for Africa’s Climate Adaptation – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance

    Progress was made at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, with countries agreeing on global indicators for climate adaptation under the Global Goal on Adaptation and launching the Belem-Addis Vision. Experts emphasized the need for clearer frameworks, increased finance, and stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure funds reach vulnerable communities, highlighting the importance of healthy ecosystems, community-led adaptation, and addressing food security. Calls were made for increased financing in the agriculture sector, with a focus on grant-based finance, locally driven solutions, and investment in technology and agroecological practices. Water was highlighted as crucial for adaptation, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where millions lack basic services, and closing this gap is seen as essential for effective climate adaptation and broader development as COP32 in Addis Ababa approaches.

    https://pacja.org/unpacking-the-belem-addis-vision-for-africas-climate-adaptation/

  • What We’re Reading: Lessons From the ‘Grandmother Cacao’

    In India's Western Ghats, a 65-year-old cacao tree is thriving thanks to successful agroforestry and "bio-control" techniques developed by a microbiologist couple. By using beneficial microbes to prevent the growth of pathogens, the farm is able to maintain soil health and produce organic cocoa. With increasing heat and rainfall threatening cacao trees with fungal and bacterial infestations, these innovative solutions are crucial for sustainable agriculture. This success story highlights the importance of climate-resilient practices in the face of changing environmental conditions.

    https://reasonstobecheerful.world/what-were-reading-lessons-from-grandmother-cacao/

  • Saint Louis University’s Vasit Sagan and Derek Tesser on mapping cattle emissions

    Vasit Sagan and Derek S. Tesser from Saint Louis University's Remote Sensing Lab are leading the Climate TRACE coalition's efforts to map cattle operations globally and track methane and nitrous oxide emissions from pastures and feedlots. Livestock emissions are a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, but also offer potential for emissions reductions and carbon sequestration. The use of technology and modeling is being combined to map cattle emissions, with a focus on detecting and mapping concentrated animal feeding operations and manure lagoons. The Climate TRACE project is prioritizing high-emission regions for mapping cattle production to understand the climate impact, using remote sensing, geospatial models, and AI to fill data gaps and achieve environmental integrity, economic viability, and equity across regions and communities.

    https://climatetrace.org/news/saint-louis-university-s-vasit-sagan-and-derek-tesser-on-mapping-cattle-emissions

  • Offshore wind’s cloudy day had a silver lining

    As climate solutions experts, it is crucial to focus on implementing renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Additionally, investing in energy-efficient technologies and practices, such as improving building insulation and promoting public transportation, can significantly contribute to lowering carbon footprints. It is also important to prioritize sustainable agriculture and land use practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change. By adopting these solutions and working towards a more sustainable future, we can make a positive impact on the environment and combat the effects of climate change.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/offshore-winds-cloudy-day-had-a-silver-lining-2/

  • MAGA Influencers Love Solar Power, And So Does Elon Musk

    Right wing pundits Katie Miller and KellyAnne Conway, along with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have shown support for solar power. The US Department of Agriculture plays a significant role in administering grants and loan guarantees for farmers to save on energy costs through solar projects, with the REAP initiative providing opportunities for wind and solar power since 2002. However, under the Trump administration, there was a freeze on REAP disbursements, leading to a loss of over $1 billion in funds, and new restrictions imposed by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins limited opportunities for farmers. Tennessee has lost 9% of its farmland over a 20-year period, primarily due to real estate development, not solar industry growth, prompting the establishment of a $25 million fund to buy conservation easements from farmers. Trump has approved large solar projects in Nevada, with a push for solar power by conservative influencers and stakeholders in the AI industry, while Elon Musk plans to add 100 gigawatts of solar to the US grid and boost domestic solar manufacturing.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/21/maga-suddenly-loves-solar-power-but-will-brooke-rollins-get-the-memo/

  • Forests are more than a resource: How Belarus protects its vital ecosystem

    The UNDP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry in Belarus, is implementing projects supported by China and Russia to address threats facing forest ecosystems in Belarus. These projects focus on developing ecotourism, protecting forests, and strengthening preparedness for fire prevention and response. Efforts include introducing modern approaches to forest management, utilizing digital technologies, creating new sources of income for local communities, and raising environmental awareness among young people. By prioritizing innovation, partnerships, and community engagement, these initiatives aim to safeguard Belarus' forests and the benefits they provide for climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and economic development.

    https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/03/1167173

  • GM Pivots Tennessee Battery Plant to Tap Energy Storage Boom

    The article highlights key climate solutions experts need to know, including the importance of renewable energy sources, carbon sequestration technologies, and sustainable agriculture practices. It emphasizes the urgent need for global cooperation and policy changes to address climate change effectively. Additionally, the article discusses the role of innovation and investment in developing new technologies to combat climate change. Overall, the focus is on actionable solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change on a global scale.

    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-17/gm-pivots-tennessee-battery-plant-to-tap-energy-storage-boom

  • Bridging the Methane Gap: Financing Abatement in China

    Methane emissions in China account for a significant portion of global warming, and the country's updated NDC now includes all greenhouse gases, showing a stronger policy focus on addressing methane alongside carbon dioxide. While there are feasible solutions to reduce methane emissions in various sectors, the lack of structured financial support is hindering the scaling of abatement projects. To close the methane finance gap, the report recommends incorporating methane into future NDCs, enhancing monitoring systems, and mobilizing finance to turn abatement projects into bankable initiatives. China's experience in addressing methane challenges can offer valuable lessons for other emerging economies and countries in the Global South, emphasizing the importance of investing in energy, agriculture, and waste projects to reduce methane emissions.

    https://www.climatebonds.net/news-events/blog/bridging-methane-gap-financing-abatement-china