Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Nature-Based Carbon Removal

Remove Carbon:
– Restore & Manage Ecosystems
– Shift Agriculture Practices
– Use Degraded Land
– Manipulate Biogeochemical Cycles

  • Why the Next Era of Mangrove Restoration Must Be Led Locally

    Coastal 500, the world's largest network of local government leaders committed to coastal protection, has surpassed its 500-member goal with the addition of 105 leaders from Indonesia's Sangihe Islands. The focus is on the importance of local leaders in building thriving coastal communities, particularly in protecting and restoring mangrove forests. Mangroves provide crucial benefits such as shoreline protection, habitat for fish and shellfish, biodiversity support, and food security. Local governments play a key role in balancing coastal development, fisheries access, and disaster planning to ensure effective mangrove conservation. Mangrove protection and restoration are most effective when locally owned, politically supported, and integrated into coastal governance priorities, as seen in Brazil, the Philippines, and Honduras. Coastal 500, representing over 2,000 communities across 8 countries, empowers communities and promotes sustainable fishing practices for climate resilience and food security, with Rare serving as the Secretariat to support members in coordinating activities and engaging with partners.

    https://www.mangrovealliance.org/news/the-next-era-of-mangrove-restoration-must-be-local

  • In the Fight to Defend the Amazon, This Indigenous Community’s Secret Weapon Is Science

    Paraecologists in Ecuador are working to document and protect the biodiversity of the rainforest, including endangered species like jaguars. They are using their expertise to gather evidence that can be used in legal battles against mining companies seeking to exploit the land. Ecuador's "rights of nature" laws give ecosystems legal rights, making it more difficult for projects like large-scale mining to be approved. The work of paraecologists has been successful in halting destructive projects in the past, highlighting the importance of protecting the environment through legal means.

    https://triplepundit.com/2026/ecosystem-conservation-rights-of-nature-ecuador-copper-mine/

  • How to protect the rainforest: Cool Earth x Organic Basics for Earth Month 2026

    Cool Earth and Organic Basics are partnering to protect the rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon by providing direct funding and wildfire-fighting equipment to Indigenous communities, specifically the Asháninka people. Rainforests play a crucial role in regulating the climate and storing carbon, but are under increasing pressure from wildfires, droughts, logging, and agriculture. Supporting Indigenous peoples who live in the rainforest is the most effective way to protect it, as they have a track record of lower deforestation rates. By providing communities with financial security and necessary tools, such as fire control equipment, they are able to prevent wildfires and safeguard the forest for the long term. Donations made via the Big Give in partnership with Organic Basics during Earth Month 2026 will be doubled to support Indigenous fire brigades in the rainforest, encouraging individuals to contribute to these efforts to help protect the rainforest and combat climate change.

    https://www.coolearth.org/news/how-to-protect-rainforest-earth-month-2026/

  • Introducing, the CORE Carbon Removal Framework

    The CORE Carbon Removal Framework, launched this week, emphasizes the importance of benefiting communities, the climate, and environmental systems through responsible carbon removal practices. It outlines principles such as justice, equity, transparency, and accountability to ensure successful projects and provides resources for those involved. As carbon removal transitions from research to practical applications, governments, companies, and policymakers are investing in shaping the development of programs. The framework aims to establish shared expectations and a common language for the growing field, with success dependent on responsible real-world implementation.

    https://carbon180.org/blog/introducing-the-core-carbon-removal-framework/

  • Environmental News Network – Canadian Peatland Data Portal Debuts as a Landmark Tool for Climate Research and Policy

    Peatlands in Canada are vital for climate action, storing more carbon than all other ecosystems combined. The Canadian Peatland Data Portal, led by Dr. Maria Strack, centralizes peatland carbon metadata to facilitate collaboration among researchers, governments, industry partners, and Indigenous communities. This national initiative aims to promote evidence-based action to protect Canada's essential climate resources by providing a single entry point for accessing diverse peatland data and promoting responsible use.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/77898-canadian-peatland-data-portal-debuts-as-a-landmark-tool-for-climate-research-and-policy

  • New Savanna Fire Management method a major step for Indigenous-led climate action and carbon market growth

    The Carbon Market Institute (CMI) has welcomed the Australian Government's announcement of two new Savanna Fire Management (SFM) methods under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme, aiming to scale Indigenous-led climate action, support regional economies, and strengthen Australia's carbon market. These projects utilize traditional early dry season "cool burning" practices to reduce emissions, improve ecosystem health, and support Indigenous communities, potentially unlocking $7.7 billion in economic value across northern Australia. CMI emphasizes the importance of managing market impacts and ensuring long-term demand certainty for savanna fire management credits, while also highlighting the significance of the voluntary carbon market, particularly through Climate Active, in delivering climate abatement, Indigenous employment, and regional economic benefits. Clarity on the future of voluntary demand frameworks is crucial for ensuring the continuation of these projects.

    https://carbonmarketinstitute.org/2026/04/10/new-savanna-fire-management-method-a-major-step-for-indigenous-led-climate-action-and-carbon-market-growth/

  • Five Years Into a Fishing Ban, the Yangtze River Is Teeming With Life

    A 10-year commercial fishing ban on the Yangtze River has led to a significant increase in fish biomass, species richness, and improved water quality, benefiting larger fish and endangered species like the Yangtze finless porpoise. The ban has also reduced underwater noise from boat propellers, showing that bold policies can catalyze ecological recovery in large-scale rivers. Despite challenges from river fragmentation caused by dams like the Gezhouba and Three Gorges, the ban has doubled biomass in the area, marking a historic milestone in conservation efforts. The extension of the ban through 2030 is seen as a bold strategy to restore the Yangtze River's ecosystem, demonstrating that strong political decisions in favor of the environment can have positive impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health.

    https://triplepundit.com/2026/yangtze-river-fishing-ban-endangered-species-conservation/

  • Communicating Carbon Removal in a Fractured Media Landscape

    Despite challenges in climate communication and lack of awareness about carbon removal, there is bipartisan support for carbon removal policies once understood. The climate movement must shift messaging from fear to hope, address concerns about environmental justice, and invest in local storytellers for effective action. Carbon180 is focusing on community-based initiatives in Alaska, Hawaiʻi, and Puerto Rico, emphasizing engagement with local communities for responsible deployment. Media coverage of climate change is declining, but there is growing interest in carbon removal among voters. The importance of climate policy and the need for urgency, hope, and transparency in climate solutions are key issues for 2025.

    https://carbon180.org/blog/communicating-carbon-removal-in-a-fractured-media-landscape/

  • Marina Silva steps down as Brazil’s environment minister to run for Congress

    Marina Silva, a prominent figure in Brazil's climate agenda, successfully reduced deforestation by over 50% during her tenure as Environment Minister and aims to eliminate it by 2030. Under her leadership, policies were implemented to combat forest fires and control deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado, with increased funding for enforcement operations. Despite facing challenges such as setbacks in legislation and policies favoring infrastructure projects like offshore oil drilling, Silva played a key role in creating conservation areas, implementing anti-deforestation strategies, and designing the Amazon Fund. Her reorganization of the Environment Ministry and federal agencies has left a lasting impact on Brazil's environmental efforts, making her a significant figure in the fight against climate change.

    https://apnews.com/article/brazil-marina-silva-president-lula-amazon-rainforest-bff01765f99b8ec27870135ff69ae511

  • Millions Of Trees Planted In Africa To Remove Carbon & Restore Soil

    The Giving Trees project by Cool Effect supports smallholder farmers in East Africa to plant trees through the TIST program, resulting in over 28 million trees planted for climate and community benefits like carbon removal, improved soil health, and income opportunities. Farmers actively manage the trees for at least 30 years, with the project aiming to scale through word of mouth and ongoing support, creating a self-sustaining cycle of tree planting and community development.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/01/millions-of-trees-planted-in-africa-to-remove-carbon-restore-soil/