Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Nature-Based Carbon Removal

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

  • 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/

  • 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/

  • Why Nature-Based Investments Produce Results

    Nature-based solutions are crucial for climate mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity protection, with the UN Environment Program calling for increased investment to $571 billion annually by 2030. These investments not only have the potential to lift people out of poverty, create jobs, and boost the economy but also prevent climate change damages. Financial institutions are recognizing the risks of nature loss and are incorporating nature-based investments to enhance long-term financial performance. To make nature-based investment a viable asset class, transparency, predictability, auditability, and alignment with global standards are necessary, as emphasized by participants in a workshop focusing on systemic change and transformative integration of nature-based solutions.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/25/why-nature-based-investments-produce-results/

  • India sets green electricity, tree-planting and emissions targets

    India has unveiled new climate goals to cut carbon intensity, expand clean electricity capacity, and increase carbon sinks. The targets include reducing greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 47% by 2035, increasing non-fossil fuel sources to 60% of electricity generation capacity by 2035, and setting goals for carbon sinks. Analysts have mixed reactions, with some saying the targets are too easy to meet while others praise India's efforts. The country aims to achieve these targets through its booming clean energy industry and the growth of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. India aims to increase its carbon sink through trees and forests by 3.5-4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035 from 2005 levels, with experts highlighting the country's commitment to nature-based solutions and existing forest-growing programs. India's success in meeting climate goals is seen as a signal of integrity and commitment, with potential for further acceleration if adequate climate finance is provided by developed nations.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/03/25/india-sets-achievable-green-electricity-and-emissions-instensity-targets/

  • 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/

  • 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/