Natural Climate and Drawdown Solutions
The global North is experiencing some of the most severe impacts of climate change. To reach a future climate that is livable, we must reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we put into the air and we must remove the greenhouse gases that are already in our air. We need to do both. Powerful carbon drawdown strategies that harness the power of nature and broadly benefit society exist today.
As Northerners feeling the impact of our changing climate we are compelled to act. As ecologists, we understand how protecting and harnessing the power of nature can build resilience and contribute to a climate solution.
Using the power of nature to help restore the carbon cycle
Many drawdown strategies have the added benefit of being “no regrets” solutions —actions that make sense to take regardless of their climate impact since they have intrinsic benefits to communities and economies. These initiatives improve lives, create jobs, restore the environment, enhance food security, generate resilience, and advance human health.
Intact ecosystems & ecological restoration: Protecting and restoring forest, grassland, tundra and other natural systems sequesters CO2 in the ground.
Regenerative agriculture: Regenerative farming and ranching practices help build and protect biologically active, healthy soils capable of storing large amounts of carbon. One of the many co-benefits is more nutrient-dense food.
Seaweed mariculture: Cultivating kelp and other seaweeds harnesses the power of the sun to capture carbon from seawater, reduces ocean acidification, and fosters coastal community economic development and resilience.
Food Systems: Climate change presents both challenges and opportunities in addressing food security in the North. As the length and character of seasons change we will have to adapt our traditional harvests, agriculture and food storage.
Renewable Energy: By harnessing the power of nature to power our homes, communities and vehicles we can reduce the amount of fossil fuel we burn and reduce the amount of CO2 we release into the atmosphere. Solar, wind, small scale-hydro and heat pump technologies are all accessible and effective in northern climates.