SPECIAL FEATURE
PROJECT DRAWDOWN Project Drawdown is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”—the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. Founded in 2014, the organization works with governments, businesses, academia, and NGOs to develop climate solutions
Romulo Martinez, Senior Country Manager, Latin America & the Caribbean – Public Sector Operation “What we need more than anything in the fight against climate change is transparency. Transparency about the causes, transparency about the measures, transparency about the costs. Without transparency there is no knowledge, and without knowledge there is no progress. Real progress cannot be mandated, it must come from within ourselves. And for this transparency is indispensable.”
and facilitate their implementation. Working through programs such as Drawdown Labs and Drawdown Lift, the organization currently lists 93 climate solutions ranging from A for Abandoned Farmland Restoration to W for Water Distribution Efficiency. These solutions serve Project Drawdown’s mission which is “to help the world reach drawdown as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible.”
PHOTO: Alexandre Laprise/ Shutterstock.com
PHOTO: Futurepump
People might think, ‘Oh, those are just small actions.’ But if you have hundreds of thousands and millions of people taking those actions around the world, it does drive change. I think there’s almost an obligation for those of us who live in high-income countries who have the means to do so to urgently reduce our emissions because we need to allow more space for people and communities in low- and middle-income countries to grow their economies. It needs to balance out as we strive to limit global temperature increases. OFQ : A lot of the climate discussion in the last six months has been shaped by the war in Ukraine and the deepening energy supply crisis. KPP: The impact of the war in Ukraine has been enormous, and extends well beyond Europe. I think recent disasters have convinced people of the need to act on climate, and reminded everyone that we need to do more and not less. COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh is a great opportunity for the world to reinvigorate our commitment to the Paris Agreement and go beyond to ensure low- and middle- income countries have the necessary resources to deal with the climate crisis.
in 2009 that by 2020 they would be providing US$100 billion a year to help with climate adaptation and mitigation in low- and middle-income countries. That has never been fully realized, and it’s becoming increasingly apparent how important that funding is. With the next COP taking place on the African continent, I think that the Egyptian presidency realizes the importance of reinvigorating discussions around climate finance, and ensuring that it is additional to existing ODA (official development assistance) funds. OFQ : Well, is there any good news you would like to share? KPP: I’m inspired by the women leaders who are now active in the climate movement. I’m also inspired by youth leaders, especially from African countries who are really stepping up, and I am heartened by the fact that the voices of
MULTISTRATA AGROFORESTRY Multistrata agroforestry is a cropping system that features layers of carbon- sequestering vegetation. One or more layers of crops grow in the shade of taller trees. The structure and function resemble those of natural forests. The layers of trees and crops sequester substantial carbon while producing food and serving the ecosystem. Source: Project Drawdown : https://drawdown.org/solutions/ multistrata-agroforestry
people who are really driving change, like Vanessa Nakate (left) from Uganda, are getting heard more and more. On a more practical level, I would like to mention one of my favorite Drawdown solutions named Multistrata
Agroforestry, which I enjoy putting into practice in my small yard and garden. There are many things that can give us hope and keep us inspired.
OFQ : What would you consider a good outcome of COP27? KPP: High income nations made a commitment at the COP in Copenhagen
41
PHOTO: Paul Wamala Ssegujja
Powered by FlippingBook