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Home  /  Resources  /  Climate Solutions 101  /  Unit 4: Supporting Sinks and Improving Society

Unit 4: Supporting Sinks and Improving Society

Lecture

Three cheers for carbon sinks! Get to know these climate solution powerhouses (from the land, sea, and labs) by exploring the best ways to keep them strong. From shifting agriculture practices and addressing human diets to restoring marine ecosystems, this unit delves into the opportunities and limitations of sinks as a tool to reach drawdown. Finally, take a step back to see the critical importance of centering human equality in the race to shift climate solutions to global action.

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Jessica Hellmann, PhD
Jessica Hellmann, PhD

Director of the Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota

Hellmann is the director of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment and the Ecolab Chair in Environmental Leadership, where she works to build a future where people and planet prosper together. Her research focuses on global change ecology, climate adaptation, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Widely published and a skilled communicator, Hellmann is a scientific pioneer routinely called upon by leading international media outlets to provide expert input on global change. In addition to several prestigious fellowship positions, she received the Climate Adaptation Leadership Award of the US Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Follow Hellmann on Twitter, visit her website, and read her blog Director’s Almanac.

Hear more about ecosystem impacts in Unit 4, which digs into carbon sinks—and ways to keep them strong—around the world.

Take a closer look at climate impacts on modern ecosystems with Hellmann—an expert on global change ecology, climate adaptation, and emissions reduction. Hear Hellmann discuss the inspiring road to solutions ahead.

29:07
Jessica Hellmann, PhD
Jessica Hellmann, PhD

Director of the Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota

Hellmann is the director of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment and the Ecolab Chair in Environmental Leadership, where she works to build a future where people and planet prosper together. Her research focuses on global change ecology, climate adaptation, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Widely published and a skilled communicator, Hellmann is a scientific pioneer routinely called upon by leading international media outlets to provide expert input on global change. In addition to several prestigious fellowship positions, she received the Climate Adaptation Leadership Award of the US Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Follow Hellmann on Twitter, visit her website, and read her blog Director’s Almanac.

Hear more about ecosystem impacts in Unit 4, which digs into carbon sinks—and ways to keep them strong—around the world.

Take a closer look at climate impacts on modern ecosystems with Hellmann—an expert on global change ecology, climate adaptation, and emissions reduction. Hear Hellmann discuss the inspiring road to solutions ahead.

29:07

Key Graphics

Greenhouse Gas Sinks
Land-Based Greenhouse Gas Sinks
Land-Based Sinks Solutions
Ocean-Based Greenhouse Gas Sinks
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Learn More

The Drawdown Review

Project Drawdown's 2020 publication is the first major update to the research and analysis of climate solutions since Drawdown, its 2017 best-selling book. See pages 50 – 71 for more on sinks and the importance of fostering equality around the world.

Drawdown Solutions: Land Sinks Overview

While the majority of heat-trapping emissions remain in the atmosphere, land sinks currently return 26% of human-caused emissions to Earth—literally. Dive deeper into solutions that enhance all-important land-based sinks.

Drawdown Solutions: Coastal & Ocean Sinks Overview

These critical sinks bring 17% of all heat-trapping emissions back to Earth. Solutions for these resources center on ecosystem protection and restoration as well as improved agriculture practices.

Drawdown Solutions: Engineered Sinks Overview

Can human engineering play a supporting role to nature? Could recaptured carbon become a commodity? Learn more about “coming attractions” solutions in this sector—issues of cost, scale, and the energy required all remain in the balance.

Drawdown Solutions: Health & Education Overview

Climate and social systems are profoundly connected, and comprehensive solutions are often overlooked. Some initiatives, designed primarily to ensure rights and foster equality, also have cascading benefits to climate change—learn more, today.

Next Unit

Unit 5: Putting It All Together

Climate Solutions 101
Unit 1: Setting the Stage
Unit 2: Stopping Climate Change
Unit 3: Reducing Sources
Unit 4: Supporting Sinks and Improving Society
Unit 5: Putting It All Together
Unit 6: Making It Happen

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