Insights by Author

Daniel Jasper

Daniel Jasper is the policy advisor for Project Drawdown. Previously, he worked for the American Friends Service Committee and at World Learning. Founder and primary author of StreetCivics.com, Dan served in the Peace Corps in Turkmenistan and Saint Lucia. He has also worked for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Minnesota House of Representatives, and Congresswoman Betty McCollum. 

A three-paneled graphic with a tree on the left, clouds in the middle, and students in school on the right. There is a purple dotted line connecting the three panels.
We need synergies, not silos, to solve humanity’s greatest challenges
by Paul West, Ph.D., Yusuf Jameel, Ph.D. and Daniel Jasper
Climate change is often framed as humanity’s greatest challenge. And for good reason. 
Read more
People shaking hands with a graphic of upward pointing blue arrows in the background
Beyond voting, here's how to take citizen action for the climate
by Daniel Jasper
Post-election periods are always challenging for issues like climate change, regardless of the outcome. Jubilation following a victory can lead to complacency, and disappointment following a loss can lead to feelings of helplessness.
Read more
A group of climate negotiators with Bonn, Germany in the background
What is the Bonn Climate Conference and why you should care
by Daniel Jasper
Unless you're deeply involved in climate policy, you may not be aware that crucial international climate negotiations recently wrapped up in Bonn, Germany. These annual talks laid the groundwork for issues to be discussed at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Despite their importance for global climate action, however, these mid-point meetings don’t get nearly as much attention as they deserve. 
Read more
A graphic showing shaking hands from the United States and China
5 ways to boost US–China diplomacy for people and the planet
by Daniel Jasper
Recently, the new United States and Chinese climate envoys, John Podesta and Liu Zhenmin, met for the first time. The meeting came amid expectations that the Biden administration would increase tariffs on Chinese goods such as EVs, solar equipment, batteries, and critical minerals.
Read more
Perspective  | 
A graphic of a city skyline with a connected map of the Earth above and money below
Climate aid isn’t charity – it’s resilience for all of us
by Daniel Jasper
Climate change has given us some sense of how interconnected we all are. 
Read more
Climate conference graphic
What good are climate talks? Five takeaways from COP28
by Daniel Jasper
The 2023 UN Conference of Parties – or COP28 – like its predecessors, concluded with mixed results. Some have lauded the “historic” consensus text which includes the need to “transition” away from fossil fuels. Others have lamented the vague language and non-binding nature of the text which, once again, leaves countries with too much leeway to circumvent real action while giving the appearance of climate leadership.
Read more
IPCC meeting in Bonn
Climate negotiations must face reality and rebuild credibility
by Daniel Jasper
Editor’s note: Last month, Project Drawdown policy advisor Dan Jasper attended climate negotiations in Bonn to promote climate solutions that also improve human well-being. Hosted by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the negotiations in Bonn provided a space for technical conversations in the lead-up to COP28.
Read more
Woman gathering crops in a field with solar panel in background
We need to advance climate solutions and development together
by Daniel Jasper
Last week’s release of the UN’s International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) synthesis report distills almost a decade of the latest climate science into an urgent, systemic call to action — imploring us to mobilize resources to tackle climate change and poverty at the same time if we are to ensure a just and sustainable future.
Read more
See All Insights
Back to top