Insights by Author

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., is executive director of Project Drawdown. A world-renowned environmental scientist, he focuses on finding solutions to sustain the climate, ecosystems, and natural resources. He founded the University of Wisconsin Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment, served as founding director of the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment, and served as executive director of the California Academy of Sciences.

Jon Foley
A graphic with a tropical forest in the background and a sign that implies deforestation is prohibited
How stopping deforestation is a powerful “emergency brake” climate solution
by James Gerber, Ph.D. and Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
When people think of climate solutions, they often focus on smokestacks, tailpipes, and other artifacts of our fossil-fueled economy. That’s fitting since roughly two-thirds of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from producing and burning oil, gas, coal, and other highly polluting fuels. But it overlooks other critical emissions sources – including deforestation – that are also accelerating the climate crisis.
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A graphic showing people engaging in climate action at a rally, business meeting, small business, and farm
To get back on track, we need new climate leadership and approaches
by Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
This year marks a key milestone in the struggle to address climate change.
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A graphic of people holding hands facing a bright star in the sky
Together, we can – and must – stand up for science, effective climate action, and a better future
by Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
This is a troubling time for people working on climate change.Despite the widespread, accelerating deployment of climate solutions around the world, events over the last few months are casting doubt on future efforts.
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A person holding an 'I Voted' sticker
Standing up for science and climate action, now more than ever
by Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
A message from Project Drawdown and Executive Director Jonathan Foley, Ph.D. Dear Friends of Project Drawdown,I’m writing to you today with a heavy heart – and a deeply reenergized commitment to our work on climate change.
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A graphic showing green ooze dripping over raw beef
Greenwashing and denial won’t solve beef’s enormous climate problems
by Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
I’ll admit it: I like beef. Like many Americans, I was brought up to believe that beef was a central part of a traditional family meal. My mom made it. My kids ate it. Marketing campaigns told me it was healthy. Everywhere I went, I saw Americans eating lots of it. And for many years, I didn’t question these choices.
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Regenerative grazing
Regenerative grazing is overhyped as a climate solution. We should do it anyway.
by Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
Animal agriculture has a climate problem.
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An image of the sun with forks and knives as sun rays. Two people are farming in the foreground.
Fixing food’s big climate problem
by Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
It surprises many people to learn that the food we eat, the farms that grow it, and the landscapes we’ve cleared all contribute to climate change. And contribute in a big way.
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Perspective  | 
A graphic showing a person contemplating different ways of taking climate action
What’s the best climate action you can take? You tell me.
by Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
To stop climate change, it’s critical individuals and families take personal actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But only you can determine which climate solutions will be most effective for your situation.When I tell someone I lead a climate change non-profit, one of the most common questions I get is: What can I do to reduce my carbon footprint? 
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Perspective  | 
Photo illustration of cows and satellite view of Earth.
How food and farming will determine the fate of planet Earth
by Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
Agriculture has disrupted the planet more than anything we have ever done, including burning fossil fuels. A sustainable future depends on recognizing this fact – and radically changing how we farm and eat.More than any other invention in human history, agriculture has radically transformed civilization and our relationship with the natural world.How did this happen?
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fig leaf covering smokestacks
Stop giving Big Oil a carbon fig leaf
by Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
The Biden Administration is backing industrial carbon capture schemes that overwhelmingly benefit Big Oil – bolstering their bottom lines and extending a PR lifeline that ensures they can continue polluting – all under the guise of climate action.
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