Project Drawdown announces a new initiative focused on solutions at the intersection of humanity’s greatest challenges

Humanity faces many challenges today, and all connect with each other in some way.

Recognizing the numerous interactions among climate change and other existential threats, Project Drawdown is launching a new initiative to identify and advance technologies and practices that not only reduce the threat of climate change, but enhance human well-being and protect ecosystems at the same time.

The initiative, known as Drawdown Nexus, aims to dramatically expand humanity’s capacity to advance sustainable development, protect biodiversity, and mitigate climate change together.  Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies and the Doris Duke Foundation are providing initial funding.

“Solving climate change is essential to building a future we and our children can live with,” says Project Drawdown executive director Jonathan Foley. “But without simultaneously addressing biodiversity loss and human well-being, what kind of a future are we really saving? Drawdown Nexus will identify and coalesce action around much-needed ‘win-win-win’ opportunities to benefit people and our planet in multiple ways at the same time.”

Drawdown Nexus builds upon prior collaborations with universities, Natural Capital Insights, and USAID. It aligns with a number of science assessments from IPBES and others that increasingly recognize the value of tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and threats to human well-being together. But it will go beyond these efforts by collaborating across levels of influence, from local to global, to create and disseminate tools for identifying and prioritizing the full spectrum of possible solutions. 

As an example, senior scientist Paul West, who is leading the Drawdown Nexus initiative, cites Project Drawdown’s long-standing work to stop deforestation, eat healthier diets, and reduce food waste. “Improving people’s lives, protecting nature, and stopping climate change are interwoven challenges. Solutions need to be interwoven too,” he says. “A wide range of solutions, such as reducing food loss and waste, stopping deforestation, and increasing access to affordable clean energy can all provide triple wins. In many places, realizing these triple wins requires understanding which climate and biodiversity solutions – and where – can meet people’s needs quickly. We aim to develop tools to help drive action and accelerate progress to meet all three challenges.” 

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