Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico: demolished homes, food and water shortages, and a decimated power grid characterized daily life for months. While millions of people began the process of rebuilding what previously existed, a couple in Puerto Rico took an unconventional approach and decided to build an Earthship. Developed 50 years ago, Earthships are sustainable […]
Resources Legacy Fund Multisolves for Resilience & Climate
The Resources Legacy Fund is a philanthropy organization that works in the western United States to fund land, watershed, and marine conservation, as well as other multisolving policies that increase resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, among other benefits. As part of their work, they focus on helping organizations build capacity, uniting diverse coalitions to empower […]
Lakota Solar Grows Native-Owned Renewables in Tribal Communities
Lakota Solar Enterprises is a Native-owned and operated renewable energy company located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Its aim is to help tribal lands reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and achieve energy sovereignty. In doing so, it also creates jobs and reduces energy bills in remote and energy-poor communities. Lakota Solar […]
Turning Mountaintop Coal Mines into Farms
Coalfield Development, a nonprofit social enterprise in West Virginia, is working to turn former coal mining areas and mountaintop removal sites into farmland and forest, using farm animals to root out invasive plants and fertilize the depleted soil. These efforts have created dozens of full-time jobs, and residents are offered training and stipends to work on their […]
Espigoladors: Spain’s second chance for food, planet, and the socially excluded
In Spain, the art of gleaning – harvesting farmers’ unwanted crops – is feeding the hungry and creating employment for the socially excluded, while also reducing pressure on land use, reducing CO2 emissions, conserving water, improving diets, and changing society’s perception of food waste. Finding treasure in waste helps people and climate Espigoladors contributes to the […]
Helping Refugees Start Urban Farms
Plant It Forward Farms trains refugees in the city of Houston to set up their own urban, organic farming businesses. Although Houston resettles the highest number of refugees in the USA, many are unable to find meaningful work. This initiative helps them settle in their new home and earn good livelihoods. It also provides the […]
Regenerative Agriculture Protects the Land and Its Inhabitants
Regenerative agriculture is a type of farming that sequesters CO2 while improving water retention, soil health, and rainfall conservation. It uses techniques such as agroforestry, crop rotation, and rotational grazing, while excluding pesticides and factory farming. Many of the techniques used are an adaptation of indigenous and local farming practices. Regenerative agriculture can help communities […]
Interfaith Power & Light Helps Congregations Protect the Climate
Interfaith Power & Light is an organization helping thousands of diverse religious congregations limit their carbon emissions and organize campaigns to urge lawmakers to take action on climate change. Their programs help faith communities reduce their emissions by increasing renewable energy, energy efficiency, water conservation, and starting local organic farms. They also have a program that […]
Clam Gardens Restore Coastal Health and Indigenous Cultures
Coast Salish tribes in British Columbia, together with The Clam Garden Network, are reviving ancient clam gardens using traditional First Nations methods. These coastal gardens, maintained without the use of plastics or pesticides, provide habitat for sea life and improve local biodiversity. They also provide a sustainable, local, and healthy food source to the coastal tribes. The […]
Solar-Powered Gardens in Benin Reduce Poverty & Food Insecurity
The Solar Electric Light Fund is providing solar-powered pumps that combine with drip irrigation systems to women farmers in Benin. These pumps allow women to farm year-round despite the 6-month dry season, and save them from having to haul water by hand for long distances. As a result of the pumps, food production has increased […]