Ceejay Girard

Check out this resource from ecoAmerica, Introduction to Climate Justice. Read the full sheet here: https://lnkd.in/eZuaqWZr Climate change impacts us all, but certain communities are impacted first and worst. ecoAmerica’s Introduction to Climate Justice discusses the intersectionality between climate justice and justice for marginalized communities. Read the full sheet to learn what you can do to act. #ClimateChange #ClimateJustice

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I'm constantly amazed at the breadth and depth of expertise going into climate solutions and strategies from my Project Drawdown colleagues. Here is just some of what the team has been focused on lately: Jonathan Foley announced a new initiative on food systems. Up to one-third of total emissions come from food, agriculture, and land use(!!). How we enhance food security while creating more resilient and regenerative ways of feeding people will be critical in the decades ahead. https://bit.ly/3wus4EX Matt Scott, Drew Arrieta, and the Drawdown Stories team are gearing up to launch the Global Solutions Diary, a platform for climate stories from people doing the work to scale solutions on the ground. https://bit.ly/3JcsWkj Yusuf Jameel, PhD, from our Drawdown Science team highlights the need to reduce black carbon, a potent short-lived climate pollutant that is often overlooked in most national climate plans. https://bit.ly/4bjeMKd Daniel Jasper, our in-house policy wonk, writes a powerful and thought-provoking op-ed on why it's time to stop thinking of international climate aid as charity. Our collective climate and ecological challenges don't care about social constructs like borders and debt. https://bit.ly/3VW0Zoo Amanda D. Smith, our expert on the built environment, outlines six systemic shifts necessary for a cleaner, healthier electrical grid that can meet energy demands with reduced climate pollution. https://bit.ly/4bxXxVP If you're interested in learning more about the important work Drawdown does or finding ways to get involved, reach out!

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Kudos to Abigail Bassett and Climatebase for the excellent explainer on carbon offsets and the new Biden administration framework. 3 Key takeaways: 1. We cannot abandon private sector financing of SDG projects. Bravo to the administration's attempts to re-establish U.S. leadership in global climate efforts. We need to embrace a range of climate change strategies beyond domestic regulation and public funding. 2. Not "throwing the baby out with the bath water" - While the Biden administration's carbon offset guidelines are not perfect and face valid criticisms, they demonstrate a willingness to explore innovative policy tools and leverage private sector resources to tackle climate change. 3. Establishing standards for high-integrity offsets can help combat greenwashing - Offset projects that drive real, additional emissions reductions can lead to substantive sustainable impact. This nuanced position acknowledges the complexity of the challenge and the need for pragmatic solutions that engage multiple stakeholders. Are the days of unilateral approaches that promote domestic fossil fuel industries without consideration for international collaboration or market-based solutions behind us? I hope so. https://lnkd.in/eMdeyXd3 #sustainability #carbonoffsets #solutions #SDGs

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*Wonk alert* As a comms professional, I closely follow the work of Yale's Anthony Leiserowitz. I was super excited to read that Tony and colleagues recently published an article in Nature, 'The evolving climate change investing strategies of asset owners,' a deep dive into #assetowners engagement with climate change. This dovetails with CPI's recent analysis of #pensionfunds progress on aligning portfolios with climate change realities, 'State of European Pension Funds’ Net-Zero Transition.' After banks, pensions funds are the largest source of investable capital, and other asset owners like foundations and family offices are hugely influential in investment trends. We need more active engagement from asset owners to address the climate emergency. #climatefinance Both studies find ample opportunity for asset owners to engage with advisors, asset managers, portfolio investments, and each other to overcome barriers and accelerate efforts. Learn more: The evolving climate change investing strategies of asset owners https://lnkd.in/gt5ixy_w State of European Pension Funds’ Net-Zero Transition https://lnkd.in/gnhu-JXp

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This week (Wednesday, November 13th) we are discussing sustainable & equitable food systems in NYC with Rethink Food and NYU Net Impact! We will be collecting food donations (canned, non-perishables) on site that will be donated directly to Rethink Food. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ekFnji7p Read about our panelists below! Ken Baker is the Culinary Director for Rethink Food, a New York City-based nonprofit that delivers sustainable solutions to the city’s problems of food insecurity and food waste. Rethink Food repurposes food excess from around the city into delicious meals for marginalized New Yorkers. Ken works daily to shape a more sustainable and equitable food system. Ken strives toward this mission by stewarding Rethink Food’s Sustainable Community Kitchen in making nutritious, culturally sensitive, restaurant-quality food. Chef Ken has cooked for just about everyone: from a former president of the United States to college students at Johns Hopkins, to our newest neighbors in New York. In each environment, Ken is grounded by his belief that everyone deserves food that leaves them feeling seen and nourished. Both his passion for positive change and culinary skills were further honed at the James Beard Foundation’s Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change. Prior to Rethink Food, Ken studied hospitality management at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, then worked as a catering assistant at the Belvedere Hotel. He co-led Aramark’s campus dining operations at Johns Hopkins University and American University. Ken pivoted to explore his passion for public policy, landing an internship with the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee and a policy manager position at the National Development Council. Ken relocated toNew York City during COVID-19, where he was first introduced to Rethink Food. Erica Lezama is a Strategy and Analytics Extern at Rethink Food. She joins Rethink from The Bridgespan Group, a mission driven consulting firm that works with nonprofits, NGOs, donors and investors to advance learning and accelerate impact of their work and philanthropy. In her 5 years at The Bridgespan Group, Erica worked in New York and South Africa to support mission driven organizations in North America, Africa, and Asia with a particular focus on food security, economic mobility, place-based change, and nonprofit fundraising.  Erica has a deep passion for food justice which fueled her career shift into strategy and analytics for Rethink Food. Born into a food apartheid in Brooklyn herself, Erica feels empowered toreimagine the urban food system, specifically in New York, and is inspired by Rethink's mission and operations. Outside of work, Erica is the founder of the social justice focused food event series The Amandla Collective.  Erica has her Bachelors Degree in Economics and Business Administration from Northeastern University and a Culinary Degree from The Capscium Studio in South Africa.

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Open opportunities

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🌿 Investing in Life vs. Tech: Nature is All We Need! 🌿 🌱 Investing in nature-based solutions, agriculture, and sustainability across all economic sectors is a better approach than investing in tech, fossil fuels, and even infrastructure without a sustainability/regeneration lens. Check out LAURA ORTIZ MONTEMAYOR article "Investing in life vs. investing in tech: Nature is all we need!", which sheds light on the critical need to prioritize investments in regenerative agriculture and natural systems over tech-centric solutions. At the Regenerative Food Systems Investment Summit, Anne van Leeuwen emphasized the importance of investing in soil, compost, seeds, animals, and people rather than expensive infrastructure. Montemayor argues that #agriculture and #food systems are crucial to our economic relationship with people, social justice, and ecosystems. She criticizes recent ag-tech deals in #LatinAmerica for promoting corporate interests and toxic agrochemicals under the guise of impact investing. By outlining three approaches to agriculture—extractive, sustainable, and regenerative—she advocates for the latter due to its context-specific, ecosystem-restorative nature that promotes social justice and biodiversity. The pitfalls of tech-centric investments, contributing to environmental degradation and social inequities, highlight the need for a paradigm shift from artificial intelligence to ecological intelligence. Montemayor emphasizes recognizing and valuing natural capital, pointing out that regenerative agriculture can be profitable while supporting local communities and restoring ecosystems. Investors must reassess their priorities and support nature-based solutions for sustainable and equitable development. True impact lies in long-term ecological and cultural transformations, moving beyond techno-optimism to achieve collective abundance. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eNVG-cbQ #Sustainability #RegenerativeAgriculture #ImpactInvesting #NaturalCapital #SocialJustice #EcologicalIntelligence #TechVsNature #InvestInLife

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"Exciting news! A report I co-authored, "Challenges and Opportunities for the Voluntary Carbon Markets," is now published through Georgetown University. In this report, we delve into the potential of Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs) to drive decarbonization and foster collaboration. We explore both the opportunities and challenges presented by VCMs and how they can be used effectively to support sustainable initiatives worldwide. Trust and Quality are key factors in ensuring the successful implementation and scaling of VCMs. We hope this report will spark valuable conversations and help harness the full sustainability potential of these markets. This report was informed by a workshop organized at Georgetown University last year. We extend our gratitude to the large number of speakers and participants from industry, academia, and other organizations for their valuable insights at the workshop. You can read the report at: https://lnkd.in/eqmJfP97 #VoluntaryCarbonMarkets #Decarbonization #Sustainability #ClimateAction" #VCM

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When I began to work with rubber tappers in Acre, Brazil, and other forest-based communities in the late 1980s, our goal was to increase conservation by making sustainable businesses more profitable. And in just four years, we were able to triple the price paid to Brazil nut collectors in Acre by reducing the waste rate from 40% to 5% by shelling the nuts in Acre rather than selling them in the shell to the family with the shelling monopoly in Belem. We also found that other nut buyers in Brazil and other countries followed our lead and doubled their prices. The rubber tappers used those profits and the 300+ jobs created by shelling the nuts locally to elect their candidates for governor, senators, and deputies in the federal government. It was the government in Acre that slowed deforestation. Fast forward to today, the key issue that has not been addressed is that speculation and land clearing generates wealth. This is a tried-and-true strategy. If forests are going to generate more money, then the markets for carbon sequestration and other environmental services will have to be much stronger and will likely require floors. To date they have not. That is the challenge.

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Yesterday, Overstory Ventures was honored to co-host a workshop with Transformational Investing in Food Systems with a powerhouse group of 30 leading Upper Midwest farmers, farmer-led organizations, emerging brands, major industry partners and coalitions, agricultural lenders, funders, ecosystem builders, and university partners to develop major regional regenerative transition efforts or "Lighthouse Initiatives" to advance diversified, continuous living cover agriculture in the region. Thank you, David Cooper, for joining and sharing your expertise on innovative financial mechanisms to advance the regenerative transition. A few sections of David's reflections that stood out: "Regenerative transition requires more than just deploying capital. It requires us to reimagine how we fundamentally finance food and agriculture. Traditional capital emphasizes short-term returns and standardized metrics. Regenerative capital systems recognize the time horizons of ecological restoration, flexible structures that account for the complexity of diversified operations, and blended approaches that value multiple forms of return – financial, social, and environmental. Our goal isn't just to design new financial mechanisms – it's to build the collaborative infrastructure needed for a regenerative transition that works for all stakeholders. The future of resilient #agriculture depends on innovative financing. Let's build lighthouse projects that unlock capital and scale hashtag #regenerative solutions."

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https://lnkd.in/epxTwMXZ Today, I had the privilege to talk about Latin American leadership on climate and methane during the Project Syndicate event at NYCW. Latin America has a large climate vulnerability and high inequality. Still, despite limitations, it has become the continent with the largest share of renewables and has been an example of electro-mobility and methane mitigation. Here are some examples.

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The Environmental Crimes Toolkit is now live. Financial institutions often unknowingly enable these activities through their lending and investments, or don’t understand the related risks. By helping institutions address these illegal activities, we can reduce the financing of crimes against our planet. #deforestation #financialcrime #environmentalcrime

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Symbiosis is the groundbreaking collaboration between Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Salesforce. This alliance mirrors nature restoration projects, which are vital for climate goals to be met. The work ahead is complex and costly; however, by pooling their unique strengths they commit to addressing challenges by integrating advanced technology, engaging communities equitably, and balancing benefits, while setting a standard for high-quality outcomes. This symbiotic relationship fosters a thriving, sustainable future, proving that true growth lies in the strength of interconnected support systems and innovative pre-competitive collaboration.

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In case you missed it, listen here:

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One question we often ask in the Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) Leadership Series is, "Where do you see the #CleanCooking sector in the next 5-10 years?" I really liked this positive prediction from Gordon Bennett of ICE: "Carbon credits from clean cooking will be a barometer of whether society “voluntarily” values #carbon savings... I am optimistic that, in the next 5-10 years, #CarbonFinance for clean cooking will grow significantly, delivering those 1 billion (metric) tons of emission reductions per annum whilst reducing #energy poverty, improving #health, and #empowering women and girls." Check out the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/d3XZK7gv

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Today, with our Food Solutions New England Network Leadership Institute cohort we are getting both macro and micro, with a focus on complex systems change and flow dynamics, as well as intra- and inter- personal nervous system regulation and "respectful confrontation." The common denominator? #Energy. How energy moves and the patterns that are held in place by different "structures" has a lot to say about systemic health, whether we are talking about economies our bodies or social groups. From an energy systems/networks perspective, long-term human thriving is rooted in large part in healthy social and socio-ecological webs that are diverse, intricate and dynamic. And more specifically, as Dr. Sally J. Goerner and other colleagues in the Research Alliance for Regenerative Economics highlight, aspects of social systemic health are grounded in: 🍀 Collective and adaptive learning – sharing information, working out loud, group inquiry and processing, prototyping, systemic sensing … 🍀 Collaborative culture – practicing facilitative leadership, weaving and coordination, designing for and engaging in collective innovation, linking and leveraging assets, collective decision-making, aligning practice to values such as trust, transparency, generosity … 🍀 Regenerative circulation – monitoring and tending to velocity, directionality, quality and quantity of flows of different resources … 🍀 Resilient structure – experimenting with fractals, distributed governance, strategic redundancy, subsidiarity … More in this post - https://lnkd.in/eP3cb_G

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Reflecting on Climate Week NYC, three key themes really resonated with me: 1. The Power of Narratives: There’s a growing recognition of the need for storytelling—not just about the abuses and devastation, but about the future we want to create. We must dream and imagine new possibilities, blending ancient wisdom with modern solutions. Yet, it was also clear that different groups (funders, Indigenous movements, grassroots organizations, NGOs) speak very different languages. This can sometimes obscure the connections between us. This is where strategic storytelling plays a critical role in our work, bridging gaps and fostering collaboration. 2. A Divided Movement: There is a (completely understandable) disconnect between more urban, youth-led movements, often focused on protecting the future, and Indigenous or land-protection movements, centered on preserving current livelihoods and ways of life. These movements don’t always align, and sometimes there’s even distrust between them. Healing this rift is crucial, and it’s already starting to happen. The Fund for Global Human Rights' approach to supporting visionary work across these divides feels more important than ever, acknowledging the distinct needs while fostering collaboration. 3. The Threats Facing Climate Defenders: The security risks for those protecting our planet are alarmingly real. From surveillance to violence and even murder, we heard chilling stories, reminding me of the killing of Berta Cáceres in Honduras. The climate crisis is deeply entangled with powerful financial interests—whether it's mining, water privatization, or mega-development. When those interests are threatened, conflict often follows. Despite these challenges, I left feeling hopeful, especially from the activist spaces, where there’s real energy around dreaming, visioning, and creating the world we want to see. We already know what we need to know to do this work, together. #ClimateAction #ClimateJustice #Storytelling #IndigenousRights #ClimateWeekNYC #NarrativeChange #AllWeCanSave #ClimatePhilanthropy #philanthropy #environment #humanrights #environmentalrights

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As business, government, and civil society leaders gather for New York Climate Week, this year's theme, "It’s Time!" highlights the pressing need to accelerate climate progress, particularly in light of the record-breaking global temperatures observed in 2024. There is a lot at stake and the mechanisms by which we set set and fulfil targets - be is companies or governments- matter. This article sets out some of the big lines of debatee. It's set to be a pivotal week! #NYClimateWeek #Sustainability #ClimateAction #ItIsTime #ClimateGoals

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Today my team and I at Center for American Progress released a new report: 3 International Climate Priorities for 2024 The piece highlights the urgent actions the Biden-Harris administration must take to solidify its legacy as a transformative force in climate policy. 1. Deliver on Climate Finance Commitments: The U.S. must fulfill its promise of $11.4 billion per year in climate finance. This funding is crucial for supporting global energy transitions and climate resilience, especially for vulnerable nations facing escalating climate impacts. 2. Lead in Green Trade: The Biden-Harris Administration needs to push for a climate-friendly global trade system. This includes advocating for policies that prioritize low-carbon goods, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, and align trade rules with climate goals. Such reforms are essential to reduce global emissions and foster sustainable economic growth. 3. Set Ambitious Emission Targets: The U.S. must establish a new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to peak emissions by 2025 and achieve a 43% reduction by 2030. This would set a strong example, driving global efforts towards a net-zero future and reinforcing U.S. leadership in the fight against climate change on the international stage. The stakes are high: with a rapidly closing window to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, these actions are not just policy choices but imperatives for a sustainable and resilient future. Anne Christianson, PhD Trevor Sutton

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