Hi all,
In the lead up to the United Nations’ COP30 climate change conference in Brazil this November, Bill Gates published a memo stating what he wanted everyone at the conference to know. Brett Jenks, CEO of Rare, agreed with most of what Gates said, but believes that he left a lot out. Here are four things that Jenks would add:
1. Yes, we need to focus more on adaptation. On a global scale, we have not prioritized climate resilience and adaptation. The United Nations recently released a report demonstrating that there is an enormous adaptation funding gap. Only a small amount of global philanthropy goes toward climate change, and an even smaller amount reaches communities that are least responsible but most impacted.
2. And, we need to do both adaptation and mitigation. If you’re in a sinking rowboat, you need to plug the hole AND bail the water. There’s no question that we need to assist people and ecosystems in adapting to climate change, but we cannot ignore the relationship between climate disaster and the emissions that fuel it. Emissions must continue to come down.
3. Yes, put people at the core of our strategies. Conservation is at its essence about people, enabling and empowering them to change their behaviors so that people and nature can thrive.
4. And, we need to invest in nature, not just technology. Gates seems to believe that technological innovation will be our savior in terms of solving climate change. While technology has it place, it is not enough. We must also invest in nature. According to Jenks, “nature is our best ally in tackling climate change and Gates didn’t even mention it”. From the mangroves of Brazil’s Amazon Coast to the reefs of the Coral Triangle, when nature is healthy, it makes us all resilient and ensures food security and livelihood for people living in poverty, which Gates highlighted.
Overall, Jenks calls for a bigger funding pie that gets resources to frontline communities and ensures nature-based solutions to the climate crisis.
To read Brett Jenks’ full response, click here.
In the lead up to the United Nations’ COP30 climate change conference in Brazil this November, Bill Gates published a memo stating what he wanted everyone at the conference to know. Brett Jenks, CEO of Rare, agreed with most of what Gates said, but believes that he left a lot out. Here are four things that Jenks would add:
1. Yes, we need to focus more on adaptation. On a global scale, we have not prioritized climate resilience and adaptation. The United Nations recently released a report demonstrating that there is an enormous adaptation funding gap. Only a small amount of global philanthropy goes toward climate change, and an even smaller amount reaches communities that are least responsible but most impacted.
2. And, we need to do both adaptation and mitigation. If you’re in a sinking rowboat, you need to plug the hole AND bail the water. There’s no question that we need to assist people and ecosystems in adapting to climate change, but we cannot ignore the relationship between climate disaster and the emissions that fuel it. Emissions must continue to come down.
3. Yes, put people at the core of our strategies. Conservation is at its essence about people, enabling and empowering them to change their behaviors so that people and nature can thrive.
4. And, we need to invest in nature, not just technology. Gates seems to believe that technological innovation will be our savior in terms of solving climate change. While technology has it place, it is not enough. We must also invest in nature. According to Jenks, “nature is our best ally in tackling climate change and Gates didn’t even mention it”. From the mangroves of Brazil’s Amazon Coast to the reefs of the Coral Triangle, when nature is healthy, it makes us all resilient and ensures food security and livelihood for people living in poverty, which Gates highlighted.
Overall, Jenks calls for a bigger funding pie that gets resources to frontline communities and ensures nature-based solutions to the climate crisis.
To read Brett Jenks’ full response, click here.
