One Earth Glossary

Agritecture denotes the innovative integration of agricultural practices into built infrastructure, encompassing various methods such as vertical farming, advanced greenhouses, and green roofs, creating sustainable and efficient urban farming solutions that optimize land use and promote local food production in urban settings. 

Green roofs can significantly reduce the urban heat island effect by absorbing and dissipating heat, helping to lower temperatures in urban areas and improve overall air quality. Additionally, green roofs can provide insulation, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling in buildings. Agritecture is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Agroforestry is the practice of cultivating trees, crops, and sometimes livestock in a complementary manner, allowing for multi-story production of diverse products that promote biodiversity, improve soil health, and enhance ecosystem resilience. Agroforestry is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Alkalinization is the process of adding naturally occurring substances like olivine sand to seawater to enhance the ocean's natural carbon sink without harming plant or animal populations. This approach aims to stabilize or raise the pH levels of seawater, making it less acidic. Some methods of alkalinization, like electrochemical weathering or using fuel cells to enhance alkalinity, produce hydrogen, which could be used as an alternative energy source.

Animating the carbon cycle, or ACC, is a climate solution that champions the critical role wildlife can play in controlling carbon exchange between ecosystems and the atmosphere. Healthy populations of wild animals, both terrestrial and marine, can boost the ability of ecosystems to store carbon, helping the planet stay within 1.5°C of temperature rise over pre-industrial levels.

An apex predator, also known as a top predator, is a predator at the top of a food chain without natural predators of its own. Apex predators affect the population dynamics of prey species and the populations of other predators, in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Assemblages refers to “large mammal assemblages,” which are groupings of all naturally occurring species of large mammals in an area. These intact natural groupings play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems and influencing other species down the food chain. Large mammal landscapes, like the Pantanal wetlands in Western Brazil—home to the world's largest jaguars, comprise Layer 4 of the Global Safety Net. Protecting large mammal landscapes where seasonal groupings of animals occur—particularly megafauna—is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Sustainable biochar refers to turning sustainably sourced biomass into charcoal, which can enrich and fortify agricultural soil, enhancing its fertility, water retention, and structure while sequestering carbon. Sustainable biochar can sequester carbon to help mitigate climate change while providing energy and increasing crop yields. Sustainable biochar is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the variability of living things that make up life on Earth—from plants and animals to fungi and bacteria— and the ecosystems that house them. As our seventh intersectional theme in the One Earth Solutions Framework, biological diversity emphasizes the vital importance of protecting the Earth's vast array of life. This theme champions the interconnectedness of all living things, recognizing that the health of our planet is dependent on the richness of its biodiversity. From conserving our forests to protecting endangered species, this theme intertwines with all solution pathways, reminding us that every climate solution is, at its heart, a solution that respects and protects the web of life.

Sustainable biofuels are combustible liquid fuels produced from non-food feedstocks like algae and waste biomass, in contrast to those sourced from crops like soy and corn, which compete for critical agricultural land required for food production. Sustainable biofuel is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Sustainable biomass power uses cellulosic waste products such as wood scraps, agricultural residues, and organic landfill materials for combustion in a thermoelectric generator to produce electricity while ensuring that harvested trees are not used as a fuel source to maintain forest sustainability. Sustainable biomass power is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Bioregional sourcing emphasizes the procurement of food from local farms and regional ecosystems, promoting sustainable and resilient food systems that support local economies and reduce the environmental impact of long-distance shipping. Sourcing locally contributes to green manufacturing and ultimately helps build consumer confidence. When consumers buy with confidence, the business benefits from increasing positive brand awareness and customer loyalty. Bioregional sourcing is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Blue carbon refers to carbon captured by the world's ocean and coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. These ecosystems are highly efficient at sequestering carbon, doing so at a faster rate than terrestrial forests and storing most of the carbon below ground in the soil and silt, sometimes for thousands of years. 

Blue carbon is critical for mitigating climate change because these coastal habitats can store large amounts of carbon and help reduce the impact of greenhouse gases on the atmosphere. When these ecosystems are protected or restored, they continue to sequester and store carbon, but when they are degraded or destroyed, they release stored carbon back into the atmosphere and oceans, contributing to a warming climate. 

Built environments are any constructed structure or system, including whole cities, residential homes, commercial buildings, government facilities, roads, bridges, and factories, designed with a focus on minimizing energy needs, material usage, and associated emissions. Built environment efficiency is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

A bioregion is a geographical area defined not by political boundaries but by ecological systems. One Earth's Bioregions Framework delineates 185 discrete bioregions organized within the world's major biogeographical realms. With input from an array of field scientists, conservation experts, and geographers, the bioregions provide a framework for collective action to protect and conserve our planet—from scientific research and governance initiatives to philanthropic grantmaking and public advocacy. 

Buffers and greenways are areas of land used to separate cultivated or developed land from protected areas, Indigenous conservation areas, and wildlife habitats. They may also have ancillary benefits, such as agroforestry projects. Buffer areas can help meet a number of natural resource, economic, and social objectives, including providing wildlife habitat, protecting cropland and downstream communities from flood damage, and filtering nutrients, pesticides, and animal waste from agricultural land runoff. Buffers and greenways are a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Circular fibersheds refer to replacing fossil-fuel-based fabrics (nylon, polyester, spandex, etc.) with fabrics and textiles grown using regenerative farming practices and implementing systems to reuse and recycle clothing after its useful life.

A circular fibershed is based on the concept of "soil to soil," so its circularity engages the atmosphere, biosphere, and pedosphere, making sure that the fibers we're working with come from soils we are working actively to regenerate lost carbon stocks.

Then, the plant and animal material coming from those regenerating working landscapes goes through its full cycle of use and, at the end of life, is then able to return to the soil. This form of circularity protects our planet's largest carbon pool, our oceans, which have been feeling the brunt of a non-circular fashion system. Circular fibersheds is the fourth sub-pillar of Regenerative Agriculture in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Launched during Climate Week 2022 in partnership with Vibrant Data Labs, the Climate Finance Tracker (CFT) is an interactive, visual database that is tracking more than $200 billion in capital to more than 6,000 companies and organizations creating climate solutions. 

Climate refugia are unprotected areas not included in other designations of the Global Safety Net that help to stabilize our global climate system by absorbing and storing more than 50 metric tons of carbon per hectare of land. Climate stabilization areas comprise Layer 6 of the Global Safety Net. Protecting climate refugia areas is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Community action is a lever of change that refers to collective efforts taken by groups of individuals at a local level to implement systemic change. Grassroots initiatives can include community efforts to protect and restore nature, reduce carbon emissions, implement local adaptation measures, and foster environmental stewardship.

Composting involves the natural decomposition of organic matter, such as plant debris and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer and soil amendment, contributing to soil health, improved water retention, and carbon sequestration. When compost is applied, the soil's health increases as microbes grow and become more plentiful. Composting is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Coral restoration includes hybridizing or reestablishing corals in areas that have experienced bleaching or other disturbances. Coral reefs occur in less than one percent of the ocean, yet are home to nearly one-quarter of all ocean species. Coral restoration is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Corridors, wildlife corridors, habitat corridors, or green corridors are areas of habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities or structures.

Connectivity, or Wildlife Connectivity, refers to how and to what degree distinct patches of habitat are connected and the ability for animals on land or in water to move freely from place to place. Wildlife Connectivity is the fourth sub-pillar of Nature Conservation in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

An environmental treaty of the United Nations, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. This unique treaty brings governments and wildlife experts together to address the conservation needs of terrestrial, aquatic, and avian migratory species and their habitats around the world. Since the Convention's entry into force in 1979, its membership has grown to include 133 Parties from Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Crop optimization refers to using Al and data modeling to determine the optimal location for various crops, increasing overall yields and crop resilience while reducing water consumption. Crop production will need to increase by about 60% to satisfy the demand for food for the fast-growing population globally, demonstrating the need for crop optimization. Crop optimization is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Decarbonization is the process of reducing the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. This is done by moving away from using fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, or oil and adopting low-carbon or carbon-free renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, wave, and geothermal. This transition is crucial in mitigating climate change by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The ultimate objective of decarbonization is to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint, meaning that the amount of emissions produced is balanced by the amount removed from the atmosphere. This helps to keep the global average temperature rise in line with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.

District heat is a utility-scale system for distributing heat from renewable sources (such as bioenergy, solar thermal, heat pumps, or geothermal) through a system of insulated pipes for residential and industrial needs. District heat is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Dryland irrigation refers to identifying presently rainfed cropland that could be irrigated to increase yields and reduce food insecurity without increasing land needed for agriculture or depleting sustainable water resources. Dryland irrigation helps employ sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices, like keeping the soil rooted year-round. Dryland irrigation is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Ecological Civilization describes a world in which human communities (our systems of economics, agriculture, education, production and consumption, etc.) are designed to promote the overall well-being of people and the planet. It’s a vision for a more sustainable and just society; a world that works for all.

An ecoregion is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than a bioregion, which in turn is smaller than a biogeographic realm. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural communities and species.

An ecosystem is a geographic area where all living organisms (plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and people) and their physical environment (soil, water, air, sunlight, and weather) interact together in a complex web to create the unit of life in which they all exist. 

Ecosystem engineers are species that modify their environment in ways that create new habitats for other species.

Ecosystem restoration involves assisting the recovery of degraded ecosystems and their natural processes through measures including reforestation, habitat regeneration, and the rewilding of keystone species. Ecosystem restoration is the third sub-pillar of Nature Conservation in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Education and awareness involve the process of educating individuals and communities about the solutions to the climate crisis that already exist, as well as expanding the general understanding of what constitutes a climate solution. This strategy is crucial for fostering informed decision-making and behavior change at multiple levels to affect systemic change. Examples include curriculum development, public awareness campaigns, and leveraging media to increase understanding and awareness of climate change. By equipping individuals, communities, and institutions with knowledge, we can inspire them into action.

Electric heat encompasses several technologies, such as heat pumps, space heaters, and induction ovens, that can convert renewable electricity into heat through electric resistance, radiation, induction, or efficient heat transfer. Electric heat is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Electric transport refers to any mode of transportation, including trains, trams, cars, buses, and bikes, powered by renewable electricity either directly from the grid or through stored battery energy. Electric transport is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is the primary law in the United States for protecting and conserving threatened or endangered species. It is a fluid document, allowing species to be added and removed from the list and aids in implementing plans for their recovery.

Energy efficiency refers to the reduction of total energy demand through intelligent behavioral and technological measures without lowering living standards. Energy Efficiency is the fourth sub-pillar of Energy Transition in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

An estuary is a partially enclosed, coastal water body where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean. Estuaries and their surrounding lands are places of transition from land to sea.

Fibershed is a term coined by Rebecca Burgess in 2011 to describe a geographical landscape that defines and gives boundaries to a natural textile resource base. Generally, a fibershed largely works with locally grown, organic production and manufacture of natural fibers made from plants such as cotton, linen, and hemp or wool-based textiles from sheep, alpaca, llama, and even, yak. Fibershed leaders are usually farmers, makers, and small business owners that are committed to natural fiber textile manufacturing.

Fiber sourcing is the responsible procurement of natural fibers, like linen, wool, hemp, and jute, from environmentally sustainable and ethically managed sources that support soil health, waterways, and biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration. The global market for "eco-fibers" is projected to grow from $40.38 billion in 2020 to $58.29 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% over the forecast period. Fiber sourcing is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

A flagship species is a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon, or symbol for a defined habitat, issue, campaign, or environmental cause. By focusing on and achieving conservation of that species, the status of many other species that share its habitat—or are vulnerable to the same threats—may also be improved. In the One Earth Bioregions Framework, a flagship species is a keystone or ecologically significant species that has been identified to represent the unique biogeographical diversity of each of Earth's 844 ecoregions.

Food upcycling involves the creative repurposing of food byproducts, surplus food, and cosmetically imperfect food into new edible products in an effort to reduce food waste. Globally, we lose around $1 trillion per year on wasted or lost food. Upcycled food captures that value and leverages it to create a sustainable and resilient food system. Food upcycling is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Food is a resource that represents large amounts of energy, resources, and time. Reducing the amount of food wasted through on- and off-farm measures increases our resource efficiency and allows the nutrients in food to cycle back into our food system. Food Waste Reduction is the third sub-pillar of Regenerative Agriculture in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Forest recovery refers to restoring previously logged or degraded forests through natural regeneration. This restoration can be unassisted or assisted, with the latter involving periodic clearing of invasive species, if present. According to the One Earth Climate Model, if 25% of secondary forests were set aside for conservation and allowed to naturally restore, they could collectively sequester 52 Gt of CO₂ by the end of the century. Forest recovery is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Gender equity embodies the notion that women's empowerment is crucial for climate action. Women across the globe are often the first to feel the impacts of climate change, particularly in regions where they are primary food producers and water collectors. Yet, they are underrepresented in decision-making processes and climate negotiations. By addressing gender inequities, we unlock a powerful climate solution. When equipped with equal resources and rights, women can drive sustainable practices in their communities, innovate climate solutions, and lead the charge toward environmental resilience. Hence, gender equity is not just a social imperative but a climate one, cutting across various One Earth solution pathways, from ecosystem restoration to renewable energy transition.

Geothermal heat involves the extraction and distribution of subsurface latent heat for residential or industrial heating. Geothermal resources are classified by their temperature level, ranging from low temperature (<90˚C) to high (150-250˚C), which differentiates their suitability for various heat processes, from food processing to industrial process heat. Geothermal heat is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Geothermal power involves harnessing naturally occurring underground, typically found in regions near volcanic activity, geysers, or hot springs to generate steam for powering turbines and producing electricity. Geothermal power is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

The first global-scale analysis of land areas requiring protection to solve the interconnected crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, upholding and strengthening Indigenous land rights. 

Grazing optimization involves the strategic rotation of herbivores like cattle, bison, and sheep to allow for rest periods to facilitate pasture regrowth, mimicking natural ecological conditions and promoting sustainable rangeland management practices that support biodiversity and soil health. Facilitating soil carbon sequestration through improved grazing regimes is essential for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. Grazing optimization is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Green hydrogen heat involves using sustainably produced hydrogen to generate heat through combustion for high-heat industrial needs or co-generation fuel cells for lower-heat commercial and residential markets. To reduce the potential for leakage and decrease transportation costs, the US plans to co-localize hydrogen production to hydrogen use, placing new electrolyzers in industrial areas that can put it to use. Green hydrogen heat is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Green hydrogen power involves the production of hydrogen using renewable energy to electrolyze water, which allows for the storage and on-demand use of hydrogen in a fuel cell to provide a clean and sustainable power source. Green hydrogen power is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Green textiles refer to textiles produced through eco-friendly fiber processing and dyeing methods, emphasizing reduced energy consumption and the avoidance of chemicals harmful to human and ecological health. The textile industry generates one-fifth of the world's industrial water pollution, and textile dyeing is the second largest water polluter in the world. Green textiles is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Green hydrogen fuel is produced using renewable energy to electrolyze water (splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen). The resulting hydrogen can be stored and used on demand in a fuel cell to create renewable power. Green hydrogen fuel is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Grassland restoration includes a suite of practices that restore or enhance the health of grassland ecosystems, including managing and planting native species. Grasslands are among the largest terrestrial biomes, covering >25% of the Earth's surface. Grassland restoration is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Healthy feed refers to a nutritionally balanced diet provided to livestock that contains essential macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and adequate fiber, fostering animal well-being, reducing reliance on antibiotics, and mitigating methane emissions. Healthy feed is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Sustainable hydropower refers to using smaller-scale dams that generate electricity through the controlled flow of water but preserve aquatic ecosystems and ensure unobstructed fish migration pathways. Sustainable hydropower is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth's Solutions Framework. 

An iconic species is a charismatic and ecologically significant animal selected to represent the unique biogeographical diversity of each bioregion in the One Earth Bioregions Framework. Iconic species often play a critical role in their ecosystems—as keystones, umbrellas, indicators, or ecosystem engineers. 

An indicator species is a species that reflects the health and biodiversity of its ecosystem and can be studied to monitor environmental conditions and changes.

Indigenous tenure refers to land currently occupied or managed by Indigenous People or Local Communities (IPLCs) that are legally recognized by governments as belonging to those communities. Although Indigenous Peoples comprise less than 5% of the world's population, they live on and protect lands that contain 80% of Earth's biodiversity. Indigenous tenure is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solution Framework. 

Industries and services encompass technological innovations, new systems, and upgrades that reduce the energy intensity and direct emissions from manufacturing chemicals, metals, electrical goods, textiles, materials, and cement. Efficiency in industries and services is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solution Framework. 

Intact wilderness refers to unprotected areas with a large extent of intact wilderness, such as continuous forests, shrublands, and grasslands, that aren't identified in previous layers of the Global Safety Net. This layer is composed of unprotected parts of the Last of the Wild in each ecoregion and other wilderness areas that provide potential macro-refugia for wildlife and representation of fauna. 

Intactness is a crucial component of the Global Safety Net as it represents large, contiguous areas of habitat that are essential for the conservation of biodiversity, particularly for wide-ranging species and intact ecological processes. These areas are important for maintaining the resilience and functioning of ecosystems. By including intactness as a key layer, the Global Safety Net aims to safeguard large, interconnected habitats that are critical for the long-term preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. 

Intact wilderness comprises Layer 5 of the Global Safety Net. Protecting intact wilderness is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Intersectional environmentalism is a holistic environmental approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness of social and environmental justice, advocating for the rights of both people and the planet. This concept, rooted in Kimberlé Crenshaw's intersectionality theory from 1989, recognizes the compounded discrimination arising from overlapping identities like race, class, and gender within oppressive systems. It highlights the historical exclusion of marginalized communities from environmental movements, which traditionally favored white, affluent perspectives, thereby exacerbating racial and social inequalities. By acknowledging the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on marginalized communities, especially low-income BIPOC groups, due to colonialism and capitalism, intersectional environmentalism advocates for climate justice and equity through informed activism, policy, and education. It calls for solidarity with marginalized communities and active engagement in promoting inclusive, restorative environmental efforts.

A keystone species is a species that plays a critical role in the structure, functioning, or regulation of a habitat or ecosystem. These species are essential for maintaining balance in the local biodiversity of an ecosystem, influencing the abundance and types of other species in a habitat. They are considered the "glue" that holds an ecosystem together because their removal would trigger a chain of events that significantly alters the structure and biodiversity of their ecosystem. Focusing on keystone species, conservation actions for that species may help to preserve the structure and function of a wide range of habitats linked with that species during its life cycle.

Land conservation refers to the long-term protection and Indigenous governance of natural land areas and wildlife across forests, wetlands, grasslands, and drylands. Land Conservation is the first sub-pillar of Nature Conservation in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Land corridors are landscapes that connect two or more wildlife areas, allowing animals to move freely between larger areas of intact habitat. Land corridors can increase movement between isolated populations, help to increase genetic diversity, and increase food availability for a variety of species. Land corridors are a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Land habitats are unprotected land areas with groupings of plants and animals vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems. High biodiversity areas comprise Layer 3 of the Global Safety Net. Protecting these biodiversity-rich land habitats is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Legal empowerment is a lever of change that refers to increasing access to justice and the rule of law for marginalized individuals and communities. It can enable local communities to secure rights to their land, resist harmful environmental practices, participate in decision-making processes, and access mechanisms for climate justice.

Mammal assemblages refer to unprotected large mammal landscapes where seasonal groupings of animals, particularly megafauna, occur. Large mammal landscapes, like the Pantanal wetlands in Western Brazil, home to the world’s largest jaguars, comprise Layer 4 of the Global Safety Net.

Marine habitats are unprotected areas with groupings of plants and animals that are vital to maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. Protecting marine habitats is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Mangrove restoration is the process of reviving or rehabilitating coastal mangrove ecosystems, which help sequester carbon, safeguard coastlines against storms and erosion, and foster biodiversity. Mangrove restoration is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Marine corridors serve as migration routes for sea birds, fish, and marine mammals free of interference from human activity. The Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) was established in 2004 to provide for the long-term conservation of nature, restore ecosystem resilience, and mitigate the damage to marine biodiversity caused by human activities. Marine corridors are a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Protected seas, or Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), are sections of the ocean that are currently protected or recognized by governments, with limits placed on human activity in an effort to conserve marine biodiversity and habitats. This includes all IUCN-protected area classes as well as Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs). Over 5,000 Marine Protected Areas have been established worldwide, covering 0.8% of the ocean. MPAs are a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Meal planning involves the strategic preparation and organization of meals to save money, improve health, and reduce food waste. Wasted food accounts for 2.6% of the annual greenhouse gas emissions in the US, which is equivalent to 1 in 7 cars on the road. Reducing food waste is a top strategy for reducing your carbon foodprint. Meal planning is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Meat-free proteins represent an emerging sector in the food industry focused on plant-based protein alternatives sourced from pulses, seaweed, moringa, and other high-protein sources that can be produced and processed sustainably. When demand shifts from animal-based proteins to alternative proteins, farmers are less pressured to convert native vegetation into farmland, and some existing farmland could even be restored to native vegetation. Incorporating meat-free proteins in our diets is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Nature/Climate finance is a lever of change that refers to the mobilization of both governmental and private sector financial resources to fund and rapidly scale climate and nature solutions. Examples include government grants, private investments, and public-private partnerships.

In simple terms, net zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere by oceans and forests, for instance.

Ocean conservation is the long-term protection and sustainable management of marine areas and species—from coastal ecosystems and coral reefs to deep ocean habitats. Ocean Conservation is the second sub-pillar of Nature Conservation in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Offshore wind power involves the installation of wind turbines anchored to the sea floor, capitalizing on the consistently higher wind speeds over the ocean and enabling the use of larger turbines, thus enhancing their efficiency compared to onshore counterparts, ultimately generating electricity through the rotation of an electric generator. Offshore wind is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

At the core of our work is the groundbreaking One Earth Climate Model, Achieving the Paris Climate Agreement Goals (Teske et al. 2019), which provides a breakthrough roadmap for solving the climate crisis and limiting global average temperature rise to 1.5°C. This research, supported by One Earth, was the culmination of a two-year collaboration with 17 leading scientists at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), two institutes at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and the University of Melbourne’s Climate & Energy College. The 500-page book was released by the prestigious scientific publisher Springer Nature and has quickly become the most downloaded climate text in the publisher’s history, cited in dozens of scientific papers. It provides the least-cost pathways for decarbonizing our energy system using currently available technologies and shows the powerful role forests and agricultural systems can play. 

Part two of the One Earth Climate Model was published in August 2022 and provides decarbonization strategies for all major industries with unprecedented granularity. The level of detail achieved will enable the finance sector to set distinct emissions benchmarks and create time-bound targets to track their investments toward a net-zero goal. Overall, this research will accelerate the energy transition and keep the industry and financial sectors accountable for limiting warming to 1.5°C

On-farm storage solutions, including technologies like solar-powered refrigerators, contribute to significant reductions in crop losses due to inadequate or inaccessible cold storage, ensuring the freshness and quality of produce before it is sold or taken to market. On-farm grain storage can give a farmer financial benefits, greater control over where crops are sold, a hearty supply of animal feed, and protection against weather damage. On-farm storage is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Onshore wind power is generated through the use of large wind turbines equipped with long blades that harness the kinetic energy of the wind to drive a connected electric generator. Onshore wind is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Pastoralism is a subsistence agricultural practice that involves raising domestic animals in natural grassland environments, often in dryland areas. What distinguishes pastoral systems is traditional knowledge, centuries-long tested experiences based on inference and ground truthing, with a propensity to adapt to new circumstances. Pastoralism is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Perennial superfoods, including acai, goji, and moringa, are exceptionally high in nutrients and beneficial for human health but do not require replanting each year, reducing soil erosion and increasing carbon sequestration relative to annual crops. Studies have demonstrated that superfoods high in antioxidants and flavonoids help prevent coronary heart disease and cancer, improve immunity, and decrease inflammation. Perennial superfoods are a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Permaculture is a way of designing systems—whether it's a garden, a farm, or even a whole community—that mimic natural ecosystems to create sustainable and self-sufficient environments. It's about working with nature, not against it, using principles that focus on thoughtful planning, using resources wisely, and creating harmonious relationships between people and the environment. 

Philanthro-activism is a lever of change that involves directing philanthropic resources to community-led, on-the-ground projects that are implementing solutions to solve the climate crisis and protect biodiversity. 

The Planetarian Diet emphasizes a nutritional approach outlined by the EAT-Lancet Commission, promoting sustainable and healthy dietary habits, including reduced red meat consumption, increased vegetable intake, and decreased food waste, aiming to support global food security and environmental sustainability for a growing population. Reducing your overall meat consumption is essential because the production contributes to the ever-increasing social and economic costs of poor public health, climate disaster relief, and environmental degradation. Adopting the Planetarian Diet is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Policy and governance is a lever of change involving the implementation of effective policies, laws, and regulations that promote sustainable practices, reduce carbon emissions, and protect nature, as well as the effective governance necessary to ensure compliance at local, national, and international levels. Examples range from local urban planning to national carbon pricing to international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord.

Polyculture is the practice of cultivating multiple crops, often with symbiotic properties, in the same area, which helps sequester carbon, enhance biodiversity, and improve yield resilience. Like natural systems, polycultures offer benefits, including reduced pest damage and soil conservation, even increasing crop yields per area compared to monocultures. Polyculture is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Protected lands are places already protected or recognized by governments, including all International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)-protected area classes and Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) as defined by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC). Protected lands comprise Layer 1 of the Global Safety Net and are a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Protected seas, or Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), are sections of the ocean that are currently protected or recognized by governments, with limits placed on human activity in an effort to conserve marine biodiversity and habitats. This includes all IUCN-protected area classes as well as Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs). Over 5,000 Marine Protected Areas have been established worldwide, covering 0.8% of the ocean. MPAs are a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Climate change poses significant threats to public health around the world. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, poor air quality, and other impacts of climate change directly harm human health. Climate-induced environmental changes intensify existing health risks and create new challenges for public health systems worldwide, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations. From the spread of infectious diseases to the mental health impacts of climate disasters, the well-being of all humans is intimately tied to the health of our planet. Public Health intersects with every solution pathway—whether we are creating sustainable cities, transitioning to clean energy, or ensuring food security, the health of humanity should be a central consideration.

Rarity sites, or Conservation Imperatives, are unprotected areas that need to be protected immediately due to the presence of rare or range-restricted plant and animal species. Species Rarity Sites total 1.2% of the planet’s land and comprise Layer 2 of the Global Safety Net. Protecting rarity sites is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Recycle and reuse refers to the adoption of sustainable fashion practices, including the concept of "slow fashion," which encourages the use, repair, and repurposing of second-hand apparel, along with the recycling and upcycling of fibers for additional purposes, all aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of the prevailing culture of "fast fashion." Every ton of reused discarded textiles prevents 20 tons of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere. Recycling and reusing is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Regenerative Agriculture describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle. One Earth has identified Regenerative Agriculture as the third pillar of collective action to solve the interconnected crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.  

Regenerative croplands consist of a wide variety of farm management techniques that increase the net carbon stored in farmland, increase crop resilience, decrease food miles, decrease inputs while increasing yields, and eliminate the emissions associated with fertilizer. Regenerative Croplands is the first sub-pillar of Regenerative Agriculture in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed, such as sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. 

Reforestation involves planting native trees in areas affected by man-made disturbances (e.g., logging, mining, agricultural clearing, and development) or by natural disturbances (e.g., wildfires, drought, and insect and disease infestations). A 2019 analysis suggests that planting trees in areas that would naturally support woodlands and forests on an additional 0.9 billion hectares could capture 205 gigatonnes of carbon. Reforestation is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Renewable heat refers to heating water, buildings, and industrial processes using carbon-free energy sources that are naturally replenished. Renewable Heat is the second sub-pillar of Energy Transition in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Renewable power refers to electricity generated from carbon-free or carbon-neutral sources that are naturally replenished faster than they can be consumed. Renewable Energy is the first sub-pillar of Energy Transition in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Renewable transport refers to vehicles that are powered by either renewable electricity or portable carbon-neutral fuels like green hydrogen, synfuel, and biofuel. Renewable Transport is the third sub-pillar of Energy Transition in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Rivers and streams are dynamic freshwater systems that flow across the landscape, serving as natural corridors for aquatic and terrestrial species and playing a critical role in hydrological cycles, ecosystem function, and biodiversity support. Healthy rivers and streams can help mitigate climate change impacts by supporting diverse ecosystems that sequester carbon, regulating water flow to prevent floods and droughts, and maintaining water quality. Safeguarding these natural corridors is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.  Restoring riparian zones, reducing pollution in waterways, and managing water use are critical to safeguarding these vital ecosystems.

Sustainable rice farming employs a variety of eco-friendly practices that minimize resource usage, enhance productivity through improved seed selection and reduced crop loss, and mitigate methane emissions by implementing water management techniques that limit the duration of flooding in rice paddies. Sustainable rice farming can decrease water use by 2%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, and increase income by 10%. Sustainable rice farming is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Science & Technology is a lever of change that utilizes scientific research and technological innovation to provide decision-makers at all levels with the tools and knowledge they need to prioritize implementing the best climate solutions. Examples include the development of science-based roadmaps to keep the world below 1.5°C like the One Earth Climate Model and the Global Safety Net and digital tools for conservation such as Trailguard AI.

Seed diversity refers to practices that increase the genetic diversity of plants available to farmers by restoring heirloom crops or creating new strains through hybridization, which bolster food security and enhance crop resilience to pest and climate impacts. Without seed diversity, it's difficult for plants to adapt to pests, diseases, and changing climate conditions—a particular concern as the world warms. Seed diversity is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Silvopasture is the agricultural practice of intentionally integrating forestry and grazing livestock on a single piece of land to optimize production while enhancing biodiversity and carbon sequestration and diversifying farmer's outputs. Silvopasture systems sequester carbon in trees and soil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, and improve landscape resilience to climate change by maintaining diverse ecosystems. One of the main advantages of silvopasture systems is reducing heat stress in livestock, which improves animal performance and well-being. Silvopasture is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Smallholder farming refers to family or community farms on less than five acres, which aid food security and climate change by allowing for micro-management of a diversity of crops adapted to a specific region with much lower carbon footprints than industrial agriculture. While 75 percent of the world's food is generated from only 12 plants and five animal species, making the global food system highly vulnerable to shocks, biodiversity is critical to smallholder systems that keep many rustic and climate-resilient varieties and breeds alive. Smallholder farms are a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Social justice acknowledges that climate change disproportionately impacts marginalized and vulnerable communities. Therefore, the fight against climate change is a fight for equality and fairness. This theme spotlights the need for climate policies that center equity, ensuring that those most affected by climate change have a voice in shaping solutions. Climate justice intersects with every solution pathway, insisting that whether we're transforming energy systems or protecting ecosystems, the rights and needs of all people must be front and center.

Soil management encompasses a range of holistic farming practices, including cover crops, erosion control, microbial inoculants, and non-fertilizer soil improvers, designed to foster soil health, resilience, and carbon content, ensuring sustainable and productive agricultural systems while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Given its multiple benefits, including improved food production, soil carbon sequestration, and the conservation of existing soil carbon stocks, it is a crucial mitigation pathway to achieve the 1.5°C global target of the Paris Climate Agreement. Soil management is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Solar heat is the process of harnessing thermal energy from the sun, commonly achieved through a sealed flat plate with copper pipes, utilized for residential, commercial, or industrial space heating or water heating. Heat derived from solar energy is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight into electrical energy using cells made of semiconductor materials. Solar PV is a cornerstone of the energy transition because it provides a clean, renewable source of electricity, significantly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy system. To accelerate the adoption of solar PV, we must invest in research and development to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, incentivize solar installations through policy and financial support, and integrate solar energy into the grid to ensure reliable and widespread access to clean energy. Solar PV is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Solarpunk is a movement that uses speculative fiction, art, fashion, and activism to envision and advocate for actualizing a sustainable future interconnected with nature and community. 

Species rewilding is the process of reintroducing species of wild terrestrial and marine animals that were previously driven out or exterminated from their native habitats. Rewilding just 20 large mammal species back to their historic habitats could restore ecosystems across almost one-quarter of the Earth’s land. Species rewilding is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Sustainable fertilizers are organic-based fertilizers, including compost, herbivore manures, vermiculture, microbial soil amendments, and domestic sewage, fostering nutrient-rich soil, promoting healthy crop growth, and minimizing detrimental environmental impacts. Organic fertilizers can improve soil structure over time by increasing aeration and water-holding capacity of the soil. Sustainable fertilizers are a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Solar Thermoelectric or Concentrated solar power (CSP) technology utilizes mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, generating heat that drives a turbine or heat engine to produce electricity. Concentrated solar power is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Sustainable fisheries are fishing operations managed in a manner that ensures the long-term health and productivity of fish stocks and the marine ecosystems in which they live. This involves harvesting at a rate where the fish population can replenish itself naturally, thereby avoiding overfishing. Sustainable fisheries also consider the impacts of fishing practices on other marine life and habitats, ensuring that the broader ecosystem remains balanced and healthy. The goal is to meet current seafood demands without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Annually, fishers remove more than 77 billion kilograms (170 billion pounds) of wildlife from the sea, raising concerns about overfishing and the potential collapse of the world’s fisheries. Sustainable fisheries are a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Sustainable rangelands pertain to shifting diets to decrease the strain on our rangelands, managing pastureland to decrease methane emissions, and maximizing carbon stored in the soil by eliminating deforestation and increasing ecosystem health. Sustainable Rangelands is the second sub-pillar of Regenerative Agriculture in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Sustainable forestry is a forest management technique that includes selective logging instead of clear-cutting. It is more expensive but results in high-quality timber products over the longer term, reducing carbon emissions from logging and benefiting wildlife. Reduced-impact logging for climate (RIL-C) is a way to maintain timber production while minimizing forest damage and can reduce logging emissions by 44%. Sustainable forestry is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.  

Sustainable livelihoods highlights the importance of ensuring the transition to a green economy is just and inclusive. It underscores that environmental sustainability and economic prosperity are not mutually exclusive. This theme champions solutions that protect the planet while creating decent work, reducing poverty, and building inclusive societies. Whether through green jobs in renewable energy sectors or sustainable farming practices, Sustainable Livelihoods thread through every solution pathway, ensuring the climate transition leaves no one behind.

Sustainable synfuels are combustible fuels similar to petroleum but synthesized using renewable power and abundant resources such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide, applicable for use in existing aircraft and maritime vessels without substantial engine modifications. Sustainable synfuels are a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Transmission and storage measures refer to techniques that minimize energy loss during power transmission from production to consumption points, encompassing the deployment of smart grids, smart meters, demand response systems, integrated grid storage solutions, utility-scale batteries, and load-shedding techniques. Transmission and storage efficiency is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Transportation efficiency encompasses measures aimed at reducing reliance on energy-inefficient modes of travel, such as automobiles and airplanes, which includes investments in public rail systems, buses, bicycles, and personal electric vehicles (PEVs), along with policies promoting remote work options, lightweight vehicle manufacturing, and other energy-saving measures that contribute to sustainable transportation practices. Transportation efficiency is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Trophic cascades are powerful indirect interactions that can control entire ecosystems, such as the addition or removal of top predators, which results in dramatic changes in the food chain.

An umbrella species is a species that requires such large areas of habitat that its protection will lead to the improved survival of other species that share the same habitat.

Urban biodiversity refers to methods that reintroduce nature and wildlife back into urban or suburban areas, including tree planting, microforests, pollinator meadows, and river restoration. Protecting and restoring urban biodiversity is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Urban gardening encompasses the conversion of turf grass into gardens and cultivating herbs and vegetables in urban spaces such as rooftops, balconies, or community gardens to promote local food production, boost public health, and lower carbon emissions. Urban gardening is a solution pathway under the Regenerative Agriculture pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

Water stewardship emphasizes the importance of responsible management of our planet's life-giving resource, water. This theme advocates for sustainable practices that honor the sacred value of water, guarantee fair distribution, and preserve its quality for all living beings on Earth. Worldwide, two billion people lack access to clean and safe drinking water, highlighting the urgent need for protecting and managing water resources sustainably and equally

Wave energy, or ocean power, harnesses the kinetic energy produced by the natural oscillation of waves, typically achieved through a weighted buoy system that converts the wave motion into electrical energy via a linear or rotary generator. Wave energy offers a vast and untapped renewable energy resource that is predictable, available anytime, and can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Implementation involves deploying wave energy converters in coastal areas with high wave activity, connecting them to the power grid, and ensuring minimal environmental impact on marine ecosystems. Wave energy is a solution pathway under the Energy Transition pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework. 

The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive global database of marine and terrestrial protected areas. It is a joint project between UN Environment Programme and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and is managed by UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), in collaboration with governments, non-governmental organisations, academia and industry.The WDPA is updated on a monthly basis, and can be downloaded from the Protected Planet website. 

Wetlands restoration refers to a combination of management practices and planting native species to restore and enhance the health of all types of wetlands, including marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, seagrass, and kelp forests. Although they cover only 6% of the Earth’s land surface, 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands. Restoring wetlands is a solution pathway under the Nature Conservation pillar in the One Earth Solutions Framework.  

When whales die, their bodies can either wash up on shore or sink to the ocean floor. The more common outcome is a ‘whale fall,’ where the whale’s body sinks to the ocean floor at a depth greater than 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) in the bathyal or abyssal zones. The whale carcasses create complex localized ecosystems that supply a sudden and concentrated food source for deep-sea organisms for decades. The impact of whale falls on the abyssal ecosystem is enormous—a single whale fall can bring more organic material to the sea floor than 200 years of nutrients falling from the surface.

Wildlife connectivity refers to creating and maintaining ecological corridors and connections between natural habitats, enabling species to move and migrate unimpeded across both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Wildlife Connectivity is the fourth sub-pillar of Nature Conservation in the One Earth Solutions Framework.

Youth leadership underscores the vital role of youth in climate action. Young people are not just the beneficiaries of a stable climate future—they are actively shaping it. From leading global climate strikes to pioneering green innovations, the youth are redefining what it means to be a climate leader. This theme cuts across all solution pathways, infusing them with urgency, innovation, and unwavering hope.

The 1.5°C threshold is the critical target of limiting the increase in the world's average surface temperature to no more than 1.5°C (2.7°F) above pre-industrial levels by the year 2100. This target was established in the Paris Agreement in 2015, which brought together 195 nations in a commitment to address climate change by aiming to restrict global warming to "well below" 2°C and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Achieving the 1.5°C target requires rapid and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, a transition to renewable energy sources, protecting Earth's vital ecosystems that act as natural carbon sinks, and changes in lifestyle and consumption patterns. Urgent and coordinated global action is required to meet this goal.