a reprint of the economist’s special report on …...2016/01/13 · i am pleased to provide you...

A reprint of The Economist’s special report on climate change brought to you,

with permission, by

Dear Reader,

I am pleased to provide you with this reprint of The Economist’s special report on climate change.

The report was originally published in the November 28th 2015 edition of The Economist newspaper.

At The Nature Conservancy, we hope to see governments come together in Paris to reach a new international agreement that will result in signi�cant emissions reductions—an agreement that delivers transparency, accountability and a process for countries to ratchet up their commitments over time. For more than 60 years, The Nature Conservancy has relied on sound science, collaboration and innovation to tackle the biggest challenges facing nature and people. Science tells us climate change is an immediate risk to our communities, economies and conservation mission. That’s why we are redoubling our efforts to catalyze the policies, practices and partnerships that will lead to a prosperous, low-carbon future.

Investing in nature can provide powerful solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation. The Nature Conservancy’s research suggests better management of forests, grasslands, wetlands and agricultural systems can mitigate at least 20% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Healthy reefs, mangroves and marshes can cost-effectively reduce risks from climate-related storms and �oods. And nature-based solutions can help us better manage scarce water supplies and make our cities healthier and more resilient.

Many of the ideas, tools and resources we need to tackle the climate challenge already exist. But to affect change at the scale required, leadership will be key. The world needs more bold leaders to step up and make courageous decisions if we’re going to stabilize our climate. It’s a long road ahead, but I’m optimistic that the kind of leadership we have already seen this year—and that I hope we will see here in Paris—will help us break the climate change logjam.

I hope you �nd The Economist’s report informative. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s work on these issues, please visit global.nature.org.

Sincerely yours,

Mark R. Tercek President and CEOThe Nature Conservancy

CONTENTS

The science of climate changeSupermodels

Public opinionGroupthink

EnergyWhen the wind blows

ChinaSeeing daylight

AdaptationIf you can’t stand the heat

BiodiversityA modern ark

GeoengineeringIf all else fails

The way forwardSecond-best solutions

Dear Reader,

I am pleased to provide you with this reprint of The Economist’s special report on climate change.

The report was originally published in the November 28th 2015 edition of The Economist newspaper.

At The Nature Conservancy, we hope to see governments come together in Paris to reach a new international agreement that will result in signi�cant emissions reductions—an agreement that delivers transparency, accountability and a process for countries to ratchet up their commitments over time. For more than 60 years, The Nature Conservancy has relied on sound science, collaboration and innovation to tackle the biggest challenges facing nature and people. Science tells us climate change is an immediate risk to our communities, economies and conservation mission. That’s why we are redoubling our efforts to catalyze the policies, practices and partnerships that will lead to a prosperous, low-carbon future.

Investing in nature can provide powerful solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation. The Nature Conservancy’s research suggests better management of forests, grasslands, wetlands and agricultural systems can mitigate at least 20% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Healthy reefs, mangroves and marshes can cost-effectively reduce risks from climate-related storms and �oods. And nature-based solutions can help us better manage scarce water supplies and make our cities healthier and more resilient.

Many of the ideas, tools and resources we need to tackle the climate challenge already exist. But to affect change at the scale required, leadership will be key. The world needs more bold leaders to step up and make courageous decisions if we’re going to stabilize our climate. It’s a long road ahead, but I’m optimistic that the kind of leadership we have already seen this year—and that I hope we will see here in Paris—will help us break the climate change logjam.

I hope you �nd The Economist’s report informative. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s work on these issues, please visit global.nature.org.

Sincerely yours,

Mark R. Tercek President and CEOThe Nature Conservancy

CONTENTS

The science of climate changeSupermodels

Public opinionGroupthink

EnergyWhen the wind blows

ChinaSeeing daylight

AdaptationIf you can’t stand the heat

BiodiversityA modern ark

GeoengineeringIf all else fails

The way forwardSecond-best solutions

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How the world uses and produces energy has been the headline story but it is clear that low-carbon land-use strategies also have a significant role to play in the portfolio of climate action.

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“Governments, companies, and landowners

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Groups are now coming together to prove a different development model. California has pioneered projects to manage landscapes for climate and economic benefits. In China, depleted forests are being regenerated while creating economic opportunities. Across Latin America, water funds are paying for watershed protection and reforestation, and in Brazil,

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“The answer isn’t to stop development but to make smarter development decisions which provide for the expanded production the world demands, while protecting and restoring critical landscapes and the climate,” said Mark Tercek, The Nature Conservancy’s President and CEO.

Tapping nature’s value as a climate change solution requires new approaches to development

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Nature holds apowerful solution

Carbon monitoring in Indonesia © Bridget Besaw