Sara Holoubek’s Post

Addressing #climatechange will require systemic change and investment in groundbreaking solutions across sectors, industries. That's why incentive prizes and #openinnovation approaches could play a pivotal role in surfacing and accelerating groundbreaking ideas to tackle environmental challenges. We collaborated with the Environmental Policy Innovation Center to curate a list of 50 climate prize ideas that could be championed or sponsored by federal agencies, grantmaking institutions, and other types of funders. From carbon capture technologies to sustainable agriculture breakthroughs, these prize opportunities will inspire fresh thinking about how open innovation could be used to invite a wide range of people and ideas to climate and environmental problem-solving. 🌎 ➡ Help us expand this list! Which prize ideas spark your interest and show the greatest potential impact? What crucial climate opportunities are missing? #OpenInnovation #ClimateInnovation #ClimateAction #SustainableSolutions #GreenInnovation #EnvironmentPrizes https://lnkd.in/e9EwUrjE

Developed by John Sterman an expert in the field of management flight simulators based on system dynamics models; this is sure to be useful leadership tool for those working in the climate space.

From MIT Sloan: "A free, updated simulator allows users (that's YOU, business leaders) to visualize environmental impacts and better guide climate decision-making in their organizations". #climateaction #climatechangeleadership #climatechangeaction #sustainabilityleaders #sustainabilityleadership #businessleadership #CSR #ESG #climatedata #modelingandsimulation

Euronews wants to promote the positive environmental stories. As it says "while there's a lot to be worried about when it comes to the climate and nature crises, we must not lose hope - because hopelessness breeds apathy". In 2023, Euronews Green kept track of all the positive environmental news throughout the year. It racked up over 200 stories of eco-innovation, green breakthroughs and climate wins - more than double the number in 2022 and a sure sign of momentum. A good initiative to highlight the upside of the battle that we must collectively win. #climateaction

🌍POLLUTION AND CLIMATE - a Journey through Comprehension🌱 In our data-rich, technologically advanced world, one might assume that we possess a pristine understanding of our environment and the transformations it undergoes. Yet, when we delve into specific issues, such as decoding climate changes, the landscape becomes remarkably intricate. 🤔🌐 During the design of an environmental monitoring system, I've faced some nuanced yet pivotal questions... 1) The Complexity Quandary: How can we gain a comprehensive perspective and formulate coherent strategies amidst the complexity of environmental substances metabolic cycles? 🔄🔍 2) Data's Dual Nature: What happens when, beyond the realm of precisions and accuracies, data interpretation conflicts with different or even opposing interests? 📊🤝 3) The Shifting Terrain: Causes and effects often swap positions when viewed from diverse perspectives or across varying timeframes. 🔄🏞️ On a small scale, such as in limited areas, a holistic, easily comprehensible measure of environmental quality can be grasped designing Environmental Quality Indexes, encompassing factors like the types of individuals exposed to the environment, timeframes, activities… 🌳🌇 … but, as we scale up to the intricacies of pollution and climate changes that embrace the entire Earth, EQI approaches are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine, and questions persist. 🚢❓ The Earth's climate is shaped by everything from greenhouse gas emissions to ocean currents, and these elements interact in ways that challenge our capacity to make unequivocal assertions. 🌊🌍 Whether we're grappling with the interactions of environmental elements, or navigating the intricacies of global agreements, complexity muddles our comprehension. 🤷♂️🌐 Are these changes genuine? What is their magnitude? What propels them? What repercussions do they carry? 🌎❓ Atop this complexity sits the global-scale challenge of forging consensus and catalyzing collective actions. Climate change is a worldwide predicament, necessitating cooperation from every corner of the globe. 🤝🌐 Discovering common ground among diverse nations, each with its own priorities and challenges, can be far more daunting than deciphering intricate environmental data. 🗺️🤯 So, how do we navigate these uncertainties? How do we ensure that our collective actions address the intricacies of climate change? 🚀🌍 These questions transcend scientific understanding, extending into the realms of politics, economics, and human behavior, requiring minds and efforts in science, technology, policy-making, and social sciences. 🌐💡 One certainty prevails: the imperative of collective effort and steadfast dedication to comprehending. 🤝🌍💚 #ClimateChange #EnvironmentalPollution #EnvironmentalScience #Complexity #GlobalAction

Any strategy to reach our climate goals must include nature. That much is black and white. And we know the world needs to increase financing for nature-based climate solutions. But determining which solutions to put money behind has been a grey area. Researchers from several institutions including EDF studied dozens of nature-based climate solutions. Essentially, they were trying to answer this question: “If we finance this solution via carbon crediting, can we be confident our investment can lead to real climate benefits that can be accurately measured?” And for preserving and restoring tropical and temperate forests, the answer is yes, assuming we follow through with good implementation. But for some other nature-based climate solutions (like some agricultural, grassland and ocean-based pathways) the answer is...complicated, even though these other solutions are important for other reasons, like biodiversity consideration. Fortunately, most financing from carbon crediting is already going to the nature-based solutions with the highest level of scientific certainty. But money is still being spent on carbon credits for solutions where the science needs to be more robust. Here's how science can help us make sure we're investing in solutions that will have an impact: https://lnkd.in/expXUtTf

The Earth’s climate is undergoing rapid and unprecedented changes, primarily due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from various human activities. This phenomenon disrupts established weather patterns, exacerbates the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, and causes significant alterations in ecosystems, affecting communities on a global scale. For indigenous peoples, who have been the caretakers of their lands for countless generations, the repercussions are even more profound. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3pWpTqS Author: Alamin Lawal #Climate_Change #Sustainability

Green journalists acknowledge the prevalent use of terms like "climate doom" and "environmental existential dread" but emphasize the importance of avoiding hopelessness. While reporting truthfully on climate and nature crises is essential, it is equally crucial to convey a sense of hope to prevent apathy. How can public policy initiatives support media outlets in promoting a balanced narrative on climate issues, ensuring accurate reporting while fostering a hopeful outlook to motivate meaningful public engagement and action? https://lnkd.in/dNCYaTzZ

🌍 Participating in Harvard Climate Action Week 2024 hosted by The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University From toasting sustainability solutions to partnering for a healthier supply chain, the lineup of events has been insightful, showcasing discussions and actionable strategies for driving climate action. 🌱 It's heartening to see sessions like "Indigenous Leadership in Raising Global Climate Ambition" and "Supporting Community-Led Climate Adaptation," highlighting the importance of inclusive and community-centered approaches in tackling climate change. 🔬 We also explored topics such as "Moving from Innovation to Deployment" and "Innovative Climate Technologies" which provided a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in scaling climate infrastructure and leveraging technology for climate solutions. You can check our work at Climate Technology Solutions And according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) 2021, the widespread adoption of innovative climate technologies, such as renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, could lead to a reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to current levels. (Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector) https://lnkd.in/grykNfFB 🌟 The session on "Leading Equitable Change for Climate Action" underscores the crucial role of equity and justice in shaping climate policies and initiatives, ensuring that no community is left behind in the transition to a sustainable future. Resonating very well with our works at CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HUB 🌿 And of course the critical role of cities in advancing climate action, which was highlighted in the session "How Cities Are Leveraging Food Systems to Advance Climate Action." By rethinking urban food systems, cities can play a significant role in mitigating climate change and promoting resilience. Research published in the journal Nature Food indicates that urban food systems contribute to approximately 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to food production, transportation, and waste . https://lnkd.in/gyAdm-iy 💡 As we come together to rethink global climate ambitions, it's clear that collaboration, innovation, and equitable leadership are key to addressing the climate crisis. Let's leverage our collective expertise and commitment to drive positive change for our planet and future generations. #HarvardClimateActionWeek #ClimateAction #Sustainability 🌎🌱

It's been a headline news week for climate change - yet again. We've broken the 1.5C barrier yet planned climate action investment is being scaled back. It's looking more and more like we're facing a marathon and not a sprint. And that's why community resilience and social learning are so important. In my new paper just out, we explored citizen-led emissions reduction from the ClairCity research project, with Sophie Laggan, Margarida Sardo, Corra Boushel, Eva Csobod and Enda Hayes with Research, Business and Innovation at UWE Bristol. Different engagement tactics worked for different audiences, but no matter the activity, the more citizens enjoyed it, the more their understanding increased. And the more their understanding increased, the more they intended to take climate action. While climate change is a serious issue, engagement doesn't need to be. We need to be thinking more about how to engage communities with enjoyable and inclusive activities, and how to encourage social learning between groups. Building community resilience will not only accelerate emission reduction, it will create communities ready to support each other through our changing times. Highlights ·       Diverse communities need representation in climate/air pollution policymaking ·       One size does not fit all: different activities attracted different demographics ·       Activity enjoyment was significantly positively correlated to understanding ·       Understanding was significantly positively correlated to behaviour change intent ·       Policymakers should plan enjoyable activities to enable social learning between groups Read more for free here through the open access journal Environmental Science and Policy: https://lnkd.in/egi5YCRq