Joining hands with nature to tackle the climate crisis
Our planet is in peril. Animals can help save it.
We are living in a time of climate crisis. Human-caused climate change is one of the biggest threats our planet faces today. With rising temperatures jeopardising the survival of up to one million species of wildlife, it’s easy to view animals as purely victims of the climate crisis. But what if we also viewed them as our allies in addressing it?
Animals are climate heroes
To avert the most catastrophic impacts of climate change for humans and animals alike, the world needs to not just rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance the capture of carbon from the atmosphere. Nature is critical for this and can account for over a third of the carbon capture needed to mitigate the worst effects of climate change To reach that goal, it is critical that we recognise the immense role that wild animals play in enabling natural ecosystems to absorb and store more carbon. By safeguarding wildlife on land and in our ocean, we not only address biodiversity loss but also tackle climate change head on.
Nature’s solutions to climate change
Our focus on animal conservation as a key solution to the climate crisis is part of a growing global effort to put nature-based solutions into practice for the health of the planet. Nature-based solutions involve putting measures in place that protect and conserve nature, wildlife, and key ecosystems, all of which are important for our climate. Nature-based solutions include wildlife conservation, marine conservation, ecosystem reservation, blue carbon projects, and more.
IFAW’s climate goals
1. Mitigate
climate change
2. Adapt
to climate change
3. Address
loss and damage due to climate change
Every problem has a solution, every solution needs support.
The problems we face are urgent, complicated, and resistant to change. Real solutions demand creativity, hard work, and involvement from people like you.