Insights
Nature for Justice Blog
Stories. Plans & Initiatives. Results.
Vision & Approach
The Brown Family Farm: Building Resilience & Legacy
(Part 1 of 2)
In June, the US Farmer Inclusion Team welcomed Patrick Brown as our new Director of Farmer Inclusion. As a fourth-generation farmer, farm manager of his
Climate Justice Additionality Defined
The Concept of additionality: The concept of climate justice additionality originates from the fields of climate finance and climate change mitigation. This notion emphasizes that
Our Focus: Communities and Project Integrity
Nature For Justice has engaged with hundreds of nonprofits, civil society groups, businesses, and communities of faith who work at the local level, most of
Best Practices In Creating and Leading Nature-based Solutions Projects
Admittedly, upfront, this is our take on what constitutes best practices when it comes to creating and leading Nature-based Solution (NbS) projects with local partners.
US Farmer Inclusion Meeting Updates and Take-Aways
This past April, Nature For Justice (N4J) met with 10 organizations and eight farm owners to discuss our U.S. Farmer Inclusion Program and receive input
Seagrass, A Climate Fighting Super Power
Often missed and unnoticed by many people are vast meadows of seagrasses growing in our oceans. Seagrasses are believed to have first appeared about 100
Regenerative Agriculture & Resilient Food Systems: 7 Important Examples
At Nature For Justice (N4J), we’re working with global and local partners to lay the foundation for climate justice. Regenerative agriculture and resilient food systems
Building a Strong Foundation for Climate Justice: Learnings and Insights
At Nature For Justice (N4J), we’re working with global and local partners to lay the foundation for climate justice. Our work is evolving quickly: Across
Celebrating Earth Day 2023
Preserving Our Planet: Blue Carbon, Biodiversity, and Biodiversity Credits The Role of Blue Carbon Blue carbon refers to the carbon captured and stored by
What Makes Nature for Justice Unique
Nature for Justice was created in 2020 to address what we perceived to be the asymmetry in power between on-the-ground groups most affected by climate change
Leveraging Biodiversity Credits: An Important Catalyst for Sustainable Forestry Practices
On International Day of Forests, we celebrate the indispensable role forests play in nurturing life on Earth. These natural wonders provide countless species with habitat,
5 Barriers to Entry in Nature-based Carbon Projects
Nature for Justice’s (N4J) experience with the request for nature-based carbon project proposals in Africa, which we are also contemplating in Canada with First Nations,
Spotlighting 5 Black Farmers’ Markets in North Carolina
“When I’m touching the soil, it just gives me freedom,” Samantha Foxx, owner of Mother’s Finest Family Urban Farms in North Carolina. How We Got
Nature-based Solutions: A Quick Explainer.
First coined as a term by the IUCN 20 years ago, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are gaining steam across the globe. Major international organizations, large donors,
Wetlands. Protecting Them is a Nature-based Solution.
85% of the world’s wetlands have been lost due to human interference, much of it through large-scale modern agriculture. Known as “nature’s kidneys,” wetlands slow
Evaluating Potential Nature-based Solution Projects: Systematically and Fairly
Last year, we founded an Africa Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Program and secured the commitment of major investors for the development and implementation of socially inclusive,
Looking Back to See Forward: 2022 Accomplishments and Opportunities Ahead
2022 – A Year in Review This is a somewhat unusual end-of-year message as I want to talk as much about process as achievements for
$51 per ton? Nope. Try $185 for the Social Cost of Carbon.
The Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) is the cost of the damages incurred by the emission of one additional metric ton (mt) of CO2. For
Interview with Ganesan ‘Bala’ Balachander, a Nature For Justice Senior Advisor
Old Wine in New Bottles. Nature-based Solutions in the Indian Farming Landscape. Ganesan ‘Bala’ Balachande started his career in physics but his real interest was
Interview with Jasmine Gibson, Our Regional Hub Outreach Coordinator
Jasmine Gibson Working closely with Clarenda Stanley on our BIPOC Farmers Project and Farmer Inclusion is our new Regional Hub Outreach Coordinator Jasmin Gibson who
Interview with Clarenda Stanley, N4J’s MD of Farmer Inclusion (Part 2)
Clarenda Stanley is an award-winning fundraiser, communications professional, and CEO/Founder of Green Heffa Farms, the nation’s first Certified B Corp Black-owned farm. Clarenda hosted the
Interview with Clarenda Stanley, N4J’s MD of Farmer Inclusion (Part 1)
We recently welcomed Clarenda Stanley as the new Managing Director of Farmer Inclusion for Nature for Justice. Clarenda is a farmer herself who grows herbs
Recognizing Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous peoples proven to sustain biodiversity and address climate change: Now it’s time to recognize and support this leadership People around the world increasingly see
John Oliver: Giggles and a Big Fail
John Oliver’s recent broadside against carbon offsets last month got lots of laughs. But Oliver and his team cherry-picked the data for the giggles. It
Nature-based Solutions? They’re powerful.
Nature-based solutions are gaining traction around the world as a means of mitigating the threats of climate change. While there are various definitions of Nature-based
What is Blue Carbon?
And why it’s imperative to protect this precious resource Blue carbon is the name for carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems. Carbon sequestration and
Learn Fast: Measure. Compare. Modify.
Post COP26 View Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are emerging as a powerful, integrated approach for mitigating and adapting to climate change while protecting biodiversity and promoting
Let’s Invest in What’s Working!
We at Nature For Justice aim to be the organization that local communities and partners look to for support as they invest in projects to
Taking Partnerships to the Next Level,
the N4J Way
The Four-Legged Stool Theory is in essence the institutional capacity approach for program scaling: creating enduring impact versus implementing a ‘project’. There is frequent reference
Our Program for BIPOC Farmers: 1st Update
In spring 2021, Nature For Justice (N4J) launched its Inclusive Climate Resource Network (ICRNet) program for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) farmers in
Interview with Micheal O’Brien-Onyeka: Capacity Building – Thoughts from a Builder
We are very pleased to have Michael O’Brien-Onyeka join our team at Nature For Justice. Micheal comes with an impressive set of skills and significant
Biodiversity Loss Threatens Social Justice
WWF’s 2020 Living Planet Report reported that: “The world has seen an average 68% drop in mammal, bird, fish, reptile, and amphibian populations since 1970.
A Culture of Earth Centeredness, Mother Earth Day, April 22, 2022
Nature For Justice’s mission (N4J) is to use nature to address the social justice needs of vulnerable populations confronting the climate crisis around the world.
ILI Leader Steven Nitah Joins Nature For Justice
Steven Nitah For nearly a decade, Steven Nitah has been an active member of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI), helping to advise Indigenous Nations and
A Visit to Our South Africa Project
Last week I was in South Africa with our corporate partner and the local team as our nature-based project in the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve
Irrecoverable Carbon: Let’s Protect The Boreal
Nature For Justice Indigenous Advisor Steve Nitah and I have been talking a lot about how to protect the Boreal forests of Canada given the
Missed Opportunity: Greenpeace on ENI in Zambia
Greenpeace Report In May 2021, Greenpeace Italy issued a report entitled “The Luangwa Community Forests Project (LCFP) in Zambia, A review of the biggest REDD+
Carbon Offset Investments? De-Risk Them.
Commitments to carbon neutrality are leading many companies to invest in carbon offset projects. How do you manage the risk associated with these long-term, high
Investing in Nature to Reduce Human Migration
Investing $1 in nature-based solutions now will save at least $4 in future costs of climate-related migration. Where on earth did I get that figure?
Interview with Flynn Bucy, Ph.D: Nature For Justice’s Advisory Network Leader
Flynn Bucy, Ph.D. is a well-known senior specialist in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainable Development and Futures Studies. He has been a senior
Carbon Offsetting 101
Currently, next to “Nature Based Solutions” (NBS), “carbon offsetting” is one of the big buzzwords in the environmental community – and there are as many
Accelerating Nature Based Solutions (NBS)
NBS carbon projects? Too few places, too long in set up, and unfair to local communities. Nature based solutions (NBS) can make a considerable contribution
N4J: One Year In – Progress!
September 15, 2021 is the one-year anniversary for the creation of Nature For Justice (N4J). On our first anniversary let me begin by thanking those
Interview with Zakiya H. Leggett, Ph.D: Nature Based Solutions – Centered on Soil Science
Dr. Zakiya Leggett is an assistant professor at North Carolina State University in the College of Natural Resources. She currently teaches Introduction to Environmental Science
Interview with Missy Rosen: Nurturing Diversity, Inclusivity and Equity
Melissa (Missy) Rosen Bio: Chief People Advisor for Nature For Justice. Results driven HR professional in leading tactical and strategic consulting to create organizational development
Women and Climate On the Horn Of Africa
Barlin Hassan Ali Interviewed by Lisa Cloete I understand you have a long working relationship with Hank, can you tell me a short story about
Kevin Bryan interview: Update on N4J in the USA
Trust Networks as Opportunities to Learn and Grow. Kevin Bryan Bio: Co-Founder and Managing Director – Equity and Partnerships for Nature For Justice. Kevin has
N4J Interview Series Part 1: Steven Nitah
Steven Nitah is a former of Chief of the Łutsël K’e Dene First Nation and CEO of the Denesoline Corporation before transitioning to the position
How to Scale to Meet our Climate Targets and Achieve Social Justice
I was talking to my former colleague and long-time friend Tom Dillon of the Pew Charitable Trusts and the conversation came around to the topic
Crowdfunding: Setting Expectations
Crowdfunding has come a long way since 2014, when the novelty of the idea alone helped a man in Columbus raise $55,492 to make a
Where We Work: Priority Countries & NGO Partners
Nature For Justice’s (N4J) objective is to accelerate the development of a global network of national organizations that are committed to using nature to help
Getting Ahead of the Curve — Global Trends 2040
During March 2021, The National Intelligence Council issued its quadrennial report on global trends. This year’s issue is Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World.
Theory of Change: Creating Access
Over the past several weeks, we at Nature For Justice have begun to build our nascent efforts to support existing African American farmer networks in
10 Rules For Durable Solutions
Nature For Justice is focused on vulnerable populations impacted by the climate crisis and we are guided by science. A recent excellent publication by Sacco,
On Equity and Justice Within the Environmental Community, Part II
In Part I of this discussion, I shared thoughts on equity and justice rooted in access to power, resources, and opportunity. This grounding enables the
Deepening Equity and Justice Within the Environmental Community, Part I
As society reckons with the legacy of centuries of racism, the environmental community is grappling with its place in this system. A number of organizations
Thrive Through Reinvention
How does a chemical engineer, all set to work on nuclear waste disposal for Westinghouse, end up starting a non-profit with an Australian living in
Flipping The Switch On Equity And Justice In Conservation And Development
Participation, community engagement, equitable development, sustainability – all terms familiar to conservation and development practitioners, public philanthropic contributors, and the donor community. Since virtually all
Building a Big Tent – Diversity Matters
In the last story on my venture in Papua New Guinea I spoke of the known and unknown risks associated with starting something new. A
Embrace Risk
In my last blog, I described going to Somalia during the Ogaden refugee crisis and how my initial 3-month commitment turned into a 4-year, life-defining
Partner Voices
Looking to the Past to Inspire the Future of Cocoa Agroforestry in Ghana
There are few places on earth where I feel more relaxed, refreshed and joyful than when walking through cocoa farms in Ghana. While many people
Interview with Rita Botha, Project Manager at the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR)
Rita Botha is the project manager at the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) for the Goukou Resilient Rivers Projects and the Gouritz Ecological Corridor Project.
Achieving Landscape-scale Ecological Restoration
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African proverb We need to go a long way,
NatureBank: New N4J Partner
Interview with Cornelia Rindt Lisa Cloete (LC): 1. Thank you for joining us today Cornelia. Can you tell us a bit more about the work
Interview with Kristine Zeigler: Climate Leadership — Gender Balance Matters
To cap our month of featuring women leaders, we interviewed Kristine Zeigler, CEO of the new organization Planet Women. This is the second article featuring
Interview with April Jones: Women Led Engagement with BIPOC Farmers
Farming for the Future: April Jones Faced with a changing climate, the need has never been greater to adopt farming practices that care for the
Commercializing Indigenous Plants in a Climate Impacted World
My passion is the sustainable commercialisation of Southern African indigenous plant resources to generate positive social, economic and environmental benefits. When the Southern African Natural
Cloud Forest Organics — Restorative Approach to Agribusiness: Part II
This project is about white spectacled bears. And pure high Amazon water. And about Porotón: a protein rich leguminous tree that is native to Andes
Radically Changing Business in Vulnerable Andean Cloud Forests: Part I
“We strongly believe that the protection of forests, the lives of local families, and their connection to the outside world are not separate but are
Nature For Justice and Cultivo:
A Common Vision
We aspire to be a leader in using nature-based solutions to achieve social justice for communities affected by the climate crisis. The Nature For Justice
Sustainable Solutions Come From Those On The Ground
“At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest. Now I realize
Looking to the Past to Inspire the Future of Cocoa Agroforestry
There are few places on earth where I feel more relaxed, refreshed and joyful than when walking through cocoa farms in Ghana. While many people
Featured Voices
Indigenous-led conservation. A way forward.
“We have been on our land for over 700 generations and have learned important lessons around sustainability and natural resource management.” Hereditary Heiltsuk Chief Frank
What is Regenerative Farming? A South African Example.
Jurgen Johannes Streichter is a grain farmer in South Africa’s southern Cape and which lies within the Gouritz Biosphere Region where we are currently engaged
Senegal’s Mighty Mangroves – Livelihoods and Carbon
Mangroves: Buffer, Economic Engine, and Carbon Store In Senegal, mangroves dominate the coastal regions and for good reason. The mighty Senegalise mangrove provides one of
Climate Change, India, and the Price of Onions.
In India, onions are everything.” “In India, onions are everything,” my roommate Apurva told me as we waited outside our local vegetable stand. That summer,
It’s Time to Put Women in Charge of Saving This Planet
Today, we face four catastrophes at once: 1) the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) climate change, 3) institutional racism, and 4) political polarization and attacks on democracy.
Origin Stories
Destroying Nature Undermines Equity and Justice
My Nature For Justice colleague, Kevin Bryan, posted a blog and video last week on equity and justice and it reminded me of my ‘aha’
Help People Where They Are
Early in my career I had the good fortune to be offered a life-defining experience by working in the refugee camps in Somalia. Ali Matan
