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, large-scale and long- term projects that are consistent with our strategy to identify and work with local groups and their existing trust networks. Our objective is to develop at least […]
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 the year. Nature For Justice(N4J) is a two-year-old organization with big ambitions (i.e. ultimately improving the lives of 100 million people), an expanding set of collaborators (e.g.Ostrom Climate), and confidence that […]
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 storage in mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass meadows is an essential coastal ‘blue carbon’ ecosystem service for climate change mitigation. The marine environment – the oceans and their diverse coastal […]
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 the well-being of people, particularly those living in vulnerable communities. There is growing evidence that NbS have the potential to capture over one-third of the carbon needed to keep the […]
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 ensure that social justice prevails through restoring and improving their lands. We also seek to increase the capacities of local, national, and international partnerships on a global scale. One of […]
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 to the Three-Legged Stool of sustainable development, or the “Triple Bottom Line” of economic, social and environmental impacts. However this leaves out the fourth key element – organizational capacity – […]
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 experience. Along with having been the Senior Vice President – Africa Field Division at Conservation International, Michael has held senior positions at Greenpeace Africa, Oxfam, the National Democratic Institute, the […]
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. . . .” Biodiversity is the variety of life in all its forms. It is made up of all living species, their genetic variation, and the interaction of these living […]
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. This Earth Day we wanted to highlight, that for our mission to succeed, that we firmly believe and engage — as an organization and as individuals — in a culture […]
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 advance Indigenous-led conservation at the national level. Now, he is embarking on an exciting new role with Nature For Justice. The entire ILI team is grateful for Steven’s leadership over […]
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 enormous challenge posed by climate change. When tackling such vast problems, knowing where to start is half the battle. Thanks to Allie Goldstein and others for their work published in […]
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? The recently released National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) Report entitled : “Climate Change and International Responses Increasing Challenges to US National Security Through 2040” should be a MUST READ for anyone […]