Our planet is experiencing a profound and unprecedented transformation. Rapid global warming is ravaging ecosystems, raising sea levels, and changing weather patterns, exposing millions of people to new hazards and shifting the global balance of power. The intensity and impact of fires, droughts, storms and heat waves has increased. Climate scientists and world leaders continue to grapple with the effects and reckon with the possible consequences.
By Matt Murray
Yet there are people and organizations around the world confronting these challenges and offering hope for the future. The Washington Post’s Climate Solutions site aims to spotlight their work, while preparing readers to understand how they can make a difference as individuals and within their communities.
Launched in 2019 with the support of Rolex, Climate Solutions shares the stories of innovators and innovations, and the ideas and technologies that are driving the discussion. Our Climate Visionaries series profiled a biologist who uses plants to save the planet and a three-star general pushing militaries to go green. Our Uncharted Territory project explored the potential of kelp to help buffer Alaskan communities from dwindling sources of salmon and other fish, and it showed how scientists are using DNA to track an elusive shark. Our Green Spaces series examined, among other things, the ancient lessons offered by architecture in Egypt and Turkey about how to build in a hot world.
And this year, as part of our Climate Leap series, we’ve explored the potential of green hydrogen and ambitious efforts to redesign the cow’s gut to reduce methane emissions.
In the past, we’ve taken readers along on Pakistan’s mission to plant 10 billion trees and into Virginia’s efforts to transform abandoned coal mines into solar farms. We’ve shadowed farmers developing environmentally friendly grains, sharing a recipe for sustainable sourdough along the way. As climate scientists have released reports forecasting a perilous path for the planet, we’ve explained how the world can stem climate change and why it’s important to not give into climate despair.
As we face the effects of climate change in our lives, Climate Solutions has also provided practical guidance on steps we can take to prepare ourselves and protect our planet. Should you ditch your traditional lawn? Is it time to purchase an electric vehicle? Is your home prepared for wildfires?
The Washington Post is committed to covering and understanding our changing climate and its impact on us through rigorous reporting. Climate Solutions can offer useful, actionable insights amid the daunting environmental challenges. We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please send them to climate@washpost.com.
Matt Murray is executive editor of The Washington Post.
