Tag: environment

creativity

Remembering Robert Redford, an expert storyteller and nature ally

Christa Avampato
Robert Redford. From https://www.livingwithwolves.org/about/robert-redford/

I was saddened to hear about the passing of Robert Redford this morning. When I was an undergrad at the University of Pennsylvania, he came to campus to explore a film and storytelling partnership between the university, the West Philadelphia community, and his Sundance Institute. I remember seeing him from a distance and immediately noticing that there was a light about him, a kind of magical aura that emanated from his smile and ease of being. 

In addition to championing filmmaking and storytelling, he was also incredibly passionate about the environment. He was a lifelong advocate for nature, beginning his activism in the 1970s by using his celebrity to promote causes like protecting air and water, and later founding the Redford Center to use storytelling to expand environmentalism. He spoke at the United Nations about climate change, was recognized by TIME magazine as a “Hero of the Environment” in 2007, and served for decades on the board of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The NRDC’s Southern California headquarters in Santa Monica is named The Robert Redford Building to honor his long-standing support for the organization as a board member and environmental activist.

While we remember his outstanding career as an actor, director, writer, and producer, I’ll continue to hold him up as an example of someone who knew early on that storytelling was the key to protecting our planet and used his talents to further that mission. May we all carry forward his remarkable and beautiful legacy. 

creativity

A Call to Action: Building Resilience in the Face of Flooding

Christa Avampato
The Mississippi River regularly floods in Davenport, Iowa. Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The recent, heartbreaking floods in Texas have served as a stark reminder of nature’s raw power and the ravaging impact it can have on our communities. Along the Guadalupe River, the water rose 26 feet in less than an hour. I’m devastated seeing all of those who are affected by the loss of life, homes, and livelihoods.

Texas, particularly regions like “flash flood alley,” is inherently susceptible to rapid and severe flooding due to its unique topography and intense rainfall events. When large volumes of rain fall quickly on dry, compacted soil, the water has nowhere to go but to rush across the surface, swelling rivers and overwhelming infrastructure.

While we cannot control the weather, we can learn from these events and take proactive steps to mitigate future flooding risks, working with nature, not against it. So, what can we do, as individuals and communities, to better coexist with the forces of nature and reduce the impact of these catastrophic events?

Embracing Nature-Based Solutions

Many effective flood mitigation strategies involve working in harmony with our natural environment. These “green infrastructure” approaches often offer multiple benefits beyond just flood control:

  • Protecting and Restoring Wetlands and Floodplains: These natural sponges are crucial for absorbing excess water, slowing its flow, and filtering pollutants. Preserving and restoring these vital ecosystems can significantly reduce downstream flooding.
  • Creating Rain Gardens and Bioswales: In urban and suburban areas, these beautifully designed landscape features use plants and specially engineered soils to capture and slowly release stormwater runoff, preventing it from overwhelming drainage systems.
  • Promoting Permeable Surfaces: Swapping out concrete and asphalt for permeable pavers or gravel allows rainwater to infiltrate the ground naturally, reducing surface runoff and recharging groundwater supplies.
  • Planting Trees and Vegetation: Trees and other plants help absorb rainfall, reduce soil erosion, and stabilize banks along rivers and streams. Their root systems create pathways for water to penetrate the soil, further reducing runoff.
  • Implementing Riparian Buffers: Establishing vegetated zones along waterways helps to slow floodwaters, trap sediment, and improve water quality, creating healthier aquatic ecosystems.

Community-Wide Efforts and Individual Actions

Beyond nature-based solutions, broader efforts and individual preparedness are essential:

  • Improved Flood Warning Systems: Timely and effective communication is paramount. Communities need robust warning systems that reach everyone in flood-prone areas, especially during the critical overnight hours.
  • Responsible Land Use Planning: Developing in harmony with natural floodplains, rather than building in high-risk areas, is crucial. This includes updating zoning laws and building codes to promote resilient construction.
  • Investing in Infrastructure: While nature offers powerful solutions, traditional “gray infrastructure” like detention basins, levees, and improved drainage systems also play a vital role, especially in existing developed areas.
  • Individual Preparedness: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” remains a critical message. Knowing your flood risk, having an emergency plan, securing important documents, and considering flood insurance are vital steps for everyone.

The recent events in Texas are a solemn reminder that we must prioritize flood resilience. By understanding the natural processes that lead to flooding and implementing strategies that work with, rather than against, nature, we can build stronger, safer communities for generations to come.

Let’s all commit to being better stewards of our environment and more prepared neighbors in the face of nature’s challenges. Additionally, we must hold every single one of our elected officials responsible for doing the same by voting and calling their offices regularly to voice our concerns.

creativity

Fighting hunger in NYC with City Harvest

Christa Avampato
Me outside the Javits Center on Tuesday to volunteer with City Harvest

I’m smiling because this week I completed my first volunteer shift with City Harvest. With a group of 200 volunteers and staff, we rescued over 75,500 pounds of food after the close of the Fancy Food Show on Tuesday evening at the Javits Center. This food will be distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens, and community organizations all over the city to people who need our support. This work is deeply personal to me. I grew up with food insecurity (meaning we worried about where our next meal would come from) and I was a free lunch kid. 

The hunger issue in NYC is dire. 50% of working-age households in NYC are struggling to make ends meet. 1.4 million New Yorkers are food insecure. That’s nearly 1:6 New Yorkers, including 1:4 children. 

This work is also personal to me because of my passion to protect our natural world. On Tuesday, we also saved all of this food and packaging from ending up in the trash. 30% — 40% of the food in the U.S. (108 billion pounds!) is wasted every year, to say nothing of all the resources it took to create that food and packaging. This costs Americans $473 billion every year. Nearly 1/4 of all landfill waste in the U.S. is food, and it is one of the largest producers of methane gas, which is causing climate change, weather-related disasters, and hunger.

Given the scale of this challenge, I’m excited about doing more work with City Harvest and helping more New Yorkers. I hope you’ll join me — there are so many ways to be a volunteer! Visit https://www.cityharvest.org/volunteer/ to learn more.

Below are some pictures from the Tuesday event! All photos by City Harvest.

creativity

Embracing stakeholder theory in Finland this summer

Christa Avampato
Photo from https://events.tuni.fi/stakeholdertheory/sustainability/

Finland, I can’t wait to meet you! I was accepted into the 2025 Summer Seminar in Stakeholder Theory at Tampere University with University of Virginia Darden School of Business (my alma mater), Darden-The Institute for Business in Society (IBIS), and RESPMAN Research Group. I’ll join an incredible global group of faculty, researchers, and PhD students to learn and share how to best integrate stakeholder theory into my work in sustainability and climate change mitigation. As part of the program, I’m revising and refining the work I started in my University of Cambridge / Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) dissertation on the role of storytelling to engage family offices in climate investments. I’ve spent the last 2 months editing (cutting it in half!) and am excited to get feedback on it. In addition to that paper, I’ll also work on 3 more research projects:

  • The Stories We Eat: Narratives to Shape Stakeholder Behavior and Policy for Sustainable Food Futures
  • Narrative Power: Using Digital Media to Convey the Voice of Future Generations and Nature in Sustainability Storytelling
  • From Self-Interest to Shared Benefit: How to Adapt Finland’s Exemplar of Public Trust Amidst Power Asymmetries in U.S. Businesses

I’m so grateful for this opportunity to learn and engage with these incredible people in one of the most sustainable communities in the world. I’m most looking forward to spending time with my professor, mentor, and dear friend R. Edward Freeman, who is one of my heroes and the founder of the seminar. As the originator of stakeholder theory that transformed business ethics, his work has fundamentally changed how businesses and business leaders around the world operate. He’s the reason I went to Darden and he changed how I see the world and my role in it. I’m honored to have had his support and encouragement for all these years.

It’s going to be an incredible summer of learning. I’m excited to experience all of it and to see where it leads! Nähdään pian, Finland!

creativity

Feeling the Heat? How Cities Worldwide Are Cooling Down!

Christa Avampato
A worker who is part of the Cool LA initiative applying a pavement cooling coating. https://streetsla.lacity.org/marquerite-street-cool-pavement

Ever stepped out of an air-conditioned building into a city street and felt like you’d walked into an oven? That’s exactly how I felt last week in New York City. This is known as the urban heat island (UHI) effect. It makes cities significantly warmer than their surrounding rural landscapes, particularly at night. Why does this happen, and what are cities doing about it?

The Science Behind the Sizzle:

The UHI effect is largely a byproduct of how we build our cities. Here’s a quick breakdown of the culprits:

  • Dark Surfaces & Materials: Concrete, asphalt, and dark rooftops absorb and store vast amounts of solar radiation during the day. Unlike natural landscapes (think forests or water bodies) that reflect more sunlight and release moisture, these urban materials slowly re-emit that stored heat into the surrounding air, keeping temperatures elevated long after sunset.
  • Lack of Vegetation: Trees and plants provide natural cooling through shade and a process called evapotranspiration (where they release water vapor, like sweating). Cities, with their limited green spaces, miss out on these vital cooling benefits. The apartment building where I live straddles a city block. On one side, it’s a tree-lined street that’s almost completely shaded. On the other side of the building, there aren’t any trees at all. The temperature difference between the two entrances is often 10 degrees or more.
  • Urban Geometry: Tall buildings and narrow streets can create “urban canyons” that trap heat and block wind flow, preventing cooler air from circulating and dissipating trapped warmth.
  • Waste Heat: All the human activity in a city – cars, factories, air conditioning units – generates a significant amount of waste heat, further contributing to the overall temperature rise.

The consequences of the UHI effect are serious: increased energy consumption (more AC means more power plants working overtime), elevated air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and significant health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, including heat-related illnesses and even fatalities. In the United States, heat is indeed the deadliest weather-related hazard, claiming more lives annually than other extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, or tornadoes

Cities Taking Innovative Action:

The good news is that cities around the world are recognizing this challenge and implementing clever, innovative solutions to cool down from cool pavement surfaces to using plants as part of walls, roofs, corridors, and increased green spaces. Here are a few inspiring examples:

  • Singapore: The “Garden City” Goes Further Singapore is a leader in green infrastructure. Beyond its lush parks, the city-state is integrating vegetation into buildings with impressive “green walls” and “sky gardens.” They’re also exploring district-level cooling systems, which are more energy-efficient than individual air conditioning units, and prioritizing science-based policies to reduce urban heat risks. Their commitment to planting millions of trees and creating numerous parks is paying off in tangible temperature reductions.
  • Los Angeles, USA: Paving the Way with Cool Pavements Known for its expansive roadways, Los Angeles has been actively experimenting with “cool pavements.” These lighter-colored surfaces reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than traditional asphalt, significantly reducing surface temperatures. The city has already coated over a million square feet of pavement with these innovative materials. It is also experimenting with applying this coating to rooftops as well.
  • Rotterdam, Netherlands: Embracing Green Rooftops Rotterdam is literally building a cooler future from the top down. The city is actively promoting and implementing green rooftops on a massive scale, aiming to green over 900,000 square meters of rooftops. These vegetated roofs not only reduce ambient temperatures by acting as insulation and through evapotranspiration but also help with stormwater management.
  • Medellín, Colombia: Cultivating Green Corridors Medellín has transformed its urban landscape by creating a network of 30 “green corridors.” These shaded routes, lined with thousands of native trees, palms, and other plants, offer cooler pathways for people to travel and gather, directly combating heatwaves and improving air quality.
  • Paris, France: Creating “Cool Islands” Paris is tackling its urban heat with a strategic approach to “cool island” spaces. The city has identified and is creating 800 such spaces, including parks, water fountains, and public buildings like swimming pools and museums, which are significantly cooler than surrounding streets. They also have ambitious plans to plant 170,000 trees by 2026.
  • Seville, Spain: A “Policy of Shade” In a city accustomed to scorching summers, Seville has adopted a “policy of shade.” This includes installing more awnings, planting 5,000 trees annually, switching to heat-reflective construction materials, and installing more public fountains – all aimed at providing respite from the intense heat.

These examples demonstrate that while the urban heat island effect is a significant challenge, it’s not insurmountable. By embracing a combination of green infrastructure, cool materials, and thoughtful urban design, cities worldwide are proving that a cooler, more livable urban future is within reach.

What can you do?

Even as individuals, we can contribute to mitigating the UHI effect. Consider:

  • Support local initiatives for tree planting and green spaces.
  • Call your reps and offer these examples as something your city could try.
  • Choose lighter-colored materials for your own property if applicable.
  • Advocate for sustainable urban planning in your community.

Let’s work together to make our cities cooler, healthier, and more sustainable for everyone!

creativity

Scoring Green Goals: Making the 2026 FIFA World Cup in NY/NJ a Model of Sustainability

Christa Avampato
Award-winning artist and NJ native Rich Tu designed the NY/NJ poster intended to “reflect the vibrancy and diversity that define this region.” Image from City of Jersey City Official Government Facebook Page.

The excitement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is already building, and as New York and New Jersey prepare to host a significant portion of this global spectacle including the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026, there’s a powerful opportunity to set a new standard for environmentally sustainable mega-events. Large-scale sporting events inherently have a substantial environmental footprint, from carbon emissions due to travel and energy consumption to vast amounts of waste generated. However, by embracing innovative and comprehensive green strategies, the NY/NJ World Cup can truly “score green goals” and leave a lasting positive legacy for our planet.

FIFA has already outlined a sustainability and human rights strategy for the 2026 World Cup, focusing on sustainable infrastructure, mitigating climate impact, reducing air pollution, and promoting water efficiency. Building on this, here’s how New York and New Jersey can lead the way:

1. Transportation Transformation: Moving the Masses Sustainably

  • Prioritize Public Transit: This is perhaps the single most impactful area. With New York and New Jersey’s extensive public transportation networks, a concerted effort to heavily promote and incentivize their use for fans, staff, and athletes is crucial. This includes clear signage, dedicated routes, extended service hours, and potentially even event-specific transit passes.
  • Active Travel Promotion: Encourage walking and cycling to venues where feasible. This means creating safe and accessible pedestrian pathways and ample, secure bike parking facilities.
  • Low-Emission Fleets: For official tournament vehicles, prioritize electric or hybrid vehicles. This extends to shuttle services for teams and VIPs.
  • Efficient Air Travel: Work with airlines to encourage direct flights and optimize routes to reduce emissions from air travel, which is a major contributor to the event’s carbon footprint.

2. Venue Virtuosity: Sustainable Infrastructure and Operations

  • Energy Efficiency and Renewables: Leverage existing stadiums like MetLife Stadium and Red Bull Arena. Implement aggressive energy efficiency measures, such as LED lighting and smart HVAC systems. Explore opportunities for on-site renewable energy generation (solar panels) and ensure all electricity used for the tournament is sourced from renewable energy providers.
  • Waste Not, Want Not: Implement a robust, multi-stream waste management system across all venues and fan zones. This means clearly labeled bins for recycling, composting, and landfill. The goal should be to minimize waste to landfill, focusing on a circular economy approach where materials are reused or recycled. Eliminate Single-Use Plastics: Ban single-use plastic bottles and foodware, encouraging reusable alternatives or offering compostable options. Food Waste Reduction: Partner with local food banks to donate unconsumed food and implement composting programs for food scraps.
  • Water Conservation: Implement water-saving fixtures and practices at venues and associated facilities. Explore rainwater harvesting for irrigation and other non-potable uses.
  • Sustainable Procurement: Prioritize sourcing materials, merchandise, and food from local, ethical, and environmentally responsible suppliers. This reduces transportation emissions and supports the local economy. Consider sustainable building certifications for any necessary temporary structures.

3. Fan and Community Engagement: A Collective Effort

  • Educate and Empower: Use the World Cup platform to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices among fans. This can be done through interactive displays, public service announcements, and engagement campaigns.
  • “Green Team” Volunteers: Recruit and train a dedicated “green team” of volunteers to assist with waste sorting, guide fans on sustainable transportation, and promote eco-friendly behaviors. If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer for the event in any capacity (green or otherwise!), you can sign up now at https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/volunteers
  • Local Partnerships: Collaborate with local environmental organizations, community groups, and businesses to implement sustainability initiatives and foster a lasting green legacy beyond the tournament.
  • Carbon Offsetting: While reduction is paramount, for unavoidable emissions, invest in high-quality, verifiable carbon offsetting projects that benefit local communities and ecosystems. However, transparency and accuracy in reporting are crucial to avoid “greenwashing.”

A Lasting Legacy

The 2026 FIFA World Cup offers more than just thrilling matches; it’s a chance for New York and New Jersey to demonstrate global leadership in sustainable event management. By meticulously planning and rigorously implementing these green initiatives, the tournament can inspire future large-scale events and leave a tangible, positive environmental legacy for generations to come. Let’s make the 2026 World Cup a true testament to the power of sport to drive positive change for our planet.

creativity

Ditch the Mower, Find the Wonder! 🌿 Your Guide to a Wild(ish) Lawn

Christa Avampato
Photo by Elisa on Unsplash

As spring flourishes in all its glory (hello, sunshine!), you might be eyeing that lawnmower with a familiar sigh. But what if I told you less work for you could mean more life in your lawn? This week, let’s talk about a trend that’s buzzing with benefits: letting your lawn go a little wild!

Forget the pressure of a perfectly manicured green carpet. In reality, that perfect lawn is nearly dead. A wilder lawn isn’t about letting things run completely rampant (unless that’s your jam!). It’s about consciously creating a more natural, vibrant, and wonderfully low-maintenance space that’s teeming with life. And that wild lawn has benefits for you, your bank account, wildlife, and this beautiful planet we all share.

Why Let Your Lawn Loosen Up? More Buzz, Less Fuss!

  • Become a Local Wildlife Hotspot: Think of it — your very own mini-nature reserve! Longer grasses and native “weeds” (I prefer “wildflowers-in-disguise” like clover and dandelions) become a five-star restaurant and hotel for bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and songbirds. You’ll be amazed at who shows up!
  • Kick Back & Relax (More!) and Save Money: Less mowing, less watering, less fertilizing… need we say more? A wilder lawn means more time for you to actually enjoy your outdoor space, not just work on it. And it also saves you money.
  • Better For You, Better for the Planet: Wild lawns are surprisingly powerful. Their diverse plant life helps soak up rainwater (reducing runoff), improves soil health, and even captures more carbon. You’ll also naturally reduce (or eliminate!) the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which is a win for everyone. And again, it saves you money.
  • A Feast for the Senses: Swap out the monotonous green for a shifting tapestry of textures, colors, and gentle movement. Watch wildflowers bloom and seed, listen to the hum of happy pollinators, and discover the intricate beauty of a natural ecosystem right outside your door.

Ready to Embrace Your Lawn’s Wild Side? It’s Easier (and Less Expensive) Than You Think!

Going wild doesn’t mean your yard needs to look messy. It’s about intentional choices that welcome and embrace nature. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Start Small, Mow Tall: You don’t have to go all-in at once. Designate a section of your lawn — maybe the back corner, or a strip along the fence — to let grow longer. Even raising your mower blades to 3–4 inches on the parts you do mow makes a big difference for tiny critters and plant health.
  2. “No Mow May” (and Beyond!): You might have heard of “No Mow May” — it’s a fantastic initiative by Bee City USA, a nonprofit that connects communities of people and pollinators in mutually-beneficial ways, to give emerging pollinators a head start! Why not extend the idea? Try mowing less frequently throughout the growing season. Every two weeks? Once a month for certain areas? Experiment and see what works for you.
  3. Love Your “Weeds”: Those dandelions? Early spring food for bees! Clover? It’s a nitrogen-fixer, meaning it naturally fertilizes your soil, and pollinators adore it. There’s a lot to love about these volunteer plants.
  4. Sprinkle Some Native Charm: Consider overseeding parts of your lawn with native low-growing wildflowers (spread wildflower seed over an existing lawn without disturbing the soil) or a “bee lawn” mix suitable for your geographic region. These plants are adapted to our climate and provide the best resources for local wildlife. A quick search for “bee lawn” mix or a visit to a local native plant nursery can provide great options.
  5. Create “Cues to Care”: Worried about what the neighbors might think? Keep the edges of your wilder areas neatly mown. This creates a look of “intentional wildness” and shows your landscape is cared for, not neglected. A small, friendly sign explaining your lawn is a “Pollinator Paradise” or “Wildlife Life” area can also work wonders and tell your story, raising awareness, advocating for wildlife, and encouraging your neighbors to give it a try, too.
  6. Patience is Your Superpower: Transforming a conventional lawn into a mini-meadow takes time. Don’t get discouraged. Enjoy observing the changes each week and season. You’re creating a living landscape, and every small step is a win.

Wild Fact: Allowing your grass to grow taller encourages deeper root systems, making your lawn more drought-tolerant. Less watering for you, less money spent, fewer resources used, and more resilience for your yard!

Ready to trade some mowing time for more butterflies and birdsong? Letting your lawn go a little wild is a simple, rewarding way to make a big difference for your local ecosystem and your own well-being.

Happy wilding!

creativity

The happy-sad of old grief

Christa Avampato
Phinny’s cherry blossoms in Central Park on May 2, 2025. Photo by me.

Unexpected laptop issues brought me into the office on Friday afternoon. Our wonderful IT department got my laptop fixed and then I popped down to see my friend whom I work for to have a conversation about a number of different topics. It lasted a couple of hours – much longer than I expected! – so it was the end of the work day by the time we finished up.

Though it was a hot and sticky afternoon, I was close to Central Park. The weather has been a bit of a mess on the weekends so my friend, Ashley, and I didn’t get to see Phinny’s cherry blossoms together this year. I decided to venture up to the park’s reservoir to see what was left of them and walk the path that Phinny and I walked so many times over our years together.

As I wound my way through the park from Central Park South to 86th Street, memories lived around every bend. Picnics. Concerts. Softball games. Walks and talks. Museums. Some tears and moments of sadness. That’s the stuff of every life – joy and difficulty.

I passed by my favorite tree in the park, a great hulking beauty perfect for sitting and watching the world go by. The Pinetum that Phinny loved to nose around in. The apartment on 81st street perched high above the American Museum of Natural History that Phineas and I always thought would be the dream apartment for us to live in. The archways that always feel like portals. Inspirations for my Emerson Page books. Central Park holds all of it.

Though the cherry blossoms around the reservoir were a bit past their prime, Phinny’s spirit and I didn’t care. It’s such a beautiful part of the park and we spent so many happy days there. Some blossoms were still blooming. The petals were pooled around the tree trunks – how Phinny loved to scoop up those petals with his prominent snoot, just like my friend, Ashley, showed in the watercolor of him she made for me! On the rare occasion that Phinny and I would sit under those trees – he and I are much more into exploring than sitting – he’d look at me with his big soulful eyes and happy smile. Then after a few moments, he’d try to wander over to someone else’s blanket to invite himself to their picnic and see what they had on offer. What a hound!

My eyes teared up and I laughed thinking of all his antics. I was happy-sad. So grateful for every single one of those memories and so sad that our time together in that way has passed.

That’s the thing about grief: if we’re lucky, it always stings at least a little. We never get over missing someone we love. Thankfully, the world conspires to keep them close to us, memories everywhere and signs in everything.

Photos below from my walk through Central Park.

creativity

Digging Deep: How Healthy Soil Can Help Heal Our Planet

Christa Avampato
Photo by Steven Weeks on Unsplash

We often look to the skies, the oceans, or technological innovations when discussing climate change solutions. But what if a powerful tool lies right beneath our feet? Healthy, living soil is an unsung hero in the fight against climate change and a cornerstone of a truly healthier planet.

To educate myself on soil health, I watched the documentaries Kiss the Ground and Common Ground on Amazon Prime Video. After watching them, I immediately visited their resources website filled with free ebooks and guides that can help all of us advocate for this climate solution and immediately take action in our everyday lives.

For too long, we’ve treated soil like dirt – an inert medium to hold plants up. In reality, healthy soil is a complex, dynamic ecosystem teeming with billions of microbes, fungi, insects, and worms. This underground world plays a crucial role in regulating our climate and supporting life on Earth.

How Does Soil Fight Climate Change? The Carbon Connection

The key lies in carbon sequestration. Here’s how it works:

  1. Photosynthesis: Plants pull carbon dioxide (CO2​), a major greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere.
  2. Carbon Transfer: Through photosynthesis, plants convert this carbon into sugars to fuel their growth. Some of this carbon builds their leaves and stems, but a significant amount is channeled down into their roots.
  3. Soil Storage: Plants release carbon compounds through their roots (exudates) to feed soil microbes. When plants and microbes die and decompose, this carbon becomes part of soil organic matter (SOM) – a complex, dark material rich in carbon.
  4. Locking it Away: In healthy, undisturbed soil with a thriving microbial community, this carbon can remain stable and locked away for decades, centuries, or even millennia, effectively removing it from the atmosphere where it would otherwise trap heat.

The Problem with Degraded Soil

Unfortunately, many modern agricultural and land management practices have degraded our soils worldwide. Practices like intensive tilling, overuse of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, deforestation, and leaving soil bare disrupt the soil structure, kill beneficial microbes, and lead to erosion.

When soil is degraded:

  • It loses its ability to store carbon. Tilling, for instance, exposes SOM to oxygen, causing microbes to rapidly consume it and release the stored carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2​.
  • It can release other potent greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide (N2​O) due to synthetic nitrogen fertilizer overuse.
  • Its capacity to absorb and hold water diminishes, increasing runoff, erosion, and vulnerability to both droughts and floods.

Beyond Carbon: The Ripple Effects of Healthy Soil

Improving soil health isn’t just about carbon. It creates a cascade of benefits for a healthier planet:

  • Improved Water Management: Healthy soil with good structure absorbs more water, reducing runoff, preventing erosion, and recharging groundwater. This makes landscapes more resilient to both floods and droughts.
  • Enhanced Biodiversity: Thriving soil ecosystems support a vast array of life, from microscopic bacteria and fungi to earthworms and insects, forming the base of terrestrial food webs.
  • Reduced Pollution: Healthy soil filters water and can break down certain pollutants. By reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, soil-friendly practices also decrease chemical runoff into waterways.
  • Increased Food Security & Nutrition: Healthy soils produce more resilient and nutrient-dense crops, contributing to a more stable and nutritious food supply.
  • Reduced Need for Inputs: Soils rich in organic matter and microbial life naturally provide more nutrients to plants, lessening the dependence on synthetic fertilizers, the production of which is energy-intensive and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Reduced Erosion: Strong soil structure, held together by roots and microbial glues, resists being washed or blown away, preserving our precious topsoil.
  • Cleaner Air: By reducing wind erosion, healthy soils contribute to cleaner air with less dust and particulate matter.

How Can We Improve Soil Health?

The good news is that we know how to regenerate soil health. These key practices, often grouped under the umbrella of regenerative agriculture or soil health management systems, have proven benefits for soil health:

  • Minimize Soil Disturbance: Reducing or eliminating tillage (plowing) keeps the soil structure intact, protects soil organisms, and prevents carbon release.
  • Keep the Soil Covered: Planting cover crops or leaving crop residue on the surface protects the soil from erosion, suppresses weeds, and adds organic matter.
  • Increase Plant Diversity: Rotating diverse crops and integrating cover crops feeds different types of soil microbes and improves soil structure.
  • Keep Living Roots in the Ground: Continuous plant cover ensures the soil microbiome is consistently fed via root exudates.
  • Integrate Livestock (Managed Grazing): Well-managed grazing can stimulate plant growth, add manure (nutrients and organic matter), and improve soil health.
  • Reduce/Eliminate Synthetic Inputs: Minimizing chemical fertilizers and pesticides allows the natural soil ecosystem to thrive.
  • Composting: Adding compost to gardens and farms directly increases soil organic matter.

What Can You Do?

  • Support Regenerative Farmers: Look for food grown using soil-healthy practices. Ask questions at farmers’ markets.
  • Compost: Turn your food scraps and yard waste into valuable soil amendments for your garden or community garden.
  • Garden Smarter: Practice no-dig gardening, use mulch, plant cover crops, and avoid synthetic chemicals.
  • Advocate: Support policies that incentivize farmers to adopt soil-healthy practices.
  • Learn & Share: Learn more and spread the word about the critical importance of soil health. Watching Kiss the Ground and Common Ground on Amazon Prime Video, and visiting their resources website are great ways to start!

Conclusion

Healing our planet requires looking down as much as we look up. By focusing on regenerating the health of our soils, we can actively draw down atmospheric carbon, enhance water cycles, boost biodiversity, improve food security, and build resilience to climate extremes. Healthy soil is a powerful, natural climate solution hiding in plain sight – it’s time we recognized its potential and started digging deep for a healthier future.

creativity

Nature is a packaging professor for product companies

Christa Avampato
Photo by Eiliv Aceron on Unsplash

“What are the characteristics of perfect product packaging?”

A business school professor teaching a product development class on packaging looked around at her students eagerly raising their hands.

“Inexpensive.”

“Perfectly fits the product without wasting space.”

“Lightweight.”

The professor opened her bag and took out a banana. She peeled it and began to eat it as students continued calling out answers.

“Biodegradable and non-toxic.”

“Eye-catching color.”

“Protects the product it holds.”

The professor nodded. These were all solid, practical answers. She finished the banana and held onto the peel.

“What about this?” she asked, holding up the banana peel. She could see the proverbial lightbulbs popping into her students’ minds. Inexpensive, perfectly fits product, lightweight, biodegradable, non-toxic, eye-catching color, and protects the product.

“Nature is a packaging genius,” she said with a smile.

From that classroom to major CPG companies, innovations in packaging are emulating nature’s packaging prowess while also tackling the massive waste conundrum that packaging has handsomely contributed to for decades.

Agricultural waste transformed into plastic alternatives

A packaging dream scenario is emerging: using agricultural waste to create alternative materials that replace fossil fuel-based packaging at similar costs and outperform them, all while being biodegradable and non-toxic. In 2024, Dr. Nasim Amiralian developed a process to turn sugarcane waste into packaging that also keeps food fresher longer. Sold by Australian company C4C Packaging, it’s used by Australian wineries and beverage companies. EverGrain, a subsidiary of AB InBev, upcycles grain waste from their beer production into packaging films. This is where circular economy principles meet economics meets business needs to protect the health of the planet. What a party!

Using clay to extend the life of fruits and vegetables

Like the business school professor above, I love bananas, but I don’t live anywhere near a climate grows them, so they are shipped, often in cardboard boxes. However, once picked, bananas (and many fruits and vegetables) ripen quickly due to the ethylene gas they emit. Prof. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad and PhD Scholar Mr. Pradeep Kumar at the India Institute of Technology saw this challenge and developed a type of nontoxic, biodegradable clay that can be incorporated into the cardboard to capture and dissipate the ethylene gas, extending the life of fruits and vegetable by up to a week. In addition to being a sustainable packaging practice it also reduces food waste.

Changing the product to suit the packaging

While most companies think of packaging as subservient to the product, British cosmetics and personal care company Lush turned around that idea. Long a pioneer of “naked packaging”, meaning it reduces the packaging to as little possible to protect the environment, Lush’s shampoos, conditioners, body wash, and other products are made as solid bars, often wrapped in simple, post-consumer, recyclable paper. Its bold packaging and product form statement causes its loyal fans and customers to rethink sustainable practices in other areas of their life. I love to see a product company living and creating by their values and purpose.

What I love about all these examples is that they are working with nature to solve problems at a systems level, C4C Packaging, EverGrain, India Institute of Technology, and Lush all recognize that we all share this one planet not only with each other but all species. We can only get to the future together so the needs of others must be as important to us as our own needs. Empathy and ingenuity are a powerful combination, and nature is a brilliant guide and teacher.