Grasslands don’t often receive the attention that, say, rainforests or coral reefs do. But they’re among Earth’s most important ecosystems. Consider that grasslands store almost as much carbon dioxide as the world’s forests combined — or that they can pack in nearly 90 different plant species per square meter (an area roughly the size of a bath towel). Grasslands have largely been neglected in conservation plans to date and are rapidly disappearing as a result. But a growing body of research is revealing how critical these ecosystems are for fighting climate change, protecting biodiversity and sustaining livelihoods. Read more.
 People look out at the Block Island Wind Farm off the coast of Rhode Island. Photo by USWDistrict4/Flickr How Clean Energy Projects in the US Can Earn Community Trust Local opposition can be a dead end for clean energy projects in the U.S. Or, it can be an opportunity to give communities a seat at the table. This approach is making clean energy a reality and bringing benefits to people across the country, from Alabama to Montana to California. Read more.
 A vibrant park on the site of a former coal mine in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. A just transition aims to ensure that all the benefits of shifting to a cleaner economy, including things like cleaner air and social welfare, are equally shared. Photo by Rupert Oberhauser/Alamy Stock Photo What Exactly Is a ‘Just Transition’? And Are Countries Making Progress? Countries are increasingly promising that their shift to a low-carbon future will benefit all people and leave no one behind. But how much have they really done to bring this “just transition” to life? Read more.
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