Learn more about Project Drawdown & Drawdown Labs

Project Drawdown is a nonprofit that consists of researchers from around the world who are looking at existing technologies and amplifying solutions to address climate change. They’ve gathered information, crunched numbers on cost, and calculated the emissions they’ll reduce or avoid. Project Drawdown’s genesis came down to this: “We already have the solutions and practices necessary to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius if we scale them quickly.”

Everything humanity needs is within grasp. Jamie’s program, Drawdown Labs, focuses on scaling climate solutions quickly so they displace “business as usual” approaches. They’re focused on the “how.” How can actors in society put their resources to work to scale climate solutions? Capital needs to be moved toward solutions. Corporate behavior needs to be changed. That’s what Jamie seeks to do.

Jamie’s mantra: Every job must be a climate job

Climate change affects everything. It underpins every aspect of society and life as we know it. That means everyone has a role to play. Jamie emphasizes that “We need accountants doing carbon accounting. We need salespeople to shift their businesses away from selling into the fossil fuels sector to partner with climate-related companies. We need marketers, human resources professionals, farmers…Every sector of the economy needs to undergo a transformational change.”

Jamie provides a few examples for those seeking to take action: You could make scaling climate solutions part of your direct job. You could install solar panels or heat pumps. Or, you could tap key leverage points to help climate solutions scale faster (i.e. moving capital to climate solutions). You can change culture by telling stories about the future that’s possible. You don’t have to search for a climate job—you can apply a climate lens wherever you are.

The “Climate Solutions at Work” guide

Companies contribute to the climate crisis, for better or worse. The “Climate Solutions at Work” guide shares hundreds of climate solutions that are at our fingertips—and we need all of them. The guide emphasizes that there are things everyone can do. What are things that are positively or negatively impacting climate solutions? Direct emissions influence the climate—but so do political lobbying and investments. The guide is intended for employees to become better judges of their company’s climate pledges. It shares tips to contribute no matter what job function you’re in.

What are some things that can be changed within an organization?

• Emissions: They can stop directly sending emissions into the atmosphere through the supply chain.
• Policy lobbying: Are companies stepping up on policy when it matters? They are usually silent or even obstruct climate policy.
• Investments: What are companies offering as retirement plan options for employees? A huge amount of money goes directly to the fossil fuel sector.
• Business model transformation: What is the company’s business model? Can they transform their business models?
• Partnerships: Can the company end existing partnerships with the fossil fuel industry?
• Long-term thinking: how can companies shift from a focus on quarterly returns to one that values long-term solutions?

How do you hold companies accountable to green initiatives? What action can someone take at an individual level? What should your first step be? Listen to hear what you can do to take action—and maybe start your own climate action movement.

Resources Mentioned

• Project Drawdown
• Drawdown Labs
• Climate Solutions at Work Guide
• Changing Company Culture Requires a Movement, Not a Mandate
• SEC Proposes Long-Awaited Climate Change Disclosure Rules
• Jamie Beck Alexander’s TEDx Talk
• Amazon Employees for Climate Justice
• Doughnut Economics

Connect with Jamie Beck Alexander

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on Twitter

Connect with Jason Rissman

• InvestedInClimate.com
• On LinkedIn
• On Twitter

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