International Day of Climate Action: Why We Need to Give Back More than We Take

Op-ed by Duncan Williamson , Senior Manager, Public Affairs & Advocacy at the Rainforest Alliance

Deforestation, increasingly severe weather events, rising global temperatures, biodiversity loss, and inequality.??

Well, hello climate change.??

The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat; it is a clear and present reality. We are witnessing unprecedented changes in our environment every day. These changes are not just statistics; they are affecting ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide.??

Why doing nothing, leads to nothing?

The consequences of inaction are increasingly dire. More intense hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and devastating wildfires. These events not only cause immediate harm but also have long-term impacts on food security, water availability, and public health. Vulnerable populations, particularly in developing countries, will bear the brunt of these changes, exacerbating existing inequalities.?

But what can you do about this? The good news is that it's not all doom and gloom—imagine what could happen when we give more to people and nature than we take.?

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Global crises require a joint and systemic approach??

Agricultural, food, and forestry supply chains need to internalize different values; to not degrade – but instead restore; to not displace – but work in harmony with people and nature, not against them. The Rainforest Alliance works on both the supply side (helping 7.5 million farmers and workers be more sustainable, and communities to restore landscapes), and the demand side (helping companies source more sustainable ingredients, and understand their impact). Because the whole chain needs to change.. Supply chain efforts need to be coordinated with endorsement and investment from governments, financial institutions, and international organizations. This will help us move beyond the current mindset of fragmented, project-centric efforts which are holding us back.?

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Why companies should give back more than they take??

Companies that succeed in the future need to be those that become part of the solution, not part of the problem. These are companies that give more to communities and the environment than they take,?recognize the true value of people and nature in their business model, and use their market power to protect, restore, and regenerate critical landscapes.?

The role of global supply chains and consumer brands is to take action to guarantee that our most vulnerable ecosystems and communities will not be abused or degraded but protected and regenerated.?

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We are the Re-generation?

We must support the farmer transition to practices that build soil health, support biodiversity, and reduce fossil fuel-based chemicals. Regenerative agriculture can conserve land and water, create millions of jobs and help mitigate climate change – all while building stronger supply chains.?The Rainforest Alliance focuses on practices that increase resilience of the farm to climate change impacts and reverse biodiversity loss, leading to more productive soils that can improve farmer livelihoods and help strengthen food systems over time.?Yet, for many smallholder farmers already struggling to make ends meet, the transition to regenerative practices is not easy. This cannot fall on their shoulders alone. The responsibility must be shared.???

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All together now?

Companies and retailers need to take responsibility and invest in farmers adopting regenerative agriculture practices.?Secondly, governments need to stop supporting degrading agriculture and instead adopt policies, regulation and financial measures that support regenerative agriculture.?Thirdly, financial institutions and investors need to scale access to finance - one of the biggest barriers to farmers adopting regenerative techniques.?And last but not least, we need to bring consumers on the journey with us, driving awareness and demand for products grown more sustainably.???

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Consumers have more power than they think??

By choosing certified products, like the one with our little green frog on it, consumers support sustainable farming practices, fair treatment of workers and environmental conservation. Consumers can require more transparency from brands they consume, about their supply chains. No one can do this alone. By making conscious choices and advocating for broader changes, we can collectively drive the food industry towards a more sustainable and equitable future.???

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The time is now?

If we fail to address climate change, we risk catastrophic impacts on our planet. To sum it up: The world is reaching a tipping point, and we want to leapfrog from a ‘do no harm’ sustainability mindset to a ‘repair and restore’ regenerative mindset.??

Are you with us??

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