Drawdown’s Latest ‘Tools of Possibility’ Show Path to 1.5°C, with 1,570 Billion Tons of Emission Cuts by 2050
Humanity can prevent or draw down 1,570 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions between 2020 and 2050 to approach a 1.5°C threshold for average global warming, or 992.77 billion tons to settle around 2.0°C, by adopting a menu of 82 practical solutions ranging from onshore wind to utility-scale solar, from reduced food waste and plant-rich diets to tropical forest restoration and clean cookstoves, according to the 2020 update of the popular Drawdown list.
Farmland Restoration Would Save 14.08 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Farmland Restoration places #23 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. Restoring 424 million acres of abandoned farmland to rich agricultural life by 2050 would, after a total investment of $72 billion, sequester 14.08 gigatons of carbon dioxide while providing a financial return of $1.3 trillion—and an additional 9.5 billion tonnes of food.
Geothermal Would Save 16.6 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Geothermal places #18 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. If it could increase its share of global electricity generation from 0.66 to 4.9% by 2050, geothermal would prevent 16.6 gigatons of CO2 emissions, at a net cost of $US155.5 billion but net savings of $US 1.02 trillion.
Wave and Tidal Power Would Save 9.2 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Wave and tidal power ranks #29 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. By 2050, this alternative energy source could eliminate 9.2 gigatons of atmospheric carbon dioxide at a cost of US$412 billion. Drawdown calculates that the installations would produce a net financial loss of $1 trillion over three decades, but the investment would result in substantial emission reductions over that time.
Indigenous Peoples’ Land Management Would Save 6.19 Megatons of Emissions, Sequester 849.4 Gigatons of Carbon, by 2050
Indigenous Peoples’ Land Management ranks #39 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. It can reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by 6.19 gigatons and sequester 849.37 gigatons of carbon by 2050.
Bamboo Would Save At Least 7.22 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Increased cultivation and use of Bamboo places #35 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions, with potential to cut atmospheric carbon dioxide by 7.22 gigatons of carbon dioxide. It would cost US$23.8 billion, but savings of $264.8 billion by 2050.
Walkable Cities Would Save 2.92 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Walkable Cities place #54 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. The strategy could cut atmospheric carbon dioxide by 2.92 gigatons by 2050 and produce an astounding US$3.28 trillion in net operational savings, though the corresponding costs are too variable to measure.
Peatlands Restoration Would Save 21.57 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Peatlands restoration is ranked #13 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. It can avoid 21.57 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. While data are too variable to permit a global accounting of costs, those hundreds of millions of acres of protected lands will permanently secure 1,200 gigatons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.
Landfill Methane Would Save 2.5 Gigatons of Emissions by 2050
Producing energy from landfill methane ranks #58 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with the potential to reduce atmospheric emissions by the equivalent of 2.5 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050, at a net cost of -US$1.8 billion and net savings of $67.6 billion.
Tree Intercropping Would Save 17.2 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Tree Intercropping places #17 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. Intercropping on 571 million acres globally by 2050 would sequester 17.2 gigatons of carbon dioxide and, after a total investment of US$147 billion, save $22.1 billion over the 30-year span.
Residential LEDs Would Save 7.8 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Ranked #33 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, using residential LED lighting to replace incandescent and fluorescent bulbs could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7.8 gigatons between now and 2050. In addition to its climate benefits, LEDs would save roughly US$1.7 trillion in energy costs over the same 30-year span.
CO2 Storage in Basalt Rock Could Cut Atmospheric Carbon by 30 to 300 PPM by 2100
Injecting carbon dioxide into underground rock deposits could some day permanently sequester vast quantities of the greenhouse gas, Drawdown reports. The summary lists the technique, known as enhanced weathering of minerals, among its Coming Attractions—climate solutions that were not ready for wide-scale use at the time of publication, but could have an impact by mid-century.
Plant-Rich Diet Would Save 66.11 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
A plant-rich diet places #4 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. While data vary too widely for a comprehensive global accounting, Drawdown sees a global shift away from the “meat-centric, highly processed, often excessive Western diet” cutting atmospheric carbon dioxide by 66.11 gigatons by 2050, saving trillions of dollars in health care costs, and boosting global GDP by as much as 13%.
Solar Farms Would Save 36.9 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Solar farms rank #8 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with the potential to eliminate 36.9 gigatons of carbon dioxide and produce net savings of US$5 trillion by 2050. On top of that the implementation costs of solar farms could deliver $81 billion in additional savings compared to fossil plants.
Educating Girls Would Save 59.6 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Educating girls ranks #6 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. By 2050, if universal education is achieved in low- and lower-middle-income countries, educating girls can eliminate 59.6 gigatons of carbon dioxide, with costs and savings that are both incalculable.
Industrial Recycling Would Save 2.8 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Industrial recycling ranks #56 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with potential to keep 2.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere over a 30-year period. Using commercial waste to produce new products also addresses another persistent problem: the scarcity that occurs when industries use virgin resources faster than the Earth can reproduce them.
Heat Pumps Would Save 5.2 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Heat Pumps show up as #42 in Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with experts predicting a 5.2-gigaton drop in carbon dioxide emissions through 2050 if the solution is adopted by 45% of the market. Replacing air conditioners and gas furnaces with high-efficiency heat pumps has a net implementation cost of roughly US$119 billion, but would produce estimated savings of nearly $1.55 trillion.
Artificial Leaf Promises Renewable Energy Source that Mimics Photosynthesis
The Artificial Leaf shows up on Drawdown’s list of Coming Attractions—a category of climate solutions that weren’t yet ready for widespread adoption when the book appeared, but seemed likely to contribute to a decarbonization target by mid-century. The technology would use a process based on natural photosynthesis to produce energy.
Net Zero Buildings Would Save At Least 1.7 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Net Zero Buildings place #79 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, capable of sequestering 7.1 gigatons of carbon by 2050 if only 9.7% of new buildings hit the standard. Net zero designs, which enable a structure to generate as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year, integrate multiple energy solutions, so Drawdown calculates their impact as a single system.
Repopulating the Mammoth Steppe Could Keep 1.4 Trillion Tons of Carbon Sequestered in Permafrost
Drawdown lists Repopulating the Mammoth Steppe as a Coming Attraction—one of a collection of climate solutions that are not yet ready for widespread adoption, but should be able to contribute to global decarbonization by 2050. The solution hinges on reintroducing herds of migratory herbivores to the Arctic regions of the world, where vast stores of carbon are locked in the permafrost.
Rice Intensification Would Save 3.13 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
A change in rice cultivation methods known as a System of Rice Intensification (SRI) lands at #53 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. Wider adoption of the technique could cut carbon dioxide emissions by 3.13 gigatons and save US$678 million by 2050.
Temperate Forest Restoration Would Save 22.61 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Temperate forest restoration places #12 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. The research team estimates that by 2050, temperate forests will naturally grow by 235 million acres and could sequester 22.61 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions.
High-Speed Rail Would Save 1.5 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
High-speed rail places #66 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. A global network of trains that travel at speeds of at least 220 kilometres per hour would cost close to US$1.3 trillion to install, but that budget would be almost entirely recouped over the lifetime of the infrastructure.
Clean Cookstoves Would Save 15.81 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Clean cookstoves are ranked #21 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with the ability to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15.81 gigatons by 2050. Nearly three billion households—40% of the people on earth—prepare meals over open fires fueled by wood, coal, animal dung, or agricultural refuse. Drawdown estimates that replacing these traditional methods with newer, cleaner technologies would cost US$72.16 billion, roughly $41 per stove, for a net saving of $166 billion in total operational costs over the 30-year period.
Large Methane Digesters Would Save 8.4 Gigatons of Carbon Equivalent by 2050
rge methane digesters rank #30 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8.4 gigatons by 2050. They operate at less cost than the conventional coal and natural gas power plants they replace, and would produce an estimated US$148.83 billion in savings over 30 years.
Onshore Wind Would Save 84.6 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Generating electricity with onshore wind turbines ranks #2 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. In 2017, onshore wind generated approximately 4% of the world’s electricity. Boosting that figure to 21.6% would cut CO2 emissions by 84.6 gigatons, as wind energy gradually replaces plants powered by coal, natural gas, and oil.
Reducing Food Waste Would Save 70.53 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Reduced food waste places #3 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. Reducing global food waste by 50% could decrease carbon emissions by a total of 70.53 gigatons by 2050, including emissions that would be cut by preventing deforestation for farmland.
Microgrids Can Deliver Decentralized Power, Boost Renewable Energy Use and Improve Public Health
Microgrids come in at #78 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. Defined as locally-managed electricity generation systems, microgrids can be powered by renewable resources like micro-wind, solar power, in-stream hydro, and biomass energy—whatever resources are available. Drawdown doesn’t quantify the carbon reduction value of microgrids independently, but includes their positive impact in its calculations for each energy source.
Managed Grazing Would Save 16.3 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Managed grazing ranks #19 on the Drawdown climate solutions list. Altering conventional grazing practices would sequester 16.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050, making it the second-most effective land use carbon sequestration solution. Extending the approach to 1.1 billion acres, up from the 195 million acres where they are now in use, would cost US$50.48 billion to implement and deliver savings of $735 billion by 2050.
Aircraft Fuel Efficiency Would Save 5.05 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Improving aircraft fuel efficiency ranks #43 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions, with the potential to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by 5.05 gigatons by 2050. The shift would cost US$662.4 billion, but produce net savings of $3.19 trillion.
Afforestation Would Sequester 18 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Afforestation—cultivating timber plantations on previously depleted land—comes in at #15 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. By sequestering carbon in timber, soil, and biomass, newly-planted forests can reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by 18.06 gigatons, Drawdown calculates. And from an initial implementation cost of US$29.44 billion, a net operational savings of $392.33 billion is projected to grow.
Perennial Food Crops Could Boost Soil Carbon and Food Security, Reduce Deforestation
Replacing soil-depleting annual food species with perennial crops is one of the 20 carbon reduction options that Drawdown lists as Coming Attractions—strategies that weren’t ready for prime time when the book was published, but looked like promising approaches through mid-century.
Replacing Cotton with Industrial Hemp Could Reduce Demand for World’s ‘Dirtiest Crop’
Substantially replacing cotton with industrial hemp is one of the 20 carbon reduction options that Drawdown lists as Coming Attractions—strategies that weren’t ready for prime time when the book was published, but looked like promising approaches through mid-century.
Building with Wood Could Sequester Carbon, Produce Fewer Emissions Than Concrete
Building with wood is making a comeback, and is included in Drawdown’s list of “coming attractions” as a decarbonization option that hasn’t yet hit the mainstream, but could be a part of a wider set of post-carbon solutions by 2050.
Intensive Silvopasture Could Cut Methane Emissions, Boost Carbon Sequestration in Animal Agriculture
Intensive silvopasture is one of the 20 carbon reduction options that Drawdown lists as Coming Attractions—strategies that weren’t ready for prime time when the book was published, but looked like promising approaches through mid-century.
Solid State Wave Energy Systems Have No Moving Parts, But Many Specialized Requirements
Solid state wave energy is one of 20 carbon reduction options in Drawdown’s list of “coming attractions” that hold major future promise, but aren’t quite ready for prime time. The technology has incredible potential, but faces barriers to becoming a current, mainstream solution.
Smart Highways Would Turn Roads Into a ‘Positive Social, Environmental Force’
A shift to smart highways is one of the 20 carbon reduction options that Drawdown lists as Coming Attractions—strategies that weren’t ready for prime time when the book was published, but looked like promising approaches through mid-century.
Smart Grid Technology Would Enable ‘Variable’ Renewables, Save 0.7 to 2.1 Gigatons of Carbon Dioxide by 2050
Smart grid development is a low-carbon solution that Drawdown lists as a “coming attraction” that can help utilities accommodate the rise of renewable energy. It could also eliminate 0.7 to 2.1 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050.
Regenerative Agriculture Would Save 23.15 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Regenerative Agriculture places #11 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions, with the potential to cut atmospheric carbon dioxide by 23.15 gigatons. It carries an up-front cost of US$57.2 billion, but promises savings of $1.93 trillion, by 2050.
Recycled Paper Would Save 900 Megatons of Carbon by 2050
Recycled paper ranks #70 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. By 2050, recycled paper could eliminate 900,000 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions at an initial cost of US$573.5 billion, with eventual savings that are too indefinite to calculate.
Grid Flexibility Would Enable 80% Renewable Power Generation by 2050
Grid flexibility places #77 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions as an essential tool for making 80% renewable generation “a global reality” by 2050. Its costs and savings are impossible to calculate, as they will be embedded in local renewable energy projects around the globe.
Perennial Bioenergy Crops Would Save 3.33 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Increased cultivation of perennial bioenergy crops ranks #51 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with the potential to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by 3.33 gigatons by 2050 at a net cost of US$77.9 billion, but net savings of $542 billion.
Electrified Rail Would Save 500 Megatons of Carbon by 2050
Electrified rail places #74 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with the potential to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by 500 megatons by 2050. While expanding rail lines around the world from 166,000 to 621,000 miles (267,150 to about one million kilometres) would cost US$809 billion, 30 years of use would see $314 billion saved, with a further $770 billion in savings over the life of the infrastructure.
Bioplastics Would Save 4.3 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Ramping up production of bioplastics ranks #47 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with potential to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by 4.3 gigatons by 2050. First costs to capture 50% of the plastics market within 30 years would peak at US$19.2 billion.
Coastal Wetland Protection Would Save 3.3 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Protection of Coastal Wetlands ranks #52 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. The strategy could reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by 3.3 gigatons by 2050, as long as 75 million acres of these vital ecosystems (out of a total of 121 million world-wide) can be secured within the next 30 years.
Shipping Efficiency Would Save 7.9 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Increasing transport ship efficiency places #32 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. Efficiency gains of 50% across the sector, at a net cost of US$915.9 billion, could prevent 7.9 gigatons of CO2 emissions by 2050, while saving the international marine industry US$1 trillion in fuel costs over the life of the vessels.
Bike Infrastructure Would Save 2.31 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Bike infrastructure ranks #59 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. Better and more widespread bike infrastructure would eliminate 2.31 gigatons of carbon dioxide and produce net savings of US$400.5 billion, with further lifetime savings of $2.1 trillion.
Ridesharing Would Save 320 Megatons of Carbon by 2050
Ridesharing ranks #75 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. It could cut atmospheric carbon dioxide by 0.32 gigatons at no cost, resulting in net savings of US$185.6 billion. That calculation is exclusive to commuters in Canada and the United States, and assumes ridesharing will rise to 15% of car commuters by 2050.
Insulation Would Save 8.27 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Insulation places #31 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions, with the potential to cut atmospheric carbon dioxide by 8.27 gigatons by 2050. The option carries an upfront cost of US$3.66 trillion, $2.5 trillion of which would be recouped within 30 years.
Home Water Efficiency Would Save 4.61 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Water saving in the home places #46 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. It can eliminate 4.61 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 at a net cost of $US72.44 billion, producing net savings of $1.8 trillion, based solely on energy savings from more efficient use of hot water.
Biomass for Electricity Would Save 7.5 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050…But Perils Await
Burning biomass to produce electricity places #34 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. It could avoid 7.5 gigatons of atmospheric carbon dioxide by 2050 at a net cost of US$402.3 billion, with net savings of $519.4 billion.
Pasture Cropping Restores Depleted Soils, Improves Wood Yields
Pasture Cropping, where annual crops are cyclically planted in perennial pastures, is one of the 20 carbon reduction options that Drawdown lists as Coming Attractions—strategies that weren’t ready for prime time when the book was published, but looked like promising approaches through mid-century.
Microbial Farming Would Mobilize the ‘Intricate Ecosystems’ Beneath Our Feet
Microbial farming, which involves reseeding exhausted farmland with the diverse microbiome upon which productive soil depends, is one of the 20 carbon reduction options that Drawdown lists as Coming Attractions—strategies that weren’t ready for prime time when the book was published, but looked like promising approaches through mid-century.
Marine Permaculture Could ‘Reforest’ the Oceans, Draw 102 Gigatons of CO2 by 2050
Marine permaculture technology that seeds the world’s oceans with kelp forests while pumping up colder, nutrient-rich waters from the ocean depths is one of the 20 carbon reduction options that Drawdown lists as Coming Attractions—strategies that weren’t ready for prime time when the book was published, but looked like promising approaches through mid-century.
Mass Transit Would Save 6.57 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Expanding use of mass transit ranks #37 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with the potential to eliminate 6.57 gigatons of carbon dioxide and produce US$2.38 trillion in savings. The cost, according to Drawdown, is too variable to be determined.
Concentrated Solar Power Would Save 10.9 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) places #25 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. Scaling up CSP to 4.3% of global electricity production by 2050 would avoid 10.9 gigatons of carbon dioxide. While implementation costs of CSP are high, at US$1.3 trillion, net savings by 2050 could total $414 billion, with lifetime savings of $1.2 trillion.
Intensive Silvopasture Could Cut Methane Emissions, Boost Carbon Sequestration in Animal Agriculture
Intensive silvopasture is one of the 20 carbon reduction options that Drawdown lists as Coming Attractions—strategies that weren’t ready for prime time when the book was published, but looked like promising approaches through mid-century.
Fuel-Efficient Trucks Would Save 6.2 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Increasing fuel efficiency in the global freight trucking industry places #40 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. It could reduce atmospheric emissions of carbon dioxide by 6.2 gigatons by 2050, at a net cost of US$543.5 billion, but $2.78 trillion in net savings.
Bamboo Would Save At Least 7.22 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Increased cultivation and use of Bamboo places #35 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions, with potential to cut atmospheric carbon dioxide by 7.22 gigatons of carbon dioxide. It would cost US$23.8 billion, but savings of $264.8 billion by 2050.
Walkable Cities Would Save 2.92 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Walkable Cities place #54 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. The strategy could cut atmospheric carbon dioxide by 2.92 gigatons by 2050 and produce an astounding US$3.28 trillion in net operational savings, though the corresponding costs are too variable to measure.
Conservation Agriculture Would Save 17.35 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Conservation Agriculture ranks #16 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. It would keep 17.35 gigatons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere by 2050 at a net implementation cost of US$37.5 billion, and bring US$2.12 trillion net savings.
Landfill Methane Would Save 2.5 Gigatons of Emissions by 2050
Producing energy from landfill methane ranks #58 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions, with the potential to reduce atmospheric emissions by the equivalent of 2.5 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050, at a net cost of -US$1.8 billion and net savings of $67.6 billion.
Concentrated Solar Power Would Save 10.9 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) places #25 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. Scaling up CSP to 4.3% of global electricity production by 2050 would avoid 10.9 gigatons of carbon dioxide. While implementation costs of CSP are high, at US$1.3 trillion, net savings by 2050 could total $414 billion, with lifetime savings of $1.2 trillion.
Indigenous Peoples’ Land Management Would Save 6.19 Megatons of Emissions, Sequester 849.4 Gigatons of Carbon, by 2050
Indigenous Peoples’ Land Management ranks #39 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. It can reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by 6.19 gigatons and sequester 849.37 gigatons of carbon by 2050.
Geothermal Would Save 16.6 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Geothermal places #18 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. If it could increase its share of global electricity generation from 0.66 to 4.9% by 2050, geothermal would prevent 16.6 gigatons of CO2 emissions, at a net cost of $US155.5 billion but net savings of $US 1.02 trillion.
Conservation Agriculture Would Save 17.35 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Conservation Agriculture ranks #16 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. It would keep 17.35 gigatons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere by 2050 at a net implementation cost of US$37.5 billion, and bring US$2.12 trillion net savings.
Wave and Tidal Power Would Save 9.2 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Wave and tidal power ranks #29 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. By 2050, this alternative energy source could eliminate 9.2 gigatons of atmospheric carbon dioxide at a cost of US$412 billion. Drawdown calculates that the installations would produce a net financial loss of $1 trillion over three decades, but the investment would result in substantial emission reductions over that time.
Tree Intercropping Would Save 17.2 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Tree Intercropping places #17 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. Intercropping on 571 million acres globally by 2050 would sequester 17.2 gigatons of carbon dioxide and, after a total investment of US$147 billion, save $22.1 billion over the 30-year span.
Temperate Forest Restoration Would Save 22.61 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Temperate forest restoration places #12 on Drawdown’s list of climate solutions. The research team estimates that by 2050, temperate forests will naturally grow by 235 million acres and could sequester 22.61 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Plant-Rich Diet Would Save 66.11 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
A plant-rich diet places #4 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. While data vary too widely for a comprehensive global accounting, Drawdown sees a global shift away from the “meat-centric, highly processed, often excessive Western diet” cutting atmospheric carbon dioxide by 66.11 gigatons by 2050, saving trillions of dollars in health care costs, and boosting global GDP by as much as 13%.
Bamboo Would Save At Least 7.22 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Increased cultivation and use of Bamboo places #35 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions, with potential to cut atmospheric carbon dioxide by 7.22 gigatons of carbon dioxide. It would cost US$23.8 billion, but savings of $264.8 billion by 2050.
Walkable Cities Would Save 2.92 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Walkable Cities place #54 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. The strategy could cut atmospheric carbon dioxide by 2.92 gigatons by 2050 and produce an astounding US$3.28 trillion in net operational savings, though the corresponding costs are too variable to measure.
Reducing Food Waste Would Save 70.53 Gigatons of Carbon by 2050
Reduced food waste places #3 on the Drawdown list of climate solutions. Reducing global food waste by 50% could decrease carbon emissions by a total of 70.53 gigatons by 2050, including emissions that would be cut by preventing deforestation for farmland.