All over the world, everyday guardians are taking action, restoring Earth’s balance and regenerating ecosystems. Their work shows that we can step back from the red line and move toward the green line of resilience and renewal. Below, we highlight some of these solutionists whose efforts light the path forward.
VIRGILIO VIANA
Forester Virgilio Viana from Brazil founded the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability and pioneered the Bolsa Floresta Program. It provides income, healthcare, and education for communities in exchange for conservation. Protecting over 10 million hectares, the program prevents major CO₂ emissions and reduces deforestation. Viana shows that Amazon protection must align community prosperity with global climate stability.
VELDELY KINUPP
Agroecologist Valdely Kinupp, from Manaus (Brazil), pioneered the national movement for unconventional edible plants (PANC). On his Sítio PANC, he transformed degraded land into an agroforestry hub for hundreds of native species. Co-author of PANC no Brasil, he connects research, teaching, and farming to restore biodiversity and diversify diets. Kinupp shows how Brazil’s plant wealth can regenerate landscapes and reduce dependence on monocultures.
TESSA CLARKE &
SAASHA CELESTIAL-ONE
Co-founders of OLIO, Tessa Clarke and Saasha Celestial-One launched their food-sharing app in London (UK) to tackle waste. What began as a neighborhood initiative has grown to millions of users across 60+ countries. OLIO has rescued over 125 million meals, saving water, cutting emissions, and strengthening communities. They show how technology and neighborly trust can scale global solutions for food waste.
TANJA HAVEMANN
Economist Tanja Havemann, who grew up in Tanzania and Kenya and is now based in Switzerland, co-founded Clarmondial to link finance with sustainability. Through the Food Securities Fund, she has financed companies across 10 countries, reaching 95,000 farmers and restoring 151,000 hectares. Her work directs capital to regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, and climate-smart supply chains. Havemann demonstrates that innovative finance can build resilience for farmers and landscapes.
SEA BRIGANTI
Entrepreneur Sea Briganti, based in the USA, co-founded Loliware to replace plastics with seaweed-based alternatives. Her “seaweed tech” straws and utensils biodegrade safely while supporting regenerative seaweed farming. Loliware reduces plastic pollution, sequesters carbon, and nurtures marine ecosystems. Recognized as a global innovator, Briganti proves oceans can inspire regenerative materials for a sustainable future.
PATRICK BROWN
Patrick Brown, a fourth-generation farmer in North Carolina (USA), leads Brown Family Farm and The Connect Group. He grows vegetables, operates a CSA, and produces hemp-based wellness products through Hempfinity. His regenerative practices sequester carbon, support biodiversity, and strengthen soils while advancing land justice. Recognized as NC Small Farmer of the Year, Brown proves heritage farming can innovate for resilient and inclusive food systems.
PANDORA THOMAS
Pandora Thomas founded Earthseed Farm in California (USA) to reconnect communities of color with land through Afro-Indigenous permaculture. On 14 acres, she cultivates orchards while offering workshops and retreats rooted in ancestral wisdom. Earthseed functions as a sanctuary and model of ecological and cultural healing. By fostering biodiversity and eliminating chemicals, Thomas restores ecosystems while nurturing resilience and belonging.
LOUISE MABULO
Chef and farmer Louise Mabulo founded The Cacao Project in the Philippines after Typhoon Nock-ten devastated her community. She helps farmers shift to climate-resilient cacao agroforestry, planting over 85,000 trees. Her work restores degraded land, sequesters carbon, and improves livelihoods while uplifting women and youth. Recognized by Forbes and the UN, Mabulo shows how food sovereignty can drive resilience and climate action.
KRISTY DRUTMAN
As Brown Girl Green, Kristy Drutman, a climate communicator from the USA, amplifies marginalized voices in the movement. She created a global platform and founded the Green Jobs Board, connecting thousands to climate careers. Through media, workshops, and partnerships, she bridges science, culture, and equity. Recognized internationally, Drutman is reshaping climate storytelling to center justice and opportunity.
FRANCISCO APURINÃ
Francisco Apurinã, an anthropologist from the Apurinã people of the Brazilian Amazon, researches Indigenous bioeconomy and ecological change. He explores how traditional knowledge can sustain forests while creating livelihoods. Author and collaborator with institutions, he highlights Indigenous contributions to policy and science. His work restores links between biodiversity, community prosperity, and cultural resilience.
DR. FITRY PAKIDING
Dr. Fitryanti Pakiding, a marine scientist from West Papua (Indonesia), is a professor at the University of Papua. She integrates coral reef ecology, mangrove conservation, and Indigenous knowledge into marine stewardship. Her research and teaching empower local communities while advancing conservation science. Winner of the Whitley Award, she is recognized for pioneering approaches to protect ecosystems and livelihoods.
DR. KARLETTA CHIEF
Hydrologist Dr. Karletta Chief, a Diné (Navajo) leader from the USA, directs the Indigenous Resilience Center at the University of Arizona. Growing up without running water on the Navajo Nation, she committed to water justice. She co-designs climate-adaptive strategies with tribal nations, blending Indigenous and scientific knowledge. Honored nationally, Chief strengthens sovereignty, land stewardship, and water security for future generations.
CRISTIANE GOMES JULIÃO
Cristiane Gomes Julião, from the Pankararu people of Brazil, is an anthropologist and activist for Indigenous rights. She focuses on women, environment, and social justice, integrating academic research with grassroots leadership. Recognized in 2024 among Brazil’s Indigenous scientists, she uplifts gender equity and land stewardship. Julião bridges anthropology and activism to defend Indigenous sovereignty.
BRAULINA BANIWA
Braulina Baniwa, an anthropologist and activist from the Baniwa people of Brazil, co-founded ANMIGA, the National Association of Ancestral Indigenous Women Warriors. She works to unite Indigenous women in defending rights, culture, and ancestral knowledge. Currently a master’s student in anthropology, she advocates for gender equity and Indigenous leadership. Recognized nationally, Baniwa exemplifies the power of Indigenous women shaping just futures.
AILARS DAVID
Marine scientist Ailars David, from coastal Tanzania, founded the Aqua-Farms Organization to restore marine ecosystems and empower communities. His programs promote seaweed farming, aquaculture, mangrove restoration, and coral revival. These efforts sequester carbon, revive biodiversity, and protect coastlines while creating sustainable livelihoods. A recognized ocean leader, David proves people and marine ecosystems can thrive together.
AADITH MOORTHY
Engineer Aadith Moorthy, born in India and now working across India and the USA, founded Boomitra to transform farmlands into carbon sinks. Using AI and satellites, Boomitra enables farmers to earn carbon credits for regenerative practices. Working with 150,000 farmers on 5 million acres, the platform has sequestered 10 million tons of CO₂. Moorthy shows how technology and soil restoration can uplift farmers and tackle climate change.