Reflections from Climate Underground conference on Al Gore’s farm in Tennessee

I recently had the privilege of attending The Climate Underground 2024 at Vice President Al Gore’s farm in Tennessee, where an incredible group of thought leaders, scientists, farmers, investors, activists and changemakers came together to confront the urgency of the climate crisis.

There were so many inspiring presentations. Some of my key reflections and highlights were the following:

- We spend so much time talking about the poly-crisis but perhaps we can also be engaging around poly-solutions?

- On the other side of fear is freedom

- ‘The Universe is not a collection of objects, it’s a communion of subjects’ Thomas Berry

- Global food systems account for approximately 30% of global warming pollution, with 15% coming directly from crop and livestock activities. Alarmingly, emissions from food systems are projected to increase by 30–40% by 2050, driven by population growth and more meat-intensive diets.

- Methane emissions from coal mining operations are twice that of all international aviation — highlighting the scale of environmental challenges beyond just one sector.

- Over the past three decades, the world has lost $3.8 trillion in crops and livestock due to disaster events. And the most vulnerable — the poor, elderly, children, and agricultural workers — are bearing the brunt of these impacts.

But here’s the optimistic note: We have the solutions — from solar energy to regenerative agriculture. Technologies that can reduce emissions by 50% and bring us closer to net zero already exist. For example, carbon sequestration in soil has immense potential to reduce atmospheric CO2. One of the fascinating areas of discussion was the power of fungi.

These insights are a powerful reminder of the critical importance of addressing the deep-rooted inequities that exacerbate climate impacts, particularly for communities of color. The interconnectedness of climate, justice, and community is critical. This experience deepens my commitment to ensuring that the voices of those most impacted — Indigenous communities, people of color, and vulnerable populations — are not just heard, but centered in the climate justice movement. The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue — it’s a justice issue. Together, we can transform these insights into action and build a more just, sustainable world for everyone.

Some of the incredible speakers and guests included Merlin Sheldrake, Karenna Gore, Konda Mason, Aidee Guzman, Toby Kiers, Rev. Richard Joyner, Bruno Basso, Patrick Brown, Kris Covey, Alice Waters and more!

#ClimateJustice #ClimateAction #RegenerativeAgriculture #NetZero