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---
title: Our Planet Faces Climate and Nature Crises—Let&#x27;s Tackle Both
description: Former P&amp;G President Paul Polmon makes the case for solutions that prioritize nature in the battle against climate change.
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author: Paul Polman
article:opinion: true
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article:published_time: 2021-04-14T21:28:35.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-02-24T09:51:50.621Z
article:section: Ideas
og:title: Our Planet Faces Climate and Nature Crises—Let&#x27;s Tackle Both
og:description: Nature-positive solutions are a $10 trillion opportunity that would create 395 million jobs. Why aren’t we doing more?
og:url: https://time.com/5954830/paul-polman-nature-positive-solutions/
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twitter:title: Our Planet Faces Climate and Nature Crises—Let&#x27;s Tackle Both
twitter:description: Nature-positive solutions are a $10 trillion opportunity that would create 395 million jobs. Why aren’t we doing more?
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte3bfc7cc65f5f501/698a18b497cdff7db66bbd77/paul-polman-nature-positive-solutions.jpg?branch=production&amp;width=3840&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
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# Our Planet Faces Twin Climate and Nature Crises. Here’s How We Can Tackle Both


![Paul Polman](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt02e46add84e42ef3/6998cc0147fe51d0d255c4bd/Paul-Polman_BW.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Paul Polman](https://time.com/author/paul-polman/)


![Paul Polman](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt02e46add84e42ef3/6998cc0147fe51d0d255c4bd/Paul-Polman_BW.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Paul Polman


Apr 14, 2021 9:28 PM UTC

![An oak seedling is planted near the Pacaya Volcano as part of a reforestation plan in Escuintla, Guatemala, Oct. 27, 2020.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte3bfc7cc65f5f501/698a18b497cdff7db66bbd77/paul-polman-nature-positive-solutions.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

An oak seedling is planted near the Pacaya Volcano as part of a reforestation plan in Escuintla, Guatemala, on Oct. 27, 2020.

An oak seedling is planted near the Pacaya Volcano as part of a reforestation plan in Escuintla, Guatemala, on Oct. 27, 2020.Moises Castillo—AP

![Paul Polman](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt02e46add84e42ef3/6998cc0147fe51d0d255c4bd/Paul-Polman_BW.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Paul Polman](https://time.com/author/paul-polman/)


![Paul Polman](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt02e46add84e42ef3/6998cc0147fe51d0d255c4bd/Paul-Polman_BW.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Paul Polman


Apr 14, 2021 9:28 PM UTC

Nature and climate are inextricably linked. Nature loss drives climate change and vice versa. Right now, both are in crisis.

[Repairing our natural climate](https://time.com/4070683/nature-climate-change/)—[reversing deforestation](https://time.com/5523794/costa-rica-president-carlos-alvarado-quesada-environment/), for example, or conserving ecosystems to sequester and store carbon—addresses both these crises. So-called natural climate solutions are one of the most important and cost-effective ways to stay on track for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050\. Yet they receive little attention and just 8% of public climate funding. That must change.

Well-designed natural climate solutions yield multiple co-benefits, including [greater biodiversity](https://time.com/5817363/wildlife-habitats-disease-pandemics/), improved watersheds, better farm outcomes and enhanced resilience against the impacts of global warming. They also address the opportunity for more inclusive growth for the world’s poor.

By 2030, nature-positive solutions will create more than [$10 trillion and 395 million jobs](https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/07/395-million-new-jobs-by-2030-if-businesses-prioritize-nature-says-world-economic-forum/), which is a huge opportunity. To accelerate progress, businesses are calling on governments to work together to create a policy feedback loop to spur bolder corporate action. This must include redefining our model of growth to value natural as well as financial capital.

Reversing nature loss is a crucial part of building back better. This is not just a critical opportunity. It’s our only option.

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