In this interview, jointly with the Drawdown Agenda, Paul Hawken, the co-founder and Executive Director of Project Drawdown, discusses the inception and mission of Drawdown– and explains the research, modelling and analysis underpinning the project. He emphasises how this project is the first of its kind, as previously many, even within the science community, had a scant understanding of the wide range of different possible solutions–and their effectiveness. In particular, Paul emphasises the need to move beyond the pervasive “silver bullet” mentality that venerates a single overarching solution towards a broader positive solutions-based approach to systemic change. This is now essential, he argues, as an overtly negative focus in climate communication has largely prompted disempowerment and disengagement. Instead, Drawdown presents a positive action-oriented framework to reverse global warming — and also to create a fairer, more egalitarian, and regenerative world. This is a profoundly inspiring, world-changing vision of the future, highlighting the critical importance of collective action to reverse global warming. (This is an edited version of an earlier interview Paul for the Drawdown Agenda).

Paul Hawken is the co-founder and Executive Director of Project Drawdown, a global non-profit that describes when and how global warming can be reversed. Paul is also an author and activist and has written seven books including; The Next Economy, The Ecology of Commerce, Blessed Unrest and Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, co-authored with Amory Lovins. Paul has also founded successful, ecologically-conscious businesses, and consulted with heads of state and CEOs on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental policy. He has served on the board of many environmental organizations including Centre for Plant Conservation, Shelburne Farms, Trust for Public Land, Conservation International, and National Audubon Society. a global non-profit that describes when and how global warming can be reversed. Paul is also an author and activist and has written seven books including: The Next Economy, The Ecology of Commerce, Blessed Unrest and Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, co-authored with Amory Lovins. Paul has also founded successful, ecologically-conscious businesses, and consulted with heads of state and CEOs on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental policy. He has served on the board of many environmental organizations including Centre for Plant Conservation, Shelburne Farms, Trust for Public Land, Conservation International, and National Audubon Society.

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