News and Insights
Grassroots Climate Action Returning Habitats and Coastal Defenses to Louisiana Coastlines Significantly Impacted by Extreme Weather
For the past four years, volunteers and conservation groups have been working together to restore wetlands that once acted as nature’s buffer against storm surge and erosion by planting 30,000 native trees along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana.
Nature Moves to the Center of Mumbai’s Climate Defense
At Mumbai Climate Action Week, senior UNEP leadership emphasized the urgent need for nature-based cooling and climate-smart infrastructure in one of the world’s most heat-vulnerable coastal megacities. Strategies include restoring wetlands, expanding urban tree cover, and integrating green infrastructure into building design — all pointing to a broader global trend of prioritizing ecosystem solutions to heat, flooding, and sea-driven climate exposure.
Events and Community
New Course | Biodiversity 14
Emergent Intelligence of Trees: How Symbiosis Shapes Living Systems
A 10-week course with Jim Laurie
March 18 – May 20, 2026 | Wednesdays on Zoom (12 pm and 7 pm ET – choose one!)
What if the trees around us are not just carbon sinks—but intelligent, active stewards of life on Earth?
We’re thrilled to announce Biodiversity 14: Emergent Intelligence of Trees – How Symbiosis Shapes Living Systems — a 10-week online course starting March 18 through May 20, 2026, with restoration biologist and futurist Jim Laurie. This immersive learning experience invites you to dive deep into how trees shape our climate, soil, water, and living species, and why trees are central to restoring a livable planet.
Jim’s approachable and interactive teaching style blends short lectures, visuals, discussion, and breakout sessions, making this a great fit whether you’re new to the study of biodiversity or a seasoned learner. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of how nature’s intelligence works — and how we can support life-affirming systems for a livable future.
Your Weekend Read
This week’s book recommendation comes from Bio4Climate Executive Director Beck Mordini
A Forest Journey: The Role of Trees in the Fate of Civilization
By John Perlin
At first glance, you might think this is “just” a book about trees. But it is so much more! John Perlin shares the history of human civilization as it relates to forests. From commerce to conquest, every chapter of our history has been played out in relation to forests.
I first encountered John during our GBH talk and was fascinated to discover that our complex relationship with nature can be traced as far back as the epic tale Gilgamesh from 2100 BC. This reprint of Perlin’s 1989 book by Patagonia is full of stunning full-color pictures and was recently updated to include climate change and the biotic pump.
By purchasing this title through the link provided above, you’ll continue to support Bio4Climate. We are an affiliate partner of Bookshop.org and receive a portion of the sales price at no additional cost to you.