A new paper co-authored by Jin Bai, research associate at the Nicholas Institute, proposes a framework for urban ecologists to investigate the causes behind disparities in biodiversity between affluent and less wealthy neighborhoods. “Seeing the pattern of inequality is just the first step,” Bai told the Southeast Climate Adaptation Center. “Truly understanding the major factors that are driving those patterns is where we can address those gaps on a policy level.”

Today the United States Department of the Interior launched a digital Nature-Based Solutions Roadmap, developed in partnership with the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability at Duke University. This free public resource will serve as a user-friendly and accessible guide for implementing nature-based solutions.

The Innovation Showcase during the annual Energy Week at Duke brought together more than 100 students, faculty and industry leaders to explore climate tech solutions, reported WRAL News. Highlighting projects from the university's Design Climate incubator, students presented cutting-edge ideas to tackle coastal erosion, decarbonize industries, empower rural communities for a sustainable future and more.

How can debt-for-nature swaps meaningfully address the triple crises of debt, climate and biodiversity? This one-hour panel discussion at Climate Week NYC, moderated by executive in residence Elizabeth Losos, examined opportunities and obstacles involved in maximizing the potential of these swaps.

Nicholas Institute experts Martin Doyle, Lydia Olander and Tim Profeta recently served one- or two-year terms with federal entities. They discuss their temporary assignments—and what they brought back to Duke.

Martin Doyle served for more than a year as a senior advisor on water resources in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Civil Works, which provides civilian oversight of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Part of a series focusing on Nicholas Institute experts who have recently taken on temporary assignments within federal entities.

As director of nature-based resilience at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Lydia Olander worked for two years to connect efforts to protect U.S. lands and waters with emerging climate resilience priorities. Part of a series focusing on Nicholas Institute experts who have recently taken on temporary assignments within federal entities.

Nineteen individuals and teams were recognized Thursday with Climate Commitment Leadership Awards at the annual Duke Climate Commitment Celebration event. Award recipients included Nicholas Institute experts Kay Jowers, Lydia Olander, Ashley Ward and Katie Warnell.

In a deal announced this week, creditors—with support from the U.S. government—will refinance a portion of El Salvador's debt in exchange for the Central American country committing $350 million to conservation projects benefiting the Lempa River. “You’ve figured out a way to help them out by reducing the amount of money that they’re having to pay and shifting it over to something that everybody agrees would be a good thing,” Elizabeth Losos, Nicholas Institute executive in residence, told The Associated Press about the debt-for-nature swap.

Climate Week NYC 2024, held Sept. 22-29, gathered hundreds of business and political leaders across the globe to address the need for climate action. Among the distinguished voices included Duke University, whose lineup of climate experts shared their insights and research at several key events as part of Duke's Climate Commitment. A photo essay from Duke Today showcased the involvement of Duke scholars, including several from the Nicholas Institute.