Grasslands don’t often receive the attention that, say, rainforests or coral reefs do. But they’re among Earth’s most important ecosystems. Consider that grasslands store almost as much carbon dioxide as the world’s forests combined — or that they can pack in nearly 90 different plant species per square meter (an area roughly the size of a bath towel). 

Grasslands have largely been neglected in conservation plans to date and are rapidly disappearing as a result. But a growing body of research is revealing how critical these ecosystems are for fighting climate change, protecting biodiversity and sustaining livelihoods. 

Local opposition can be a dead end for clean energy projects in the U.S. Or, it can be an opportunity to give communities a seat at the table. This approach is making clean energy a reality and bringing benefits to people across the country, from Alabama to Montana to California. 

Countries are increasingly promising that their shift to a low-carbon future will benefit all people and leave no one behind. But how much have they really done to bring this “just transition” to life? 

A recent study found that over $1 trillion in corporate value is housed in the countries most vulnerable to climate change. With the right financial structures in place, private companies could play a bigger role in shoring up these countries — and their own assets — against growing climate risks. 

Grasslands account for about a third of all carbon stored in the world’s landscapes, meaning they are essential to curbing climate change.