Hitting the Emergency Brake on Climate: Insights from Project Drawdown

The world is at a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change, and time is of the essence. According to Project Drawdown, we are facing a climate emergency, and the need to ‘hit the emergency brake’ has never been more urgent. But what does that mean, and how can each of us play a role in this mission?

In their article, Hitting the Emergency Brake on Climate, Project Drawdown outlines the strategies and actions required to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and restore balance to our planet. At Terry, we align with these principles, believing that every small, everyday action can contribute to meaningful climate action—without requiring drastic lifestyle changes from individuals.

The Climate Emergency: What Does It Mean?

Project Drawdown identifies the current climate crisis as a global emergency. We are pushing the limits of what the planet can sustain, and without immediate action, we risk irreversible damage to the ecosystems we depend on. Their call for hitting the ‘emergency brake’ is about urgently scaling up climate solutions that can significantly reduce emissions in the near term. This includes investing in renewable energy, restoring ecosystems, and improving agricultural practices, all areas that Terry actively supports through our partnerships with projects like One Tree Planted.

The Role of Ecosystem Restoration

One of the key strategies discussed in the article is restoring ecosystems that absorb and store carbon. Forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems like kelp forests act as natural carbon sinks, drawing down CO2 from the atmosphere. This is why Terry places such a strong emphasis on projects that focus on reforestation and marine ecosystem restoration.

For example, the work we’re doing with One Tree Planted directly supports reforestation efforts around the globe, helping to absorb significant amounts of CO2. You can read more about how tree planting can make a difference in our post about reforestation.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Every Purchase

Project Drawdown emphasizes the need for society to rapidly transition away from fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While large-scale actions are needed, individual actions can still make a big difference. This is where Terry’s model comes in: we make it easy for everyone to contribute to these larger climate goals through the purchases they already make. By shopping through Terry, every necessary purchase helps fund high-impact projects that actively reduce or sequester carbon emissions, like the Kelp Forest Alliance, which restores kelp ecosystems that absorb CO2 at a remarkable rate. You can learn more about the power of kelp in our post about marine ecosystems.

Urgent Action, Collective Power

One of the most important takeaways from Project Drawdown’s article is that urgent action is not optional—it’s necessary. But they also remind us that collective action is powerful. At Terry, we believe the same. Most people don’t have the time or resources to engage in large-scale climate action individually. That’s why we’ve built a platform that allows you to take part in impactful climate projects without altering your daily routine. Together, as a community, our small actions add up to monumental results.

What You Can Do Today

Project Drawdown makes it clear: we don’t have time to wait. But the good news is that solutions exist, and we can all play a part. Whether it’s through supporting ecosystem restoration, reducing emissions, or advocating for renewable energy, every action counts. By using Terry, you’re helping to accelerate these solutions in your everyday life, turning your purchases into tools for climate action.

For more tips on how you can take action, check out our sustainability guide.

Conclusion

Project Drawdown’s call to action is clear: we need to act now, and we need to act together. At Terry, we’re proud to be part of this movement, helping to fund the kinds of projects that will restore balance to our planet. Every time you shop through Terry, you’re joining a global community dedicated to solving the climate crisis, one purchase at a time.

Sources:

Project Drawdown, Hitting the Emergency Brake on Climate

—