The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat; it has become a pressing reality impacting communities across the globe. The United Nations warns that climate change could push an additional 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030. In response to this urgent need, innovative solutions are crucial to mitigating these impacts and building a sustainable future.I am excited to highlight four remarkable organizations, each leading transformational efforts in their communities to address the climate crisis head-on.

AI for Changemakers: An unusual cross-sector coalition for action

Amidst the chaos, when the voices of the most affected communities often go unheard, grassroots organizations are rising to the challenge, and at the forefront of this movement is the AI for Changemakers Accelerator program. Launched by our team at Tech To The Rescue to support innovative solutions. With this initiative we aim to support over 100 organizations in 5 critical areas across the globe with AI pro bono implementations. Recently 30 remarkable organizations from the climate cohort joined the program [Meet the Climate Cohort]. We are inspired to work with these leaders, who are not just talking about change; they are actively implementing solutions that address the climate crisis while improving the lives of their communities.

A Day in the Life: Four Climate Changemakers Fighting for Our Planet

As we delve into the heart of this the climate chort of the program,, we meet four remarkable leaders whose stories exemplify resilience, innovation, and dedication. Each one of them leads an organization that plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change, and their narratives remind us of the human dimension of this global crisis. Let’s discover their unique stories.

1. Ahmed Ekzayez: The Heroes of Hope in a War-Torn Land

In the midst of a devastating humanitarian crisis, Ahmed Ekzayez, the spokesperson for the White Helmets, stands at the forefront of emergency response in Syria. Formed in 2013, this volunteer organization has become synonymous with hope in a land ravaged by war.

“Every day, we face unimaginable challenges,” Ahmed reflects. “We don’t just conduct search and rescue operations; we provide medical care, rehabilitate infrastructure, and build resilience within communities. After 13 years of crisis, the needs are immense.”

The White Helmets have recognized the increasing threat of climate-related disasters, especially floods that devastate already vulnerable communities. “Anticipatory action and disaster preparedness are key priorities for us now,” Ahmed explains. He believes that incorporating AI into their operations will help optimize resources and enhance response capabilities. “In an emergency, every minute counts. AI can help us respond faster.”

Ahmed goes on to elaborate on how the integration of technology can transform their efforts: “We are in the process of developing an AI-driven system that analyzes environmental data and predicts potential disaster scenarios. This will enable us to proactively prepare for emergencies rather than merely reacting to them. We want to save lives before disaster strikes.”

He also emphasizes the importance of community engagement in their work.

“Our volunteers are local heroes. They know their communities best and understand the unique challenges they face. Empowering them through training in disaster response and risk management is crucial to building long-term resilience.”

Ahmed’s commitment to leveraging technology in humanitarian work is unwavering, and he firmly believes that AI can bridge gaps in emergency management, providing invaluable insights and resources when they are needed most.

2. Carl Lens: Reforesting Our Future, One Tree at a Time

Meanwhile, Carl Lens,  Head of Digital Regreening at Justdiggit, passionately explains his organization’s mission to combat climate change by regreening African landscapes. “Justdiggit wants to cool down the planet,” he emphasizes. “We focus on Africa because it’s the continent with the most regreening potential.”

Carl elaborates on the practical strategies employed by his team: “We target degraded land—land that’s dried up and no longer green—and teach people interventions to regreen it. For example, when it rains, the water washes away all the fertile soil if the land isn’t properly managed. But if you dig holes, the water slows down and seeps into the ground, allowing the seeds we plant to sprout.”

Over the last decade, Justdiggit has restored over 435,000 hectares of land using similar techniques. “But we want to scale this up and use digital technology to reach more people,” Carl explains. “AI is going to help us with parts of that challenge.”

As he discusses their community engagement, Carl describes their innovative outreach efforts: “Typically, we visit villages and organize what we call a ‘movie road show.’ We invite the whole village to watch a movie that explains the benefits of regreening and teaches them what they can learn.” This hands-on process is critical, as Carl acknowledges that “a strong local presence” is essential for success.

He highlights the importance of building strong community ties: “Projects like this need local presence. It’s not just a Western NGO coming in to regreen African landscapes. We build strong community ties to ensure the local community is engaged and supports the effort.”

3. Marta Wawrzyniak: Empowering Communities to Rise Against Adversity

In Kenya, Marta Wawrzyniak leads PAH Kenya, an organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change. I have worked with PAH, the Polish Humanitarian Action, for more than two years, but I’ve been based in Kenya for a year now,” Marta shares.

“Before that, I’ve been involved in different contexts like the refugee response in Poland and the Ukrainian response, and I’ve also worked in Madagascar and the Central African Republic. Now, I’m in Kenya”.

“PAH has been working in Kenya since 2018, focusing on climate change mitigation,” Marta explains. “Our main areas are access to safe water and food security. Due to climate change, we face extreme weather patterns, which include irregular rainfall and droughts. This has led to significant challenges in water and food access.”

Marta details the innovative solutions PAH Kenya is implementing: “One of our primary initiatives is building sand dams in semi-arid areas. These structures capture and store water from seasonal rivers, allowing communities to access water even during dry seasons. This project isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about community involvement and ownership.”

“We build these dams with the community, ensuring they feel responsible for their maintenance,” she emphasizes. “This involvement fosters a strong sense of ownership. When water becomes available, communities often start farming around the dams, establishing kitchen or larger community farms.”

Marta passionately advocates for agricultural education, stating, “In Kenya, agriculture hasn’t always been seen as a viable career path. Many people in rural areas with access to land are discouraged from cultivating it. Our mission is to change this perception and encourage everyone to utilize their land.”

“We’re also focused on disaster risk reduction, providing training and tools for communities to create five-year plans to address climate-related disasters,” Marta shares. “We aim to connect local governments with communities, empowering them to advocate for themselves and their needs.”

Marta speaks about the successes PAH Kenya has achieved: “After workshops and community engagement, we’ve seen people undertake impactful projects like establishing market days and community gardens. These simple initiatives have made a big difference.”


4. Phil Dickenson: Revitalizing Degraded Biodiversity Through DMRV technology

Across borders, Phil Dickenson of RePlant World is using technology as a part of a solution to combat climate change and restore biodiversity in various regions. “We are based in Borneo, Indonesia but our tech is being used in East Africa and Australia” says Phil.

Phil’s goal is clear: We’re primarily focused on forest ecosystems and their restoration, especially if they’ve been degraded by industry or climate impacts” 

RePlant World are developers of nature tech (dMRV) to measure, monitor and verify biodiversity impacts and provide direct funding for indigenous communities globally. 

We’re currently using technology, thanks to being matched by Tech To The Rescue. We’ve developed DMRV technology, which stands for Digital Measurement, Reporting, and Validation or Verification. We use it to capture, measure, and report biodiversity impacts, predominantly through tree planting within forest ecosystems, whether heavily cleared and degraded or needing biodiversity support, as identified by local Indigenous communities” Phil explains.

Phil emphasizes the need for direct funding to Indigenous communities, who are often the most knowledgeable about their local ecosystems but lack the financial resources to sustain their conservation efforts. “By leveraging blockchain technology, we aim to enhance transparency in our conservation initiatives, ensuring that funding directly supports those who need it most.”

He is particularly enthusiastic about collaborating with Indigenous communities: “Their knowledge is invaluable. By integrating their traditional practices with modern technology, we can create a more effective strategy for biodiversity restoration. We believe that true conservation cannot happen without the input and leadership of Indigenous peoples.”

Phil reflects on the role of AI in their work: “AI has the potential to revolutionize how we approach conservation. It can help us map areas for restoration, predict outcomes, and measure success. The more we understand our ecosystems, the better equipped we are to restore them.”

Phil’s dedication to protecting biodiversity by working closely with Indigenous communities shines through, emphasizing the importance of restoring forests and supporting nature’s greatest defenders for future generations.

Let’s Build tech Solutions that really matter to the world!

The stories of Ahmed, Carl, Marta, and Phil illustrate the incredible potential of combining human resilience with technological innovation to combat the climate crisis. Their organizations are making a profound impact, but they cannot do it alone. See a real-life example of how AI Strengthened  Advocacy for Indigenous Communities across Latin America. 

Now, more than ever, technology companies must step forward to lend their expertise. Pro bono partnerships can provide critical resources and technological advancements these organizations need to scale their impact. Together, we can create a sustainable future and ensure that no community is left behind in the fight against climate change. See how to join the accelerator program as a tech organization and get matched with one of the 30 changemakers of this cohort!

How can your organization get engaged in the AI for Changemakers program?

For Nonprofits: The AI for Changemakers program welcomes applications from nonprofits from 4 more impact areas: climate, health, education, and job opportunity. Find the Application Timeline for each cohort on the program’s website and register to apply for the program as a nonprofit organization.

For Tech Companies: Tech companies willing to join the movement and support nonprofits with pro-bono AI solutions are encouraged to register and join the program on an ongoing basis. Register as a tech leader or tech team, and you will automatically join a global and vibrant AI for Changemakers community on Discord and get to know first about the organizations selected for the program.

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