Reasons for Wild Hope: April 2025
- Wildlife Works
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Imagine a sheet of ice the size of the entire eastern United States — gone. That’s how much sea ice the Earth has lost since 2010, with global sea ice levels now at a record low. Meanwhile, the few remaining tropical glaciers in Africa are also vanishing quickly due to the intensifying effects of greenhouse gas emissions. This rapid decline poses serious and immediate risks to the millions of people who depend on these glaciers for their freshwater supply.
While these facts are deeply sobering, we must hold on to what former UN Climate Chief Christiana Figueres’ calls “stubborn optimism.” In a recent Mongabay podcast, she reminds us:
![quote graphic over a blue glacier that reads "Optimism is not naivety. It is not ignoring the facts [of the climate crisis]. It is a courageous choice, more similar to conviction than a mood. If you’re on a hike and don’t believe you can make it to the top of the mountain, you’ve already undermined yourself, and fighting climate change is the same way.”](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5be775_8afa78e6302144488fbedf698328a19f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_552,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/5be775_8afa78e6302144488fbedf698328a19f~mv2.png)
On our path to fighting climate change, Christiana emphasizes the importance of celebrating progress, no matter how small. It’s how we stay motivated and build momentum. She reminds us that missing a target does not equal failure — and that we can’t afford to think of climate solutions in binary terms. Waiting for perfection or dismissing efforts that fall short misses the bigger picture: every step forward matters, and progress, not perfection, is the goal.
One recent example of progress from the headlines that’s worth celebrating: new research shows that since 2016, deforestation in Indonesia has dropped by over 50%. This is huge — Indonesia’s rainforests are not only biodiversity hotspots but also home to some of the world’s most carbon-dense peatlands.
Wildlife Works is excited to contribute to this positive trend with our portfolio of horizon projects. Today, we introduce the Gerbang Barito REDD+ Project in Indonesia. In this email, you’ll meet the dedicated community and team at the heart of this effort — leading the way toward a more sustainable, hopeful future.
Introducing the Gerbang Barito REDD+ Project
In the heart of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, the Gerbang Barito REDD+ Project is safeguarding 19,752 hectares of peat swamp and community-managed tropical lowland forests critical to fighting climate change, home to endangered species like the Bornean Orangutan, Sunda Pangolin, and Helmeted Hornbill.
By partnering with the over 2,000 people who manage two community forests, including members of the Dayak Tribe, the project will finance sustainable forest management alongside economic opportunities and climate adaptation solutions for these communities.
From health clinics and forest patrols to reading clubs for children and women to raise environmental awareness, the Gerbang Barito REDD+ Project is working to build a future where both nature and people thrive.
Explore what community members have to say about their project on our new webpage.
Free, Prior and Informed Consent is More than Words on a Page
It’s nearly midnight, deep in the forests of Indonesia, when a message lights up Erlinda Ekaputri’s phone. What follows is a powerful reminder of what it truly means to work alongside communities to protect forests and wildlife.
In our latest blog Erlinda Ekaputri, Wildlife Works Indonesia Country Director, sheds light on all the work that goes into building trust and deep partnerships for community-led conservation projects.
“Behind every written and signed paper, there are untold stories - stories of struggle, resilience, and courage. Stories of people daring to trust, to dream, and to hope. Because sometimes, an agreement is more than just words on a page. It is a beacon of light in the darkness.
Employee Spotlight
Our global conservation work would not be possible without the dedication, expertise, and passion of our team members. Each month, get to know our team members and what they do through our Employee Spotlight Series.
In this month’s spotlight meet Imam Basuki PhD, Wildlife Works Senior Wetland Specialist for Indonesia. With over 2 years of experience with Wildlife Works, Imam is key to quantifying and mapping the carbon stored in Wildlife Works horizon projects in Indonesia.
