Last week, I had the privilege of attending Acumen Up Close 2024, where we gathered around a vital question: “Within Reach: Building a Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Food Future.”
The discussions were inspiring, energizing, and filled with insights into how much progress we’ve made—and how much more there is to do. From addressing inequities in technology access to creating climate resilience for smallholder farmers, the solutions we need are within reach if we work together.
Here are a few reflections that left a lasting impression on me:
- Inequities of Technology – Getting on the Balcony
When you’re deep in the weeds of impact work, it’s important to occasionally step back, or as we say, “get on the balcony,” and take in the bigger picture. One stark reminder: 600 million people still lack access to electricity. In Sierra Leone, for example, I was reminded that 70% of the population—6 million people—remain without power. Yet, I was also blown away to hear that in just over a decade, companies like Easy Solar have driven a 5 to 25% increase in electrification by making clean energy affordable through rent-to-own solar-powered devices. We cannot be okay with these inequalities, especially when technical solutions exist! There is so much more to do on a global scale, but it’s important to celebrate and learn from these breakthroughs.
- Climate Resilience: A Top Priority, but Funding Must Follow
Climate resilience is increasingly becoming a top agenda item, but we still face challenges in aligning funding flows with the urgency of the issue. Acumen and the Gates Foundation are pushing hard to channel capital into this space, and the more we celebrate each step forward, listen to one another, and work together, the faster we’ll build the climate-resilient systems we need.
While there’s growing evidence—directly from farmers and research— showing the link between climate resilience and food security and (for example) the role of climate and weather tech, there remains a disconnect at the investment level. But we must do more. We need to continue listening and responding to the voices of the farmers themselves. As a Kenyan farmer said during a panel: “Tell us when it’s going to rain.” Sometimes, the simplest needs reveal the greatest opportunities for impactful solutions.
- Empowering Hard-to-Reach Communities
I was impressed to hear how dedicated resources can unlock rapid progress for hard-to-reach communities. A key takeaway was the need for not just more but smarter investments to reach the world’s most underserved populations. We’ve seen phenomenal progress driven by grit and determination, but there’s so much more to be done.
- The Critical Role of Nonprofits in Systemic Change
A question I often get is, “Why aren’t you working in the private sector?” My response: “As a nonprofit leader, I work WITH the private sector.” The private sector plays a huge role in operationalizing and scaling breakthrough technologies, but extra resources, incentives, and innovative finance are needed to ensure these solutions benefit everyone. Dedicated vehicles that foster public-private partnerships are crucial to overcoming systemic barriers and creating lasting change. At TomorrowNow.org, we aspire to exemplify how nonprofits can collaborate with private enterprises to unlock potential, engage governments, and lift entire systems. The nonprofit model allows us to focus on systemic change, uniting diverse stakeholders around a common goal—100 million climate-resilient farmers by 2030.
- The Power of Community
Finally, I was reminded of the irreplaceable role of community. In that room, I saw so many people committed to reshaping the future. Leaders like Jacqueline Novogratz, who over the past 2 decades has built a truly transformational organization, are injecting the right kinds of capital into the regions and innovations that will change our planet. Acumen’s manifesto speaks of humility and audacity—a guiding principle for all of us as we work toward a world where human flourishing and climate resilience go hand in hand.
This gathering reaffirmed my belief that inclusive, climate-resilient solutions are not just possible—they are within reach. We just need to push forward together, with boldness, humility, and a deep commitment to those we serve.
Let’s connect on LinkedIn.
