Giving Compass' Take:

• The Aspen Institute reports on the potential for public lands to play a colossal role in climate sustainability and overall improved human health.

• What are the barriers in the way of utilizing public lands for conservation efforts? What can you do to support further research on the public lands' potential in the fight against climate change? 

• Watch a video from The Aspen Institute about public lands as a sustainable solution.


Constituting nearly one-third of the land mass of the U.S., public lands offer a critical solution to the climate and extinction crises and are fundamental to the clean air and water we depend upon for human health.

Join the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program in partnership with The Wilderness Society in celebrating National Public Lands Day (Saturday, September 26) with the launch of the report Public Lands, We the People: Creating a Healthy and Just Future for All. The culmination of a month-long virtual series, the report offers key guiding principles and critical policy recommendations for public lands’ big role in climate solutions as a natural tool to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, halt biodiversity loss, improve community health and well-being, create new sustainable economic opportunities and enhance the resilience of natural systems.

It is time to reimagine the role of our public lands as the solution they can be for building a more sustainable and just world.