For over a century, we have released billions of tons of CO₂ into our atmosphere. Restoring our climate means safely and permanently removing this excess CO₂ to return us to pre-industrial levels.

We must undertake climate restoration in concert with mitigation and adaptation. While it is important to reduce emissions and adjust to life in a changing climate, this excess atmospheric CO₂ is the main driver of climate change. Even when we achieve net zero emissions, our legacy emissions will linger and cause climate change to continue and accelerate. Only climate restoration will address the dangerous levels of CO₂ already in our atmosphere.