July 7, 2026

New research coauthored by UCSB Environmental Studies Assistant Professor Rafael J. P. Schmitt and published in "Science" shows that smarter land use can benefit biodiversity, climate, and economies at the same time. 🌎

By analyzing land use across 146 countries, the research found that many nations could improve both environmental outcomes and economic returns by better allocating land for agriculture, grazing, forestry, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation. The findings challenge the idea that protecting nature must come at the expense of economic development, highlighting practical "win-win" opportunities through targeted restoration, improved crop production, and country-specific land management strategies.

Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/g7kuP44d