When entrepreneur Yi Li cofounded Farmworks, she set out to build 1,000 climate-smart farms across Kenya, complete with dams, irrigation and organic fertilizers. The science was sound, but reality proved more complicated. Learn what she discovered about the missing ingredient behind failed climate solutions — and how it challenges a core assumption of the environmental movement on how to create lasting impact.

The missing piece in climate action (it's not what you think)

Lasting environmental solutions depend on financial viability, not just good intentions. When crates of unsold tomatoes piled up despite climate-smart investments, it became clear that profitability was essential for sustained change. Supporting farmers with steady markets and real income sparked greater adoption of climate-friendly practices than training alone. Economic success allowed thousands of farmers and vendors to invest in their land, proving that scalable climate action must be built on solid financial ground.

Real Climate Impact Begins With Sustainable Economics

Financial sustainability is the true foundation for lasting environmental impact, not just technical fixes or good intentions. After seeing tomatoes rot in storage and farmers doubt another new project, a bold shift in focus put profitability first. When farmers gained reliable income, real change took root as they invested in better practices and their own futures. Transforming climate action means making viable markets, not just delivering knowledge.