Conservation X Labs hosted The Big Think from January 29-31, 2025, in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, bringing together leading experts in alternative proteins, conservation, and open innovation. In collaboration with Re:wild and GFI-Brazil, the event set the stage for groundbreaking conversations on the intersection of biodiversity conservation and the development of a sustainable bioeconomy.

Big Think participants explored innovative pathways that leverage alternative protein development to drive biodiversity conservation while supporting a regenerative economy in the Amazon. Discussions centered on bioprocessing, equitable bioprospecting, and sustainable agroforestry, and how these solutions could build a globally competitive alternative proteins industry that safeguards ecosystems and fosters livelihood opportunities across Amazonian landscapes.

Throughout the event, participants engaged in presentations, interactive workshops, and group work to help shape future innovation programs. The field trip on Day 2 provided an immersive experience, allowing attendees to connect directly with the challenges and opportunities in the region.

As we look ahead, The Big Think is just the beginning. Conservation X Labs is excited to continue building partnerships and creating funding opportunities that will empower new solutions for both the Amazon and the planet. This is a pivotal moment in driving global change, and we invite you to be part of it.

To stay engaged and explore future opportunities in the alternative proteins space, please reach out to us at alt.proteins@conservationxlabs.org. We look forward to continuing the conversation and collaborating on innovative solutions for the Amazon and beyond.

Event Materials

Access the event agenda and other materials to revisit the topics covered during The Big Think. These resources are available for your reference and to deepen your understanding of the discussions that took place.

• View Three Pager

• Pre-reading Materials

• Agenda Overview

• Participants’ Bios

We're excited to be heading to Climate Week in New York City!
Catch our team speaking at key events, and be sure to stop by and say hello if you see us attending other events.

Learn more about where you can find us throughout the week:

Monday, September 23 

• Alex Dehgan ATTENDING:

  • World Economic Forum Uplink Biodiversity Community Lunch.

  • Elemental Accelerator Climate Science Fair

• Nitin Sekar ATTENDING: Climate Week Kick-Off Summit hosted by Food Tank with The James Beard Foundation titled “Restaurants and Farms are Key Solutions to the Climate Crisis.”

• Daphne Yin ATTENDING:

  • Event by the Ford Foundation and Tenure Facility: “From Commitment to Action - Enabling Funding for Indigenous Peoples in Multilateral Climate and Biodiversity Initiatives.”

  • Regen House: Scaling Regenerative Agriculture

  • Climate Week Kick-Off Summit hosted by Food Tank with The James Beard Foundation titled Restaurants and Farms are Key Solutions to the Climate Crisis

  • Regen House: The Big Food Redesign Challenge

  • Climate Justice Summit

Tuesday, September 24

• Alex Dehgan ATTENDING:

  • Stephen C. Freidheim Symposium on Global Economics

  • Council on Foreign Relations Lunch:  Accelerating Solutions at the Intersection of Climate Change and Food Security.

  • Nature Action 100: Ramping Up Private Sector Action to Meet Global Biodiversity Goals

  • Activate Hard Tech Showcase

  • Renaissance Philanthropy Climate Week Happy Hour (Closed)

  • Celebrating Nature Tech Reception

  • WEF Innovation Reception: Igniting Collaboration in the Ecosystem (Closed)

  • The IUCN Climate and Finance Event at the Explorer’s Club – Unlocking Investments in Nature

• Nitin Sekar ATTENDING: Food Day by the PlantWorks Foundation

• Daphne Yin ATTENDING: Collective Action for Just Finance - “Investing in Indigenous-led Climate Solutions”

Wednesday, September 25

• Alex Dehgan ATTENDING:

  • Global Citizens Now Convening (Closed)

  • Rainforest X Prize Session at the @Explorer's Club on Innovating for Biodiversity’s Future a Solution Showcase and Reception (Open)

  • Happy Hour - Voyager’s Climate Tech Community

• Liam Torpy ATTENDING: Forest Restoration Leadership Forum by 1t.org and the Doris Duke Foundation

• Daphne Yin ATTENDING:

  • How to Respond to Climate Disruption of Agriculture

  • Nature - Making the Priceless Valuable hosted by Forest Trends & Encourage Capital

  • Addressing the Human and Environmental Costs of Mining for EVs, hosted by Climate Rights International

  • Women on the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis hosted by Women's Earth and Climate Action Network

Thursday, September 26

Alex Dehgan SPEAKING: World Biodiversity Summit
1:50-2:15 pm - Fireside Chat on Innovation at the Intersection: 
Dual Benefits for Nature and Economy, at the World Biodiversity Summit.

• Rolando Cruzado ATTENDING: "Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Lab Networking" by the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance.

• Liam Torpy ATTENDING: World Biodiversity Summit 

• Daphne Yin ATTENDING: World Biodiversity Summit

Friday, September 27

• Alex Dehgan ATTENDING “Superorganism Restore”.

Sunday, December 3rd - Skills of the Future (PaneL)

12:15 - 11:15am GST | Arizona State University Pavillion

Monday, December 4th - 10 MUST HAVES INITIATIVE (PANEL DISCUSSION) 

10:30 - 11:30am GST | Arizona State University Pavillion

WATCH A RECORDING OF THE SESSION

TUESDAY, December 5th - How our misuse of nature is undermining human health and planetary health10 MUST HAVE INITIATIVE (PRESENTATION) 

3:30 - 3:50pm GST | ASU Pavillion

THURSDAY, December 7th - Planetary health: The case for collaboration to protect people and planet (PRESENTATION @ devex CLIMATE+ Event) 

12:50 - 13:10pm GST
WATCH A RECORDING OF THE SESSION

EXTINCTION SOLUTIONS INDEX
BIG THINK

RESEARCHERS, SCIENTISTS, INNOVATORS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND CONSERVATIONISTS IN A COLLABORATIVE IDEATION SETTING.

FACILITATORS: ALEX DEHGAN, PAUL BUNJE, RACHEL MARTIN

An inspiring Ideation Workshop harnessed the power of facilitated discussions, dynamic brainstorming sessions, and cutting-edge group decision-making tools, all aimed at driving progress towards the grand vision of the Extinction Solutions Index Big Think. Participants collaborated to identify and refine the most impactful solutions for addressing each key driver of extinction, marking a significant stride towards a sustainable future.

The Extinction Solutions Index (ESI) is a program designed to create a ranked list of effective environmental actions to address the biodiversity crisis. Its goals include identifying a wide range of solutions, developing a quantitative method to pinpoint high-impact actions, and creating a versatile tool that considers factors like return on investment and socio-economic metrics alongside environmental impacts.