Ryan Bartlett
Director, Climate Risk Management & Resilience

Ryan directs WWF’s program managing and building resilience to a world of ever-increasing climate risks. He coordinates with our global network of offices and a broad array of stakeholders and partners, from local communities to governments and the private sector, translating climate science to support policy development, planning, and local action in conservation landscapes around the world. He is currently working to tackle our climate crisis through engagement with internal WWF teams and external partners to drive improved planning and implementation of nature-based solutions and sustainable infrastructure that build resilience for people and nature in a world of growing weather extremes.
Prior to joining WWF, Ryan worked in international water policy and economics for the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University. He received his master's degree from Duke in Environmental Management, focusing on climate change adaptation, international water policy and environmental economics and policy.
Originally from Reno, Nevada, Ryan grew up developing a deep appreciation for nature backpacking, skiing, and hiking in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains and throughout the public lands of the American west. He lives in Washington, DC.
“Climate change is arguably the most difficult challenge humanity has ever faced. It is inspiring to work with so many amazing partners around the world to work toward solutions that help build resilience for both people and nature in the face of so much change.”
In The News
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America Adapts
Podcast: Conservation and Adaptation in Asia’s High Mountain Landscapes – The Snow Leopard
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The Huffington Post
In Myanmar, Nature Can Help Communities Face Climate Challenges
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Climate Links
USAID Adaptation Community Meeting: Advance - Adaptation for Development and Conservation: Lessons Learned From the Field
More on Ryan
Title
Director
Education
- Master’s of Environmental Management (MEM), Duke University
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), University of Nevada, Reno
Areas of Expertise
- Climate change adaptation and resilience
- Climate vulnerability assessment
- Water resource management and policy
- Environmental economics and policy
- Climate-smart conservation
- Capacity building and training
Appointments
Publications
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Enhancing NDCs through Nature-Based Solutions
application/pdf, 4.03 MB
Nature-based Solutions are varied approaches to address a wide range of challenges for society, while also benefiting people and nature. Recently, Nature-based Solutions have emerged as essential tools to support broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
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Visioning Futures: Improving Infrastructure Planning to Harness Nature’s Benefits in a Warming World (hi-res)
application/pdf, 16.9 MB
This report (hi-res version), with support from GIZ, outlines a new planning approach integrating considerations of natural capital and ecosystem services, climate risks and resilience, and sustainable development needs to support social-ecological system scale planning.
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Assessing Climate Risk in Myanmar: Technical Report
application/pdf, 10.9 MB
This report presents climate risk information including observed climate and future projections of temperature, rainfall, sea level rise and various extreme events, and outlines how this information can be used in decision-making.
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Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions through Protected Areas
application/pdf, 8.7 MB
Nationally Determined Commitments (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2015 Paris Agreement underscore the role protected areas and other conserved areas play in reaching global mitigation and adaptation targets.