Nature-based solutions

Definition

Nature-based solutions refer to the sustainable management and use of natural resources to address societal challenges, including climate change, disaster risk, and water scarcity. By utilizing ecosystems and biodiversity, these solutions aim to enhance resilience, mitigate environmental impacts, and provide multiple benefits to communities. This approach recognizes the intrinsic value of nature and emphasizes a harmonious relationship between human needs and ecological health.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nature-based solutions can help sequester carbon dioxide by restoring forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems, playing a crucial role in climate change mitigation.
2. These solutions often provide co-benefits like improved air quality, enhanced biodiversity, and increased recreational opportunities for local communities.
3. Investing in nature-based solutions can be cost-effective compared to traditional gray infrastructure projects like dams or levees, which may require significant maintenance and resources.
4. Nature-based solutions enhance community resilience by reducing vulnerability to climate-related risks such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves through natural flood management or urban greening initiatives.
5. Governments and organizations around the world are increasingly integrating nature-based solutions into climate action plans and policies as a means to achieve sustainable development goals.

Review Questions

• How do nature-based solutions contribute to climate change mitigation efforts?
  • Nature-based solutions play a vital role in climate change mitigation by leveraging the ability of natural ecosystems to sequester carbon. For instance, restoring forests and wetlands not only captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but also enhances biodiversity and provides habitat for wildlife. By integrating these approaches into climate strategies, societies can address emissions while simultaneously improving ecological health.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of nature-based solutions compared to traditional infrastructure in managing climate-related risks.
  • Nature-based solutions often prove more effective than traditional infrastructure due to their ability to work with natural processes rather than against them. For example, green roofs or urban forests can manage stormwater more efficiently than concrete drainage systems by absorbing excess rainwater. Additionally, these solutions typically require lower financial investment over time and provide multiple co-benefits, such as improved air quality and increased community well-being.
• Assess the potential for nature-based solutions to achieve broader social and environmental goals beyond climate adaptation.
  • Nature-based solutions hold significant potential to achieve wider social and environmental objectives beyond mere climate adaptation. By promoting ecosystem restoration or sustainable land management practices, these approaches can enhance food security through improved agricultural practices while also conserving biodiversity. Moreover, engaging local communities in implementing nature-based solutions fosters social cohesion and empowers residents to take an active role in environmental stewardship, contributing to sustainable development at multiple levels.

Related terms

Ecosystem Services: The benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, including provisioning (food and water), regulating (climate and disease), cultural (recreation and aesthetic), and supporting services (nutrient cycling).

Green Infrastructure: A network of natural and semi-natural features that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits, such as stormwater management, air quality improvement, and urban cooling.

Biodiversity Conservation: Efforts aimed at protecting and preserving the variety of life on Earth, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.