Nature is often seen as a victim of climate change, but it’s also one of the most powerful tools we have to fight it. Natural ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, oceans, and soils, absorb and store massive amounts of carbon dioxide. These ecosystems not only help reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, but they also regulate temperatures and provide buffers against extreme weather.
One of the most effective strategies for mitigating climate change is simply protecting and restoring these natural areas. For example, mangrove forests – those coastal wetlands filled with tangled, salt-tolerant trees – sequester carbon at high rates and help protect coastal communities from storm surges and rising seas. Peatlands – another type of wetland – store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined – despite only covering 3% of Earth’s land surface. Global restoration efforts are underway, from replanting mangroves in Southeast Asia to rewetting degraded peatlands in Europe.
Creating urban green spaces like parks and community gardens, restoring forests through native tree plantings, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices like cover cropping and agroforestry are all proven to be low-cost, high-impact climate solutions.
While nature-based solutions are gaining recognition, they remain critically underfunded, according to a recent United Nations report. Closing this gap is essential to unlocking nature’s full climate potential.
Investing in nature isn’t just about preserving Earth’s natural beauty. It’s a practical strategy for building a more resilient and sustainable future.
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Web Links
Mangrove forests and rising seas
Financing Nature-based Solutions for a better future
The Importance Of Urban Green Spaces
Photo, posted October 23, 2011, courtesy of the Everglades National Park / NPS via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio
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