AS the world faces the increasing challenges of climate change, it’s easy to think that high-tech solutions are the only way to fix the problem. However, sometimes the best answers are the simplest ones, and they often come from nature itself. Using what we call “nature-based solutions” (NBS), we can help the environment and fight climate change effectively and affordably by working with nature, not against it.
What Is Nature-Based Solutions?
Nature-based solutions utilize natural processes to tackle significant environmental issues, promoting ecological well-being and improving the quality of our living environments. These approaches are often referred to as “natural climate solutions,”
which involve actions that counteract climate change by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere or preventing methane (CH4) emissions. Forests, oceans, and peatlands, known as “carbon sinks,” excel at this task by absorbing more CO2 and CH4 than they emit, effectively storing excess carbon and preventing its conversion into greenhouse gases.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), nature has the potential to contribute around one-third of the necessary CO2 reduction by 2030, crucial for mitigating the severe impacts of climate change. This highlights the importance of combining natural solutions with emerging technologies and energy-saving measures.
Planting More Trees: Forests Are More Than Just Wood
Forests act as massive air filters, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, making them vital for the Earth. Preserving these “green lungs,” especially ancient, multi-storey forests with high carbon stock and sequestration rates, is crucial. Planting more trees enhances CO2 capture through photosynthesis. However, forest restoration differs from planting trees in parks or gardens. It requires respecting the area’s natural biodiversity and involving local communities. Introducing non-native tree species can displace local flora, disrupting the food and habitat of wildlife dependent on them. Thoughtful forest restoration ensures that our actions benefit the planet, its inhabitants, and the diverse plant and animal life that rely on it.
Oceans: Blue Carbon of Our Climate System
The ocean covers over 70% of Earth’s surface and plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate. It absorbs heat and carbon dioxide, supports biodiversity, and sustains human life. As global warming intensifies, leveraging ocean-based natural solutions becomes a promising strategy to enhance climate resilience and reduce atmospheric CO2 levels. The ocean sequesters carbon through processes like phytoplankton photosynthesis and the accumulation of organic matter in coastal blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds). Protecting marine biodiversity, including coral reefs and sustainable fisheries, is vital to maintaining important ecological functions and coastal protection. Recently, 100 volunteers gathered on a popular beach in Yokohama, Japan to combat climate change. They planted light-green eelgrass strands in the shallows to capture more blue carbon.
Wetlands: Nature’s Water Shields
Wetlands act as carbon sinks and protect against floods and storms. They store carbon in their soil, with coastal wetlands and tropical peatlands being especially efficient. These habitats can store up to ten times more carbon per unit area than forests. Preserving and restoring wetlands enhances carbon storage and provides crucial barriers against waves, erosion, and flood damage. Protecting mangroves and peatlands is a cost-effective strategy to address climate change and safeguard communities.
Greening Our Cities: More Than Just Pleasant Scenery
As cities grow, creating and taking care of green spaces like parks and gardens becomes very important. Plants and trees in cities can cool down areas, making them more comfortable during hot weather and reducing the need for air conditioning. This not only saves energy but also helps clean the air and make the city more attractive.
Cities around the world are starting to invest in green spaces because they realize how beneficial they are for the environment and for people’s well-being. For example, Singapore’s government has actively promoted the integration of green space into urban development.
Farming Smarter: Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture is about farming in a way that improves the soil and the environment. By planting cover crops and reducing tillage, these practices can help to sequester carbon from the air and store it in the soil. This not only helps fight climate change but also makes the soil healthier and improves crops yields. There are examples worldwide showing that this kind of farming not only helps the planet but can also be more productive, especially in tough conditions like droughts.
The Power of Community
For nature-based solutions to really work, the people who live in these environments must be involved. Local communities often know a lot about their environment and can offer insights that help make these projects more successful. Plus, when communities are involved, they’re more likely to keep supporting these projects in the long run, making sure they last and continue to provide benefits.
Making Nature-Based Solutions Bigger
Global warming necessitates increased utilization of nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Governments, businesses, and communities worldwide must collaborate to implement these solutions on a larger scale ….
Finally, it is important to take opinion from experts about NBS:
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
