Harnessing the Power of Nature to Mitigate Climate Change

Climate change is undeniably one of the most pressing challenges faced by humanity today. The rapid increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities has resulted in a plethora of environmental, social, and economic consequences.[1][2][3]Among the myriad strategies proposed to mitigate the impacts of climate change, nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being recognized as powerful tools that can help us combat this complex problem.[4]These approaches, which involve the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of ecosystems, offer a wide range of benefits for both people and the environment.

Total GHG emissions, 1990–2022 (Image source: UNEP)

The Green Lung

Forests are the most iconic example of nature-based solutions. Covering nearly one-third of the Earth's land surface, they play a vital role in regulating the global climate by acting as carbon sinks.[5]^,[6]Through the process of photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass.[7]This helps to offset some of the CO₂ emissions generated by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.

Proportion and distribution of global forest area by climatic domain, 2020 (Image source: Eduardo Tusa)

Protecting and restoring forests is essential to mitigating climate change. The first step to achieving this is to prevent further deforestation, which is responsible for 12 to 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions.[8]Policies and initiatives aimed at conserving existing forests, such as the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) program, should be encouraged and scaled up. [9]

REDD+ program (Image source: United Nations Climate Change)

In addition to forest conservation, reforestation and afforestation efforts can help increase the Earth's carbon sequestration capacity.[10]Planting trees on degraded land or areas that have been deforested can restore ecosystem functions and provide a range of benefits such as soil stabilization, water regulation, and habitat provision for countless species.[11]

Unsung hero against climate change

Wetlands, including swamps, marshes, and peatlands, are another crucial component of nature-based solutions. They are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, providing a variety of services such as water purification, flood control, and habitat for numerous species.[12]Despite covering only around 5 - 8% of the Earth's surface, wetlands store an estimated 20 to 30% of global soil carbon.[13]

To harness the potential of wetlands as climate change mitigators, it is crucial to preserve and restore them. This can be achieved through policies that promote the sustainable use of wetlands, as well as by implementing restoration projects that aim to rehabilitate degraded wetlands and restore their natural functions.[14]

Benefits of restoring wetlands (Image source: The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands)

The nexus of food security and climate change

Agriculture is both a victim and a contributor to climate change. On the one hand, the sector is highly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming, such as droughts, floods, and extreme weather events.[15]On the other hand, it is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through deforestation, land use change, and livestock production.[16]

A drought-stricken cornfield in Texas (Image source: USDA)

Nature-based solutions in agriculture can help address these challenges by promoting practices that are both climate-resilient and low in emissions. Agroforestry, which involves the integration of trees into agricultural systems, can enhance carbon sequestration, improve soil fertility, and reduce soil erosion.[17]This, in turn, contributes to increased agricultural productivity and food security, while simultaneously mitigating climate change.[18][19]

Agroforestry farming system (Image source: Vi Agroforestry)

Conservation agriculture, another NBS approach, involves the adoption of practices such as minimum tillage, crop rotation, and cover cropping. These methods help to maintain soil health, enhance water retention, and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.[20][21]By adopting these practices, farmers can improve their resilience to climate change while reducing their environmental footprint.

The principles of conservation agriculture (Image source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

Protecting our shores and sequestering carbon

Coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes, are vital components of the global carbon cycle.[22]They sequester large amounts of carbon in their biomass and soils, with some estimates suggesting that they can store up to 5 times more carbon than terrestrial forests.[23]In addition to their role as carbon sinks, coastal ecosystems provide numerous ecosystem services, including coastal protection, water purification, and habitat provision for a multitude of species.[24]

Preserving and restoring coastal ecosystems is essential for climate change mitigation. This can be achieved by implementing policies that discourage the conversion of these habitats for other land uses, as well as by investing in restoration projects that aim to rehabilitate degraded coastal areas.[25]

How mangroves sequester carbon in their biomass and in soil (Image source: Suresh and Park 2019)

Nature-based solutions offer a multifaceted approach to climate change mitigation. By harnessing the power of ecosystems, we can not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance our resilience to the impacts of climate change. To ensure the success of nature-based solutions in mitigating climate change, it is crucial that they are integrated into broader climate change policies and strategies. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of climate change, nature-based solutions offer a promising pathway towards a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet and its inhabitants.