Unlocking the Potential of Nature to Address Water and Climate Challenges
In a world grappling with the intensifying impacts of climate change, the need for innovative, sustainable, and holistic solutions has never been more pressing. As communities across the globe confront simultaneous crises – from water scarcity and flooding to biodiversity loss and extreme weather events – a growing movement is turning to the power of nature-based solutions (NBS) to tackle these complex challenges.
NBS are strategies that are inspired by, supported by, or copied from nature, providing a wide array of benefits for both people and the environment. These solutions range from restoring forests and wetlands to installing green infrastructure in urban areas, all with the aim of harnessing the inherent resilience and problem-solving capacity of natural systems.
“By strategically restoring forests, we can protect larger trees that sequester more carbon and prevent outsized catastrophic fires that release huge carbon plumes, and we can prevent downstream reservoirs and waters from accumulating mud and toxins,” explains Felicia Marcus, the William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow at Stanford’s Water in the West program.
Aligning Climate and Water Through Nature’s Ingenuity
The intersection of water and climate change has become increasingly apparent, with the impacts of droughts, floods, and water scarcity being felt across communities. NBS offer a unique opportunity to address these interconnected challenges, providing multi-faceted solutions that benefit both the climate and water resources.
Restoring Forests and Meadows for Climate and Water Resilience
One of the most promising areas for aligning climate and water through NBS is the restoration of forests and meadows. By strategically clearing undergrowth and managing forests, these natural systems can absorb and store more carbon, while also preventing the devastating wildfires that release enormous plumes of carbon into the atmosphere.
“Forests are the most promising area in the short run. Forests are massive, and restoration projects have multiple benefits. Strategically clearing undergrowth enables more water to stay in the soil or flow down the watershed and helps prevent the unnaturally gigantic fires that come from overgrown forests,” says Marcus.
Meadow restoration is another powerful NBS, as it creates natural firebreaks, increases biodiversity, and improves water management. By slowing the flow of water, meadows allow for better timing of water delivery, greater aquifer recharge, and the prevention of sediment buildup in downstream reservoirs.
Beavers: Nature’s Engineers for Climate and Water
Interestingly, beavers have emerged as some of nature’s most effective engineers when it comes to addressing climate and water challenges. By building dams and creating marshes and wetlands, beavers help slow and spread the flow of water, serving as a natural antidote to the catastrophic wildfires and floods that have become all too common.
“Beaver dams and the marshes that develop behind them are the next best thing. Marshes are natural storage devices in and of themselves, which we desperately need at a time when climate change is causing decreases in snowpack,” explains Marcus.
These beaver-created habitats also play a vital role in sequestering carbon, filtering water, and replenishing aquifers – all while providing diverse ecosystems that support a wide range of species.
Harnessing Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Areas
While often associated with rural and natural landscapes, NBS have immense potential in urban environments as well. Cities are increasingly recognizing the value of integrating nature-based strategies into their infrastructure and planning efforts, unlocking a wealth of co-benefits for both the built and natural environments.
Greening the City: From Stormwater Management to Public Health
One prominent example of NBS in urban areas is the use of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), such as rain gardens, bioswales, and green roofs. These nature-inspired elements not only help manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality, but they also provide a host of additional benefits.
Studies have shown that during heatwaves, areas with parks and dense tree cover can be as much as 17 degrees cooler than nearby neighborhoods lacking adequate greenspace. This cooling effect not only enhances urban resilience to extreme heat but also leads to reduced energy consumption and associated emissions.
Beyond stormwater and climate resilience, urban NBS can also have a positive impact on public health. Spending time in nature-rich parks and greenways has been linked to reduced stress levels, improved concentration, and lower rates of diabetes, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases.
Funding and Policy Support for Urban Nature-Based Solutions
The growing recognition of the multi-faceted benefits of NBS has translated into increased funding and policy support, particularly at the federal level. In late 2022, the Biden Administration released a Roadmap for Nature-Based Solutions, outlining a strategy to align federal policy and funding to “ensure over $25 billion in infrastructure and climate funding can support nature-based solutions.”
At the local level, cities are also tapping into various funding sources to implement NBS. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, for example, provides states with nearly $2.3 billion in funding for pre-disaster mitigation projects that prioritize the incorporation of NBS.
Integrating Nature-Based Solutions into Community Planning
Successful implementation of NBS requires a collaborative, community-driven approach that engages technical experts, policymakers, and residents. By aligning NBS with local priorities and leveraging diverse perspectives, communities can unlock the full potential of these nature-inspired solutions.
Driving Equitable and Inclusive Outcomes
One of the key considerations in the adoption of NBS is ensuring that the benefits are equitably distributed across all members of the community. Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color have often been disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation and a lack of access to green spaces.
By proactively engaging these underserved communities in the planning and implementation of NBS, cities can address longstanding inequities and ensure that the benefits of nature-based solutions are accessible to all.
Building Partnerships and Leveraging Funding Opportunities
Integrating NBS into a community’s planning efforts requires a multifaceted approach that involves collaboration, technical expertise, and strategic funding. Cities can leverage partnerships with organizations like the Trust for Public Land, which offers Conservation Finance technical assistance to help generate local funding for NBS projects.
Additionally, the National League of Cities’ Urban Nature-based Climate Solutions Accelerator and the NBS funding database can provide valuable resources and guidance to help communities navigate the complex landscape of NBS implementation.
Conclusion: Embracing Nature’s Resilience for a Sustainable Future
As the impacts of climate change continue to intensify, the need for holistic, nature-based solutions has never been more urgent. By harnessing the power of forests, meadows, beavers, and urban greenspaces, communities can address the interconnected challenges of water scarcity, flood risk, and climate resilience, all while unlocking a wealth of co-benefits for both people and the environment.
Through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and innovative funding mechanisms, we can unlock the full potential of nature-based solutions and build a more sustainable and resilient future for all. Joint Action for Water remains committed to supporting this critical work, empowering communities to harness the ingenuity of nature and create lasting change.
