What Are Nature-Based Solutions for Environmental Challenges

🌧️ We waste millions of liters of runoff water in cities — every time it rains. Instead of letting it rush into storm drains and out to sea, we can infiltrate it back into the ground, restoring natural water cycles and recharging precious aquifers. 💧 🌳 Enter: Trees. Our quiet climate heroes absorb stormwater, filter out pollutants, and literally cool our cities. In Colombia, research shows urban trees can reduce city temps by up to 2°C — that’s a big deal for heat resilience. 🥵➡️😊 But the benefits don’t stop there. Trees offer: ✅ Free oxygen – Nature’s original air purifier ✅ Air filtration – Cutting harmful pollutants ✅ Biodiversity support – Shelter for birds, bees, and beyond ✅ Food security – Fruit trees in cities = better nutrition ✅ Stormwater control – Reducing flood risks and erosion 🌿 Nature-based solutions like urban tree planting, green roofs, and permeable pavements aren’t just pretty — they’re essential climate infrastructure. Cities that embrace them are building climate resilience + healthier communities. 📚 Sources: UN-Habitat: The Critical Role of Nature-based Solutions World Cities Report 2024 🖼️ Illustration by @_iarchitect #BiophilicDesign #SustainableCities #UrbanForestry #ClimateAdaptation #NatureBasedSolutions #GreenInfrastructure #LandscapeArchitecture #ResilientCities #StormwaterManagement #ThisIsLandscapeArchitecture

💰 Did you know that within the largest ever grant for nature-based solutions is a targeted focus on #peatlands? 🎉 Last week saw a multi-million dollar ($200M!) climate grant go to The Nature Conservancy to advance nature-based solutions and reduce carbon emissions across #Maryland, #NorthCarolina, #SouthCarolina, and #Virginia! Its part of a $421 million grant from the EPA, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. 🎉 While this is great news for #climate, #nature and people in these areas I was particularly excited to see the focus on #PEATLANDs within the programing. 👑 Peatlands are often overlooked and undervalued - they are over-achievers when it comes to reducing carbon emissions. 👑 Peatlands cover 3% of the Earth but store 42% of all #soilcarbon, no wonder they are sometimes called the  "lungs of the planet" due to their crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. 👑 Peatlands provide a range of benefits to humanity: 🔁 They are a massive carbon sink, helping to mitigate climate change. It get's better, the waterlogged conditions in peatlands slow down the decomposition of organic matter, trapping carbon for millennia. 🌱 Peatlands also support a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are rare and endangered. 💦 They act as natural filters, improving water quality for downstream ecosystems. 🌊 Peatlands help to regulate water flow, reducing the risk of floods and can act as water reservoirs, helping to maintain water levels during dry periods. Where can you find peatlands? In many places: Boreal and Temperate Regions (Europe, NA, Russia, host a significant portion of the world's peatlands), Tropical Regions (Southeast Asia, parts of South America, Africa, and the Caribbean), Arctic and Subarctic Regions. ⛓ Unfortunately, many peatlands worldwide are under threat from human activities like drainage, deforestation, and climate change. Protecting and restoring these vital ecosystems is crucial for the health of our planet. 🎉 Back to TNC's historic grant - the largest ever for nature-based solutions. 🎉 The funding will enable TNC to significantly expand its efforts, improving forest management over 67,650 acres in the Appalachians, restoring 33,000 acres of peatlands, protecting 10,500 acres of land, and restoring 150 acres of tidal wetlands – helping us to reduce wildfire and flood risks and to achieve our 2030 goals for nature and the environment. 🚗 Altogether, the joint application is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 28 million metric tons CO2e by 2050. At a minimum, that is equivalent to taking more than 6.67 million gas-powered vehicles off the road each year 👏🏻 Congratulations Matthew Kane Debbie Crane Chelsea Bowers Cara Chancellor Svetoslav Gatchev Kate Dempsey Maggie Stone Kelley Hamrick Lucy Almond Samarrth Khanna Sion McGeever Daniel Zarin Laure-Sophie Schiettecatte Dr. Uwe Ballhorn

Part 2 🌿 Farming Beyond the Field: Harnessing Nature to Shape Our Climate 🌧️ I recently had the privilege of joining Wayne Ebersole on the Outsyde Podcast to discuss a topic close to my heart: how farmers can manage water cycles and even increase rainfall through regenerative practices and ecosystem management. 🚜💧 Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: 1️⃣ The Power of Cover: Keeping soil covered year-round isn’t just about preventing erosion—it’s about fostering conditions that capture moisture, reduce dust storms, and improve soil temperature. Farmers can mitigate failed rainstorms (haboobs) by maintaining green, living cover and adopting no-till practices. 2️⃣ Bioaerosols & Rainfall: Did you know every blade of grass and tree leaf releases bioaerosols like Pseudomonas syringae, which seed clouds at warm temperatures? Healthy vegetation doesn’t just grow crops—it seeds rainfall. 🌱☁️ 3️⃣ The Local Resilience of Regen Ag: Regenerative farms like Gabe Brown’s in North Dakota and Brad McIntyre’s in Idaho demonstrate unmatched resilience. From drought resistance to flood absorption, their farms thrive under extreme conditions—while neighbors struggle. 4️⃣ Fixing Our Food System: It’s time to break the cycle of subsidizing sickness. Current systems prop up nutrient-poor foods laden with chemicals while regenerative systems focus on nutrient density, soil health, and local food economies. Models like Singing Frogs Farm in California are paving the way with their high-yield, no-till approaches. 5️⃣ Regeneration is the Real Climate Solution: Regenerative agriculture doesn’t just reduce emissions; it restores the water cycle, rebuilds soil, and increases climate resilience—all while feeding people better and healthier. This is the sustainable path forward. 🌍 One particularly memorable part of the discussion? Comparing the dust storms in Idaho to a “Gandalf moment” in The Lord of the Rings: “You shall not pass!” The dust literally repels rain while the uncovered ground exacerbates climate extremes. 🌀 💡 What’s next? As we discussed, these solutions are scalable, profitable, and accessible. Whether you’re a farmer, policymaker, or passionate advocate, regenerative practices can transform our planet—and our future. 🎧 Catch the Full Episode: Listen to the full episode here, where we explore these concepts in-depth, including how restoring the Great Green Wall in Africa could mitigate hurricanes and why nutrient-dense food starts with healthy soil. Thank you Wayne for hosting. Wayne Ebersole Big Sky Capital Group LLC AgReserves, Inc. Singing Frogs Farm EcoRestoration Alliance Soil4Climate Inc. #RegenerativeAgriculture #ClimateSolutions #WaterCycle #Sustainability #SoilHealth #Farming #FoodSystems https://lnkd.in/gaFQhhmy

As we seek solutions to protect people and nature, we can reduce coastal risks with reef restoration. Using 3D (OpenFOAM) models we assess the effects of hybrid reefs on wave breaking, which can reduce flooding and erosion. We use game engine technology to visualize the dynamic results of these high res models. These 3D models follow the flow of water; see how wave energy is dissipated inside of these reefs (instead of on businesses on shore). We believe it is critical to visualize these results to inform policy and practice and to develop innovative ways to finance these nature-based solutions. In one of the most recent policy successes, we have worked with federal partners to identify Reefs as Natural Infrastructure in Executive Orders and Legislation in Hawai’i, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Am Samoa and in the past month the Mariana Islands. FEMA, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, US Army Corps of Engineers Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) https://lnkd.in/g_fNtAck OpenFOAM modeling (interFOAM) by Benjamin Norris with support from David Gutiérrez-Barceló, Borja Gonzalez Reguero, and IHCantabria 3D visualization by Ian Costello and Jessica Kendall-Bar  Project supported by UCSC Center for Coastal Climate Resilience, AXA Research Fund, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Reef designs developed and models calibrated and validated with partners at University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science and Penn State University To see more and learn about how the Center is using models to assess coastal hazards and evaluate nature based-solutions, you can find us on YouTube https://lnkd.in/gWfExhi9. Follow us for regular posts with results from our latest model runs.

We often talk about agtech as the future of farming, but what if the most meaningful change isn’t tech at all? This recent piece from Agfunder News gets to the heart of something we believe deeply at Propagate: agriculture doesn’t simply need better tools, it needs a nature-based focus. Technology can (and should) help, but the real opportunity lies in working with natural systems, not around them. The next generation of agriculture will be shaped by ecological intelligence just as much as digital intelligence. That means: 🐝 Designing systems that optimize photosynthetic capacity, integrate perennials, and restore ecosystem function at scale 🖼️ Converting from extractive inputs to biological processes that enhance soil health, water retention, and nutrient cycling 🧠 Building durable models that support long-term profitability, climate resilience, and carbon performance Nature-based solutions aren’t a niche, they’re a systems-level opportunity. And the infrastructure to scale them is finally taking shape. Thanks to Sajeev Mohankumar. PhD and AgFunder for highlighting! https://lnkd.in/g9Un9efh

At times of great and rapid change, it is always useful to take a step back, away from the specifics of a particular question, or a specific policy change, and look at the big picture. I recently had a chance to do that while reading an excellent article, "Evidence and attribution of the enhanced land carbon sink" (Ruehr et al, 2023, linked in the comments). The article is a review of the "evidence for and implications of an increased land carbon sink" (it's a separate and longer story as to why I was reading this paper). What struck me is the section, "Implications for natural climate solutions." This is a review, remember, and so the point of this paragraph was to succinctly summarize the state of the science. For anyone working on any part of natural climate solutions, this section is worth a read, as it reminds us what exactly we're working towards, what the challenges are - and, most importantly, why these solutions are critical. A few noteworthy excerpts, below: "Nature-based climate solutions represent a growing suite of strategies to increase land carbon storage and avoid greenhouse gas emissions through natural ecosystem management. Reforestation, agroforestry and reducing deforestation together have the potential to mitigate up to 20 [billon tonnes of CO2e per year] (NOTE: that is almost half of global net emissions of 41 billion tonnes in 2024). The main policy tool aimed at reforestation and reduced deforestation is carbon credits . . . The general consensus is that protecting . . . forests is optimal for carbon storage . . . However, there are potential downsides of NCS projects . . . carbon credit programs are liable to abet greenwashing . . . gains from NCS projects are also modest relative to current anthropogenic emissions of fossil carbon. On the whole, however, NCS projects, when appropriately implemented at scale, are expected to increase the land carbon sink and slow the growth of atmospheric CO2." I found that a very good and concise summary of the promise and the peril of Natural Climate Solutions, all the more valuable because it represents the broadest possible consensus about their role in the struggle to mitigate climate change. To sum up: 1) NCS have the potential to produce truly massive amounts of mitigation at scale 2) They are not sufficient in themselves, however, and must be accompanied with aggressive emissions reductions 3) Carbon credits - love them or hate them - are the chief mechanism for implementing NCS (so if you hate them, come help us improve them!) Whatever corner of the NCS space you are working on, know that what you are doing is a critical component of the larger effort to mitigate climate change. And if you aren't working on NCS, or if you're skeptical of NCS, let this remind you that the science is quite clear - NCS isn't optional, we MUST figure out how to make it work at an unprecedented scale and within the next few years.

Did You Know That Coastal Wetlands Are Powerful Carbon Sinks? ➤ In the fight against climate change, nature offers some of the most effective solutions. Coastal wetlands, especially those with mangrove trees, are extraordinary at sequestering carbon. In places like Madagascar, these ecosystems pull vast amounts of carbon from the air, storing it in the soil for decades. ➤ Mangrove trees act as natural carbon sequestration machines, holding carbon for 50 to 100 years. While not permanent like fossil fuels, their role is crucial. Unfortunately, deforestation and the destruction of these vital ecosystems are significantly impacting our climate. ➤ Why does this matter? 📌 Natural Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves and coastal wetlands provide a sustainable way to capture carbon, making them essential in our climate strategy. 📌 Biodiversity and Protection: These ecosystems not only store carbon but also protect coastlines from erosion and support diverse wildlife. 📌 Call to Action: We need to reverse deforestation trends and advocate for the preservation and restoration of these natural carbon sinks. → We know how to sequester carbon—it's called a tree. By investing in policies and practices that protect and expand coastal wetlands, we can harness nature's power in our climate efforts. → Let's lobby, litigate, and coordinate to create systems that support these vital ecosystems. 💬 How can we better support and protect coastal wetlands in our climate strategies? → Share your thoughts and let's work together to make a lasting impact! ♻ Repost to raise awareness about #Sustainability and #ClimateChange #ClimateChange #CarbonSequestration #CoastalWetlands #Sustainability #Biodiversity #NatureBasedSolutions

🌱 Biochar in Kenya: A Village-Level Climate Solution You Can Join Plants already capture CO₂, but most goes back into the air. What if we could help nature lock more of that carbon in the ground? That’s exactly what PlantVillage+ is doing with real people, real results, at village scale: 🌾 They’ve built simple kilns in arid regions like Turkana, Baringo, and Kwale. 👩🌾 Local farmers, and many women are trained to convert agricultural waste into biochar. 🌳 Within a year, tree seedlings grown with biochar are stronger and more resilient 🌍 So far: Produced 228 t of biochar Sequestered ~1,200 t CO₂ Trained 300+ farmers, creating direct jobs They’re not dreaming. They’re doing. ✅ What You Can Do Today 👩🌾 Farmers – Collect dry crop waste. Build a simple trench kiln. Make biochar. 🌱 Composters – Mix biochar into compost. You’ll get better texture, and less smell. 🧑🔧 Youth groups – Build and sell $200 kilns. Help farmers use them. Earn while reducing waste. 🏘️ Village leaders – Set up one kiln per village. Make fuel. Improve soil. Train your own people. #WasteFree23 #Biochar #CarbonRemoval #VillageInnovation #SoilHealth #ClimateAction #CircularEconomy #LocalSolutions #PlantVillage #Agroecology #FarmIncome #NatureBasedSolutions

Beyond reducing emissions, we need to actively remove carbon from the atmosphere. Google is stepping up to the challenge, tripling its investment in carbon removal in 2024 to over $100 million. Here's how we're putting those resources to work: 🟢 Natural Carbon Sinks: Supporting projects focused on restoring forests and vital ocean ecosystems, recognizing their critical role in carbon sequestration. We are co-founders of Symbiosis Coalition, an organization dedicated to rigorous measurement for best-in-class nature-based projects. 🟢 Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW): Partnering with companies like Terradot to advance ERW, a process that accelerates natural CO2 absorption by spreading crushed rock on farmland, which also has the added benefit of improved soil health. 🟢 Waste Biomass Utilization: Investing in projects that convert waste biomass into stable forms that lock away carbon for centuries, preventing its release into the atmosphere. This includes support for biochar projects like Varaha and Charm Industrial, which provide co-benefits to local farmers. Our deals with these two companies are the largest biochar carbon removal purchases to date. 🟢 Direct Air Capture (DAC) Technology: Funding innovative DAC technologies, like Holocene, to make this potentially game-changing approach more cost-effective for large-scale deployment. Our deal with Holocene set a record low price target for DAC credits. These efforts are a testament to Google's commitment to a sustainable future. Recognizing that carbon removal is a complex and evolving field, I am proud to work for a company that is committed to continuous learning, adaptation, and collaboration when it comes to reversing climate change. Read more on our Keyword blog here: https://lnkd.in/gCgDMY8S #Sustainability #ClimateAction #CarbonRemoval #Google #Innovation #NetZero

Important new study in Nature Portfolio highlights the role natural forests can play in addressing the climate crisis, showing that these ecosystems can contribute to 30% of global carbon drawdown targets while preserving critical biodiversity.   This finding is both reaffirming and timely. We head into COP28 in the coming weeks at a pivot point in our efforts to mitigate climate change. The first Global Stocktake showed that we’ve fallen behind our goals from the Paris Agreement. At such an urgent moment, I’ve been disheartened by recent criticism knee-capping natural climate solutions as something short of a climate savior. It’s a false premise: There is no climate silver bullet coming to save us.   But while nature alone will not cure all, we also will not reach our global climate and biodiversity goals without halting and reversing nature loss by 2030. It’s that simple. The most recent IPCC report found that three of the five most impactful actions for curbing climate change involve nature: stopping deforestation; restoring natural ecosystems; and improving agricultural management. These solutions, among others, are cost-effective, immediate, and proven.   Conservation International is proud to support restoration efforts initiatives like 1t.org — which aims to conserve, restore & grow 1 trillion trees by 2030. In tandem with other climate solutions, they will help us mitigate warming, while strengthening biodiversity. But the time is now: If we delay action for another Stocktake cycle, it will be too late. Study: https://lnkd.in/g-SXZpaa