Nature Based Solutions

Climate change is a disturbing problem we’re all facing. The frenzied weather effects are getting harder to ignore. While technology like solar panels and electric cars is important, there’s another way we can help the planet and that’s by using nature itself. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are all about taking care of natural areas like forests and wetlands so they can do what they do best: protect the Earth. These ideas help fight climate change and give extra benefits, like cleaner air, more green spaces, and healthier communities. Nature-based solutions are a smart and powerful way to fight climate change. They help the planet, support people, and are worth more investment and support from governments and communities.

Nature-based solutions are projects that effectively use nature to deal with environmental problems. Some examples are planting trees, restoring wetlands, using better farming practices, and adding more plants to cities. These actions absorb carbon from the atmosphere, improve water quality, and make neighborhoods more livable. For example, in Detroit, city leaders are planting trees to help cool down neighborhoods. Cities with fewer trees can get hot in the summer, especially in areas where people already struggle with health and money problems. These trees give shade, help clean the air, and make parks more welcoming (Planet Detroit, 2025). Bigger projects also help. Scientists say that restoring forests and protecting wetlands could reduce about one-third of the carbon emissions we need to cut by 2030. That’s a huge amount (The Nature Conservancy, 2017).

A study in Global Change Biology looked at nature-based projects around the world and found that most of them made a real difference. They helped reduce the effects of climate change and also brought other good things, like more animals in the area and better water (Chausson et al., 2020). In cities, adding more trees can cool down streets during summer heatwaves. A news report said that if a city increases its tree cover by just 10%, temperatures can go down by almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit. That might not sound like much, but during a heatwave, it can save lives (AP News, 2024).

Some people don’t think nature-based solutions are enough. They worry that if we only rely on nature, we might ignore other tools we need, like wind power or electric transportation. They also point out that trees and wetlands take time to grow and work. If we plant a forest today, it might take years before it pulls in enough carbon to help the planet (Chausson et al., 2020). Furthermore, explaining that humans don’t live forever. Nature based solutions use an abundance of time.

Indeed, nature alone can’t fix everything but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use it. Nature-based solutions should be used with technology, not instead of it. Together, they’re more powerful. Plus, trees, plants, and green spaces give benefits that machines can’t. They protect animals, give people places to relax, and even help with mental health (The Nature Conservancy, 2017).

Nature-based solutions are a smart, affordable, and effective way to fight climate change. They don’t just lower carbon levels, they also make communities stronger and healthier. If we invest in nature and use it alongside technology, we can make real progress in protecting our planet. It’s time for leaders, students, and communities to support these ideas and act.

                                   Self-Reflection

In completing this report, I have expanded my understanding of how nature-based solutions can play a significant role in addressing climate change. I used course knowledge such as how to create an effective thesis statement as well as doing effective research. I have learned that integrating natural processes into our climate strategy not only helps the environment but also supports communities and economies. Finalizing my report I had acknowledged that humans have done substantial damage to the earth in the past as well as the present. Acknowledging this I had realized that treating the planet that we call home as horrible as we do now is unbelievable. We should all strive for an effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly life.

Using course material such as the video to do effective research on how the Bronx River Alliance protecting the Bronx River is effective not only supporting the Bronx River in general but also supporting the ecosystem around the Bronx River. We can use our prior knowledge to know that the Bronx River is an effective source of water and possibly food for many animals nearby. The video had shown me that the Bronx River is in this case a nature based solution to Climate Change.

References

AP News. (2024). Urban communities that lack shade sizzle when it’s hot. Trees are a climate change solution.

Chausson, A., Turner, B., Seddon, D., Chabaneix, N., Girardin, C. A. J., Kapos, V., … & Seddon, N. (2020). Mapping the effectiveness of nature‐based solutions for climate change adaptation. Global Change Biology.

Planet Detroit. (2025). Detroit’s urban heat islands: Health and equity impact.

The Nature Conservancy. (2017). Nature’s potential to fight climate change