Our planet is facing rapid climate change because nature cannot keep up with human activities. All around us are natural ways of dealing with these changes. He caused the current climate crisis the rapid process of burning carbon that has been stored in the earth for millions of years in the form of fossil fuels. Ecosystems have so far helped to mitigate the effects of this huge release of carbon dioxide. The oceans have absorbed significant amounts of heat, and forests, wetlands, grasslands and seaweeds retain large amounts of carbon from the air. Yet we are seeing rapid climate change because nature is not keeping up with us. We can take two steps to help nature and ourselves: protect and restore ecosystems so that they continue to provide essential protective and ecological services, and integrate nature into the solutions we put in place to halt and adapt to climate change.

We identified eight types of natural solutions – in agroecosystems, integrated wetlands, urban greening projects, rivers, peatlands, forests, wetlands and marine systems. These systems provide many benefits to people, such as carbon sequestration, reducing water runoff, protecting coastlines, pollinating, controlling pests and increasing soil fertility. Some of these solutions are already finding their way into new projects. Sustainable urban drainage systems, for example, offer different ways to slow down stormwater so it can seep into the ground instead of overloading sewer systems.

Natural solutions are widely used on farms. Organic farms use methods such as cover crops and nitrogen-fixing plants instead of chemical fertilizers. More intensive farms can apply natural solutions at least in part, for example by creating hedges that support climate balance, biodiversity and help people. These include benefits for pollinators, which are important for many crops and ecosystems, as well as protection from pests.

Natural solutions are a relatively new concept, and their benefits may not yet be fully appreciated. Some solutions have well-documented effectiveness, while others require further research to clarify their functionality. Implementing these solutions requires deep knowledge of engineering, ecology, and public acceptance. We need to invest heavily in research to support their effectiveness and resilience. (Co2AI)