Nature-based Solutions may be a buzzword that is becoming ubiquitous in various spaces. However, do you know the NbS definition is quite vague? In this article, we will attempt to define the concept.

Various bodies have presented NbS definition. Some of the common definitions include:

• Actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use, and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems, which address social, economic, and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services and resilience and biodiversity benefits” (UNEA 2022).

PS: The UNEA definition is among the most commonly used definitions of NbS, but there are others as well, such as:

• Strategies to address societal challenges through actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems, benefiting people and nature at the same time”(IUCN)
• Solutions that are completely based on elements and direct inputs from nature, and are not managed by man or industrial elements
• Actions inspired by, or supported by, or copied from nature to face social, environmental, and economic challenges.

Barbara and Joan proceed to list 20 definitions of NbS definition and concepts.

NbS definitions are blurry and general to clearly indicate which solutions could termed as NbS. In many cases, the blurry nature emanates from the observation that NbS involves the integration of various scientific fields, and where various experts view it through the lens of their respective disciplines.

The natural environment provides a series of benefits to people. According to WWF, the services provided by the ecosystem can be categorized as:

• Support services- they provide conditions that allow the provision of other services. For instance, photosynthesis support primary production
• Provision services- these include the goods and services that we directly get from the environment. For instance, food and fiber.
• Regulation services- The capacity of ecosystems to regulate some processes such as air and water quality
• Cultural services- Ecosystems are part of the culture and heritage of the people.

However, many of the ecosystem services are seen as market externalities because of their public good character and open-access nature. As such, Neoclassical economics rarely factor in the decision-making of economic actors. Environmental economists champion commodification and valuation to internalize the externalities. Payment for Ecosystem (or Environmental) Services is one of the tools that is commonly used to commodify environmental services.  

veg monitoring 

Rangeland fires are ubiquitous in the African savannas, especially in the dry season. Livestock owners and range managers would start fires to promote the growth of good grass. In some cases, the fire could start from lightning or accidents. Regardless, the fires have been part of the African savannas for generations. For a long time, the fires have been considered as essential for the integrity of the savanna system. The question is whether the fires are a necessary management practice in the face of climate change and other environmental problems of the 21^st century.

Why should we strive to conserve biodiversity? I believe that If we do not, pathogens will find space to live among us. And when they do, our public health might be in danger. Hear me out.

No one knows the exact origins of coronavirus (Covid-19). Regardless, many people believe that it originated from Wuhan China, mainly because the first cases had linkages with a wet market in the area. Regardless, scientists know that the SARS-CoV-2 is common in bat populations. The virus somehow managed to infect humans. Like AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and some other infectious epidemics, the coronavirus is a zoonotic disease.

Think about it; the human body has trillions of microorganisms. How many more microorganisms exist within other plants and animals? I do not know, but I guess that it is undoubtedly more than quadrillions, or the next ‘llion’! And some of those microorganisms are pathogens, meaning that they cause diseases.

The concept of nature-based solutions (NBS) could be confusing and abstract. After all, from fossil fuels to plastics, humans have always relied on nature for development. Regardless, the European Union defines NBS as ‘actions which are inspired by, supported by or copied from nature.’ A more detailed article on NbS definition is also published in Silvica. An advantage of nature-based solutions is that they are ready to be deployed. We have outlined nature-based solutions examples in this post.

1.      Tree Growing

Growing trees is a solution to a myriad of contemporary challenges. Chief among them is mitigating the effects of climate change. Trees are plants, so they absorb carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis. Planting billions of trees around the world is one of the most practical ways of absorbing excessive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Scientists estimate that 1.7 billion hectares of current treeless lands have a potential for tree growth.  As a nature-based solution example, tree planting also assists in improving biodiversity, soil, air, and water quality.

2.      Renewable energy

The types of renewable energy that could be useful NBS include solar, wind, hydroelectricity, and biofuels power. The advantages of renewable energy are aplenty. For starters, renewable energy produces lesser emissions compared to fossil fuels. Additionally, renewable energy sources are flexible in the sense that they can be powered using local resources. The continuous maturation of the renewable energy sector means that the costs of renewables will keep decreasing with time.

3.      Beekeeping

As a nature-based solution example, beekeeping does tick most of the boxes. When evaluated against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), beekeeping can help achieve SDGs one, two, three, five, eight, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, and fifteen. The sad news is that bees are disappearing, yet they are vital components of our ecosystem. For instance, they are significant pollinators of flowering plants.

Have you ever watched the Silence of the Bees documentary? 

4.      Ecotourism

Is it possible for your travel to benefit the local community and the environment at the same time? Yes, it is! When you practice ecotourism, communities and conservation benefit. The International Ecotourism Society defines it as ‘responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the wellbeing of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.’ The problem is that there is a lot of greenwashing in ecotourism. Operators would offer mass tourism but market it as ecotourism. As a traveler, ensure that you do your research well.

Watch a video about Ecotourism 

5.      Payment for Ecosystem Services

Environmental services can be categorized into ecological goods, regulating services, supporting services, and cultural services. Presently, environmental benefits are undervalued or lack value in the financial realm. A central principle in PES is for the environmental services’ beneficiaries to ‘pay’ for the conservation of the same resources. Under PES schemes, farmers and landowners receive payments after implementing previously agreed actions that provide ecological services.

6.      Carbon financing (REDD+ projects)

Carbon financing is an example of PES. It is inevitable for companies to emit carbon into the atmosphere. Regardless, responsible emitters have the option of buying carbon credits from the voluntary markets in carbon financing. For instance, companies could purchase credits from verified REDD+ (reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) projects.

Deforestation is responsible for 15% of global greenhouse emissions; thus, stopping deforestation has a significant impact on the carbon equation. Remember, about 80% of above-ground terrestrial carbon stocks and 40% of soil carbon are in forest ecosystems.

7.      Protected areas

Protected areas are the backbone of biodiversity conservation. National parks, conservancies, reserves, ranches, and community conservation areas are among the most common types of protected areas. The coronavirus pandemic supports the idea of respecting and protecting biodiversity. We have the obligation of setting aside significant wilderness areas where biodiversity could thrive. If not, we may interact with dangerous pathogens as the biodiversity will attempt to survive amongst us.

8.      Avoid plastic products as such as possible.

Plastic is a bad boy of global pollution. As such, we should focus on choosing alternatives to plastic when possible or avoiding plastic altogether. Some plausible environment-friendly options include glass, stainless steel, natural fiber cloth, wood, and paper. It is difficult to completely do away with plastic because it lurks in a variety of products, including chewing gums, metal containers, food packaging, diapers, personal care products, cigarette filters, glue, and medical equipment.

9.      Restoring whale population

Surprisingly, whales conservation has an enormous impact on climate change. One whale absorbs up to 33,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide. In comparison, a tree absorbs up to 22 kgs of carbon a year. Moreover, phytoplanktons follow whales. More whales imply more phytoplankton, and phytoplanktons absorb as much as 40% of all carbon dioxide. 

10. Agroforestry

As the name suggests, agroforestry is a combination of agriculture and forestry. In other words, it involves the integration of trees and crops/livestock in the same land. There are plenty of reasons why a farmer would choose to add trees to his/her farming system. Chief among them is soil conservation and additional products from the trees. As one of the nature-based solutions examples, agroforestry is implementable in existing farming systems.

11. Green roofs

Green roofs refer to vegetation cover grown on rooftops. They are also called rooftop gardens or living roofs. The natural-based solution example is particularly relevant to urban dwellers. Green roofs help reduce energy costs as they insulate buildings. Moreover, they assist in reducing the runoff from storms or snows. A typical metropolitan area produces more than five times more runoff compared to a rural area. Green roofs make urban areas ‘less typical’.

12. Urban gardens and green spaces

Like green roofs, urban gardens and green spaces are nature-based solutions for towns and cities. Home gardens have the benefit of improving the food security of an area. According to the World Health Organization, urban green spaces reduce environmental hazards, improve the quality of life of the urban regions, and improve residents’ wellbeing.

13. Organic farming

Conventional agriculture has various adverse effects on the environment. For instance, the use of inorganic fertilizers harms groundwater and biodiversity. In contrast, organic farming reduces some of the negative impacts of modern agriculture as it involves growing crops with reduced or no fertilizer and other synthetic inputs. Consequently, organic farming is compatible with biodiversity conservation.

14. Green infrastructure

The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines green infrastructure as ‘the range of measures that use plant or soil systems, permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters.’ As such, measures such as green roofs and tree growing in urban areas fall under green infrastructure. Many forward-looking cities are implementing green infrastructure.

15. Green Economy

The end game for the nature-based solution is the transition to a green economy. The focus of a green economy is sustainable consumption and production, social inclusion, resource efficiency, and reduced emissions.

Watch this video to understand Green Economy better. 

Nature-based solutions present practical ways to deal with current environmental problems. However, NBS should complement other actions, not replace them. Policies re important in ensuring that we implement NBS. Regardless, the personal initiative could also enhance the implementation of a green economy. Ask yourself, ‘what natural-based solution examples can I implement to promote sustainable development?’