Cost-Effective Nature-Based Solutions for Disaster Mitigation
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Chapter 1: The Importance of Nature-Based Solutions
Investing in nature-based solutions (NbS) has been shown to be both economically wise and beneficial for reducing disaster risks while offering long-term environmental and socio-economic advantages.
After leaving my position as a university professor and prior to my entry into the public sector, I was fortunate to contribute to a non-profit organization focused on preserving the Amazon and its rich ecosystems. Like many NGOs today, our mission was to design initiatives that empower indigenous communities in the Amazon to cultivate sustainable economies while safeguarding their natural resources.
However, the task was fraught with challenges. Local populations were eager to establish sustainable economies that would grant them access to essential educational and healthcare services. Unfortunately, some local entities engaged in illegal, lucrative activities that fostered deforestation and pollution, hindering the potential for future economic development.
Yet, perhaps our greatest obstacle was the prevailing skepticism. It’s not just that these economic activities are complex to design; external stakeholders often struggle to comprehend their actual environmental benefits. Are these initiatives genuinely beneficial to nature? Do they provide greater advantages than more destructive practices in the long term?
Fortunately, research has offered some clarity, with a dedicated team exploring these vital questions.
Section 1.1: Research Findings on NbS
As climate change and the biodiversity crisis escalate, identifying effective strategies to mitigate their impacts has become increasingly urgent. A recent investigation led by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has provided strong evidence that NbS are both effective and cost-efficient in alleviating disaster risks.
This study counters the skepticism of some climate change critics who claim that investments in NbS are wasteful. But what methodology did the authors use to arrive at their conclusions?
The research team conducted an extensive global review of over 20,000 peer-reviewed studies published from 2000 to 2021. These studies evaluated the economic impact of NbS on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). The objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of NbS in comparison to traditional engineering solutions, as well as to uncover their additional ecological and socio-economic benefits.
The results are encouraging. NbS, which involve the preservation, sustainable management, or restoration of ecosystems, were consistently identified as cost-effective in mitigating various hazards. Specifically, 71% of the reviewed studies deemed NbS a reliable method for hazard mitigation, with 24% noting their cost-effectiveness under certain conditions. Notably, mangroves, forests, and coastal ecosystems emerged as the most frequently cited effective NbS, achieving success rates of 80%, 77%, and 73%, respectively.
The first video titled "Can NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS protect cities from CLIMATE CHANGE?" explores how these strategies can safeguard urban areas from climate impacts.
Section 1.2: Comparing NbS to Engineering Solutions
When NbS are compared to engineering solutions, the findings are striking. “65% of studies concluded that NbS consistently outperform engineering solutions in mitigating hazards,” said Dr. Marta Vicarelli, the lead author of the study. Additionally, 26% found NbS to be partially more effective, while no study indicated that NbS were less effective than engineering alternatives.
These insights challenge the notion that investing in NbS is futile. Rather, evidence suggests that NbS represent a financially prudent investment, yielding significant returns in disaster risk mitigation. In other words, when factoring in all economic aspects, they offer a high return on investment.
Furthermore, one of the main advantages of NbS is their capacity to deliver multiple benefits beyond simply mitigating hazards. These benefits include improvements in air and soil quality, enhanced biodiversity, and support for local communities, particularly those that are underserved.
The second video, "Untangled: Nature-Based Solutions," delves into the various dimensions and applications of NbS in addressing environmental challenges.
Chapter 2: The Need for Comprehensive Assessments
However, the additional benefits of NbS are often overlooked because they are challenging to quantify. “How do we assign value to improvements in air quality or soil health?” asks Vicarelli. “What about the protection of endangered species or the overall increase in biodiversity post-implementation of NbS?”
While these benefits may manifest in the long run, they are not always evident or straightforward to measure, complicating the assessment process. Despite these hurdles, the study underscores the necessity for thorough evaluations that capture the complete range of NbS benefits. By doing so, we can better recognize their true value and make more informed decisions regarding their implementation.
As the world grapples with increasing environmental challenges, investing in NbS offers a promising path forward. While they are not a panacea, they address immediate threats posed by natural disasters and contribute to long-term ecological sustainability and socio-economic resilience, which are critically needed at this time.
Moving ahead, it is imperative to support and expand these solutions through innovative financing and comprehensive evaluations that fully account for their diverse benefits. Doing so will aid in building a more resilient and sustainable future for all, grounded in scientific evidence.