Using Nature to Reduce Climate and Disaster Risks
This guide explores how natural infrastructure—such as wetlands, reefs, and forests—can reduce risks from storms, flooding, and sea level rise. It highlights cost‑effective, nature‑based solutions that enhance coastal resilience and support climate adaptation planning for communities.
Subject Tags
- Climate resilience
- Coastal
- Climate adaptation
Summary
This guide examines how natural infrastructure can reduce risks from climate change and natural disasters, including storms, flooding, and sea level rise. It highlights the protective role of ecosystems such as coral reefs, oyster reefs, wetlands, floodplains, and forests in absorbing wave energy, reducing erosion, and mitigating flood impacts. The guide emphasizes that nature‑based solutions can complement traditional engineered defenses, offering cost‑effective and sustainable approaches to risk reduction. It also presents evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of these natural systems in protecting communities, infrastructure, and economies. By integrating ecological data with decision‑making tools, the guide supports planners, policymakers, and stakeholders in identifying where and how to apply these solutions. Overall, it promotes a balanced approach to climate adaptation that combines natural and built infrastructure to enhance resilience and reduce long‑term risks.