This book provides a systematic review of nature-based solutions and their potential to address current environmental challenges.
In the 21st century, society is faced by rapid urbanisation and population growth, degradation and loss of natural capital and associated ecosystem services, an increase in natural disaster risks, and climate change. With growing recognition of the need to work with ecosystems to resolve these issues there is now a move towards nature-based solutions, which involve utilising nature’s ecosystem to solve societal challenges while providing multiple co-benefits. This book systematically reviews nature-based solutions from a public policy angle, assessing policy developments which encourage the implementation of nature-based solutions to address societal challenges while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. This includes enhancing sustainable urbanisation, restoring degraded ecosystems, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and reducing risks from natural disasters. While nature-based solutions can be applied strategically and equitably to help societies address a variety of climatic and non-climatic challenges, there is still a lack of understanding on how best to implement them. The book concludes by providing a best practice guide for those aiming to turn societal challenges into opportunities.
This book will be of great interest to policymakers, practitioners and researchers involved in nature-based solutions, sustainable urban planning, environmental management, and sustainable development generally.
1: Introduction
2: Nature-Based Solutions to Societal Challenges
3: Societal Challenges
4: Climate Change Impacts on Habitats, Plants, and Animals
5: Environmental Degradation and Impacts on Biodiversity
6: Climate Change and Environmental Degradation Impacts on People and the Economy
7: Developing Climate Change Mitigation
8: Developing Climate Change Adaptation
9: Restoring Degraded Ecosystems
10: Enhancing Sustainable Urbanisation
11: Improving Disaster Risk Management and Resilience
12: Adaptive Management and Nature-Based Solutions
13: Financing Nature-Based Solutions
14: Best Practices and Conclusions
Biography
Robert C. Brears is Founder of Our Future Water, Mitidaption, and Mark and Focus. He is the author of five books, including Climate Resilient Water Resources Management (2018) and Blue and Green Cities (2018).
