Mangrove Trees in the Sundarban forest. Picture by V Malik, CC BY-SA 2.0

Give Nature the Chance it Deserves

Wednesday November 29 2023

Ahead of the COP28 climate conference, Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackadu of the Church of South India highlights the importance of investment in natural solutions.

As COP28 approaches, the world looks to Dubai as the next stage for meaningful climate negotiations and collective action in the ongoing battle against climate change.

Transitioning to clean energy sources is an imperative step in maintaining a safe climate, but this goal cannot be fully realised without substantial investments in nature. Natural habitats can sequester and store significant amounts of carbon. By protecting, restoring and enhancing the management of our lands and wetlands, we could potentially achieve one-third of the emission reductions required to curb global warming and safeguard the climate.

Nature also proves to be a formidable ally in our efforts to adapt to the changing climate. Habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves and wetlands play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of storms, floods, and erosion, offering crucial protection to coastal communities. Integrating nature into urban landscapes can reduce the risks associated with heatwaves and provide a natural means to manage floodwaters.

Investing in nature not only yields cleaner air and water but also enhances the health of agricultural soil, among a myriad of other benefits that extend to both people and wildlife.

Despite their cost-effectiveness, these solutions currently receive only a fraction of available climate funding. Nature-based solutions are readily accessible, economically viable, and scalable to meet diverse needs, making them a universally applicable approach that every country can adopt.

The Great Green Wall is an ambitious African project to combat desertification, land degradation, and climate change. It involves planting a massive band of trees and vegetation across the Sahel region, a semi-arid zone south of the Sahara Desert. The restored land of the Great Green Wall will absorb as much CO2 as keeping all of California’s cars parked for three and a half years.

In Niger, local farmers have taken the initiative to engage in reforestation efforts, planting trees, managing existing forests, and working to restore and conserve the local natural environment. This means there are more trees and vegetation in the area, which can have a range of positive effects including soil stabilisation, increased biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.

Medelin, a city in Colombia, implemented several strategies to reduce temperatures and improve its urban environment, including transforming concrete urban areas into urban forests. By zoning and developing the city in a way that encourages the presence of vegetation, they were able to reduce the prevalence of heat-absorbing surfaces. Urban forests cool the environment and make the city more attractive and liveable.

Bangladesh has been a focal point for the adverse impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels, increased frequency of cyclones, and extreme weather events have intensified the vulnerability of this nation. However, Bangladesh’s extensive mangrove forests have emerged as an unsung hero in mitigating the consequences of climate change. The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, offer a sanctuary for a wide array of biodiversity but also provide a critical defence against cyclones. In addition, they sequester carbon at an impressive rate. The lessons learned from Bangladesh’s experience serve as a poignant reminder of the crucial need to protect and restore natural ecosystems for the benefit of both local communities and the planet.

We cannot limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C without natural climate solutions. And if we don’t act on nature now, nature’s ability to protect humanity will diminish even more. The good news is nature is forgiving, and it’s time we gave it the chance it deserves.

Prof Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackadu is an Indian environmental scientist, writer and activist. He is advisor to the Department of Ecological Concerns in the Church of South India, a Church of Scotland partner.

This article first appeared in a longer form in People's Reporter.