Nature can provide us with solutions to many of the world’s environmental and social challenges, particularly those caused or worsened by changing climate extremes. 

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For example, we can plant vegetation in urban areas to support local cooling. We can restore vegetation along rivers, wetlands and in mountains to reduce floods. We can restore coastal wetlands to protect against storms and sea level rise. We can use agroforestry and agricultural diversification to buffer crops from extreme weather. 

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Called by many names, nature-based solutions are actions and interventions related to landscape and ecosystem protection, restoration, sustainable management and design. They typically take a blended approach to address multiple societal challenges simultaneously, including climate change adaptation and mitigation, social and economic development, water and food security, and disaster risk reduction. 

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But despite their value and potential, we don’t yet know how to scale nature-based solutions in ways that are equitable and effective, especially given climate change. We also don’t yet know how to use nature-based solutions to simultaneously achieve both local and planetary resilience. 

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Through research, capacity building and knowledge translation, and in award-winning ways, the Nature, People and Climate Lab is tackling these knowledge gaps.