They offer pathways to address the climate and biodiversity crises and various socio environmental challenges
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are actions inspired by, supported by, and replicated from nature, designed to address environmental, social, and economic goals simultaneously. They are planned and developed to protect, sustainable manage, and restore ecosystems, resources and environmental services. These solutions can be applied to both natural ecosystems and human-made ones, such as cities. In these varied, diverse contexts, Nature-based Solutions provide value for both biodiversity and society.
Marcela Pyles, Ph.D. in Applied Ecology and Carbon Projects Coordinator at Biomas explains that “Nature-based Solutions are strategies that seek to conserve or enhance ecosystem services, contributing to climate change mitigation and the safety of communities facing extreme climate crises. The solutions provide social benefits like food security, access to energy, sanitation, education, health, and income generation.
Ecosystem Restoration: A Key Nature Based Solution to address climate and biodiversity crises.
Biomas’ activities and mission align with an important Nature Based Solution that contributes to climate change mitigation and avoids the continuous biodiversity reduction: Ecological Restoration.
Ecological restoration can be defined as a combination of actions that restore original conditions and functions of an ecosystem that was altered or degraded, and these efforts are especially important in areas with high levels of biological biodiversity that have been harmed by human activity. When applied on a large scale, this NbS helps protect the soil and biodiversity, strengthen the local and regional economies, and support community development. Other benefits include restored areas that improve water quality and availability, restore soil fertility, and aid in the mitigation of climate change.
Nature-based Solutions Can Help Brazil Solve Major Climate Challenges
Brazil currently has a large number of degraded and abandoned natural areas, coupled with ongoing threats to its extensive forest cover due to deforestation. In this context, solutions like ecosystem regeneration are viable alternatives to balance environment preservation and economic development while positioning Brasil as a global leader in Nature-based climate Solutions.
… But First, We Need to Regularize Properties and Produce Knowledge
These are just a few examples that demonstrate how Brazil has potential to be a global leader in the application of Nature-based climate Solutions. No other country has the continental size of Brazil, the amount of biomes, or the vast biodiversity that this country does. That said, to recuperate natural areas on a large scale, the country needs to address some structural challenges first: “one of the biggest challenges is land regularization. A lot of areas suited for NbS implementation are not regularized, which makes the process more difficult. Additionally, we do not have much local research and often rely on international studies” notes Marcela Pyles.
Working So Brazil Can Consolidate Its Leadership in Nature Based Climate Solutions is a Goal Associated With the Very Existence of Biomas
Biomas is part of an innovative moment in the private sector, dedicated to creating a powerful ecological restoration industry in Brazil. These companies create new funding mechanisms, scientific knowledge, income resources, paths for development, all while leveraging Brazil’s unique capacities in this field.
Contributing to Brazil’s position as a global leader in Nature-based Solutions is a strategic agenda focused on the containment of climate changes that go well beyond business parameters. This agenda is a reflection of urgent societal needs and faith in the future; it’s representative of the deep social and ethical commitment to restoring ecosystems and sharing information and scientific knowledge with all who seek to follow this path.