Communities nationwide need easy ways to learn about what is possible with nature-based solutions. For many, sandy toes and lilting butterflies seem far removed from the realities of flooded homes, eroding coasts and dying crops – but they are not. Many people think of nature on weekends or vacations, or not at all. Significant challenges to deploying and scaling up nature-based solutions remain. On farms, in forests, along coasts and in transportation systems, these investments will reduce the risk of fires, floods, heat waves, and storms, and strengthen communities. Historic investments within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act provide a major push toward progress via more than $42 billion in funding to support nature-based solutions. It is high time for nature-based solutions to be used and scaled as critical tools in the fight against climate change, nature loss and inequity. These solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural or modified ecosystems to address societal challenges. Deep knowledge, science, and experience have yielded a wide variety of nature-based solutions. The good news is that we actually have a largely untapped, but nonetheless powerful, set of solutions at hand: nature. There should be no doubt that we need to act aggressively to deploy all possible solutions for these three interconnected challenges. And a third crisis – an inequitable world – amplifies the urgency. Global leaders meet this week at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Conference of the Parties (COP27), and next month at the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) because humanity is fighting for our future against climate change and nature loss. Yes, nature seeds our lives with splendor and awe, but constantly – often quietly – does so much more. Have you walked along a farm field and watched a butterfly skimming the sea of green? Beyond that moment of beauty, nature’s pollinators add food to tables and profits to crops. When the next coastal storm rolls in, they will act as speed bumps for storm surge, slowing and dampening incoming waves and reducing damage onshore. But those dunes do much more than build fond memories. Have you ever run down a towering dune during a beach weekend? You might head home with some great memories and sand between your toes. Jane Lubchenco, Deputy Director for Climate and the Environment Get Involved Show submenu for “Get Involved””īy Heather Tallis, Assistant Director for Biodiversity and Conservation Sciences.The White House Show submenu for “The White House””.Office of the United States Trade Representative.Office of Science and Technology Policy.Executive Offices Show submenu for “Executive Offices””.Administration Show submenu for “Administration””.

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