Nature Based Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation
Coastal risks are growing rapidly from climate change and development. The costs of natural disasters are rising dramatically. Nature-based Solutions (NBS) play a critical role in reducing the economic and social costs of climate change.
CCCR researchers focus on a wide variety of Nature-based Solutions. In our work, we Assess Risks, Value Nature’s Benefits in reducing these risks, and use these measures to Identify Incentives to invest in these habitats to benefit People and Nature.
Our work has shown that natural systems – like wetlands (such as salt & freshwater marshes, mangroves) and reefs (such as rocky reefs, oyster reefs, coral reefs) – act as vital first lines of defense against flooding and erosion provide measurable social and economic benefits.
We work with partners to quantify the value of NBS as an essential step towards making the case for greater investment in conservation and restoration, including:
- The World Bank to account for nature in national economics.
- Insurers to create policies that protect nature.
- Engineers to design hybrid approaches that combine built infrastructure with ecosystem restoration.
- Federal and tribal managers to conserve and restore fisheries that are essential to local economies and cultural heritage.
- Policy makers, to recognize nature as natural infrastructure.
Explore our team’s research and contributions that are advancing our understanding of NBS:
CCCR co-leads the NAS National Practice Forum on Nature Based Solutions with NAS.
We support the Klamath Dam removal.
Protecting ecosystem health will help avoid escalating risks to economic stability and human health.
We use an understanding of evolution to help restore kelp forests.
Our works shows how Elkhorn Slough restoration can be used for carbon storage.
We value the benefits of SF Bay marsh restoration for flood mitigation.
