Supporting local biodiversity doesn’t require big gestures — just the right spaces.
A nesting box is a home, a shelter, and a starting point. 🐦🌱
https://curiousgoblin.etsy.com/listing/4445337235
#biodiversity #rewildingcities #urbanwildlife #naturebased #habitatcreation #wildlifehabitat #ecofriendly #planetcare #climateaction #naturecommunity #birdwatching #birdhabitat #birdlife #birdconservation #mosstodon #buyeuropean #buyfromeu #etsy #woodworking #3dprinting
How #NatureBased Solutions Can Help Tackle #AntimicrobialResistance
by Paula Pérez González-Anguiano Europe Mar 17th 20254 mins
"In many European countries, antimicrobial resistance genes are present in #wastewater treatment plants, particularly in water coming from hospitals. In most cases, these plants are not designed to eliminate these genes, allowing them to pollute rivers and eventually reach homes. Antibiotics and resistance genes used to fertilize fields also make their way into aquatic ecosystems via livestock manure.
"A global survey published in Nature in 2024 revealed that drug-resistant infections killed more individuals than Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or malaria. It is estimated that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance (#AMR) – which occurs when bacteria and fungi evolve to withstand the drugs meant to eliminate them, allowing infections to persist and become difficult or even impossible to treat – could cause up to 10 million deaths. This is comparable to the number of deaths caused by cancer in 2020.
"Nature-based solutions are strategies that involve working with nature to address societal challenges, providing benefits for both human well-being and biodiversity. Examples include reforestation to absorb carbon and prevent erosion, wetland restoration for water filtration and flood control, green roofs to cool cities and reduce pollution, mangrove protection to protect coasts, and agroforestry to enhance soil health and crop yields. These solutions improve biodiversity, water quality, and disaster risk while also boosting human well-being through cleaner air and greener spaces.
"Wastewater from urban treatment plants contains #biofilm – mainly bacteria and microalgae – as well as planktonic communities that absorb antibiotic-resistance genes and mobile genetic elements. Biofilm naturally forms on stones in the water and helps purify it by breaking down these contaminants.
"Inspired by this natural process, researchers from BETA Technological Centre in Catalonia, Spain, have developed a lab-based pilot-scale system as a nature-based solution. In the plant, wastewater is recirculated in a bioreactor, allowing biofilm and planktonic communities to grow. Within a few days, the water is purified. This low-cost approach is particularly suitable for small-town treatment plants. The bioreactor would be placed at the plant’s outlet, where nutrient levels support biofilm growth, serving as a tertiary water treatment step.
"The European Union-funded SURE-AMR project is also looking at ways to tackle AMR with nature-based solutions in regions like Ukraine. The Eastern European country is facing a growing AMR problem exacerbated by war. Now, The European Union is confronting a growing challenge with Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which is being further exacerbated by the war in neighboring Ukraine.
"The project started in October 2024 with Ukraine as leader and other partner institutions in Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain. Among the solutions assessed in the initiative are duckweed bioreactors in the outlet of a water treatment plant. Duckweed is an aquatic plant capable of removing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, bacteria, and antibiotic residues from water.
"The second solution assessed, as a second stage of water purification, mimics a river ecosystem with biofilm channels and snails. Biofilms feed on contaminants like AMR genes, reducing their presence in water. Snails contribute by feeding on excess biofilm, preventing overgrowth, and consuming organic debris and algae, further refining the purification process. The process finishes with constructed wetlands for final purification.
"This approach reduces operational costs, making water treatment more accessible in resource-limited areas. It also enhances climate resilience and strengthens ecosystems by developing natural infrastructures (duckweed bioreactors and biofilm channels) that protect water sources, while addressing AMR to protect public health and prevent transmission."
Read more:
https://earth.org/how-nature-based-solutions-can-help-tackle-antimicrobial-resistance/
#SolarPunkSunday #WaterTreatment #AntimicrobialResistance #NatureBasedSolutions
Nature-Based Solutions As Building Blocks For Coastal Flood Risk Reduction - A Model-Based Ecosystem Service Assessment
--
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95230-4 <-- shared paper
--
#GIS #spatial #mapping #naturebased #naturebasedsolutions #NbS #flood #flooding #model #modeling #ecosystem #assessment #floodrisk #risk #hazard #climatechange #adaption #extremeweather #stormsurge #mitigation #metrics #quantitative #hydrogeomorphic #geomorphology #geomorphometry #ecohydromorphodynamic #modular #habitat #storm #sealevelrise #SLT #Sicily #coast #coastal #barriers #mangrove #vegetation
"Projects rooted in #NatureBased solutions are gaining momentum in sub-Saharan #Africa.
These natural systems can build #resilience against hazards like flooding, heat or drought. Critically, they often also produce additional benefits for communities — such as creating jobs, boosting farm yields, increasing incomes, protecting #biodiversity and more."
https://www.wri.org/insights/nature-based-climate-solutions-sub-saharan-africa
🌿☔️ Interested in how cities can combat urban flooding naturally? Explore the "Sponge City" concept, which uses nature-based strategies to improve urban water management.
Dive into the details here: https://climatesolutions.news/spotlight/the-sponge-city-concept-a-natural-solution-to-urban-flooding
#EnvironmentalTech #UrbanFlooding #EcoSolutions #NatureBased
Guest post: The conflicting practices in using land to tackle climate change #ClimateChange #carbonsequestration #naturebased #emissions #biodiversity #Agriculture https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-the-conflicting-practices-in-using-land-to-tackle-climate-change/
#Solarpunk and #Indigenous Perspectives: A Call for Community and #NatureBased Approaches
Incorporating Indigenous perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge into Solarpunk can promote a more community and nature-based approach to #sustainability and #RenewableEnergy, and address key social and #environmental challenges in an ethical and just way.
by Mediocre-Horse-2350, 2022
"Solarpunk is a cultural movement that envisions a positive future where sustainability and renewable energy are at the forefront of society, and social structures are reimagined to create a more equitable and just world. But Solarpunk has yet to fully incorporate Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing, despite their potential to contribute valuable insights and solutions to contemporary environmental and political challenges. This essay will explore the benefits of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into Solarpunk, explain how this can shift our focus towards a more community and nature-based approach, and address key problems in modern society.
"Indigenous perspectives on nature differ greatly from Western perspectives, which often view humans as separate from and above nature. In contrast, a lot of Indigenous worldviews typically understand humans as equal to and a part of the natural world. This perspective emphasizes the importance of community and connection to the environment and recognizes the interdependence of all living beings. Incorporating these perspectives into Solarpunk can help shift the focus away from individualistic and exploitative approaches to the environment and towards a more community-based and regenerative approach.
"One way in which Solarpunk can incorporate Indigenous perspectives is through the use of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). TEK encompasses Indigenous knowledge and practices related to ecological management and can offer valuable insights into sustainable and regenerative practices.
"For example, traditional land management practices such as prescribed burning have been shown to reduce the risk of wildfires and promote biodiversity. Incorporating TEK into Solarpunk can lead to more effective and holistic approaches to sustainability and renewable energy. (Here is an example of traditional land management through prescribed burning, which has been used for thousands of years by Indigenous communities.)
"Another way in which Solarpunk can benefit from Indigenous perspectives is through the recognition of Indigenous sovereignty and land rights. Indigenous communities have often been at the forefront of environmental and social justice movements, fighting for their right to self-determination and protection of their land and resources. Incorporating these struggles and perspectives into Solarpunk can promote a more just and equitable society, where Indigenous communities are recognized and respected.
"Incorporating Indigenous perspectives into not Solarpunk not only enriches the genre, but also offers a new way of looking at our relationship with the natural world. By acknowledging the inherent value of nature and the interconnectedness of all living beings, we can begin to shift away from the exploitative mindset that has led to so many of the ecological and social problems we face today. This approach aligns with Indigenous ways of knowing, which recognize that humans are not separate from nature, but rather a part of it. By centering community and nature-based approaches in Solarpunk, we can address key problems such as climate change, environmental degradation, social inequality, and colonialism, and move towards a more sustainable and just future.
"One potential challenge in incorporating Indigenous perspectives into Solarpunk is the risk of cultural appropriation and tokenization. It is important to acknowledge and respect the sovereignty and agency of Indigenous communities and not simply use their perspectives and knowledge for the benefit of non-indigenous individuals or groups. This means engaging in meaningful and respectful collaboration with Indigenous communities, listening to their perspectives, and ensuring that they have agency and control over how their knowledge is used and shared. By centering Indigenous sovereignty and respecting Indigenous knowledge, Solarpunk can move towards a more ethical and just approach to sustainability and renewable energy.
"In conclusion, incorporating Indigenous perspectives into Solarpunk can lead to a more holistic and community-based approach to sustainability and renewable energy. By recognizing the importance of community and connection to the environment, and incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and Indigenous sovereignty, Solarpunk can offer solutions to contemporary and environmental and social challenges. By promoting collective well-being and prioritizing regenerative practices, Solarpunk can lead us towards a more equitable and just future."
#SolarPunkSunday #TEK #TraditionalKnowledge #TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge #PostColonialism #EnvironmentalJustice #SocialJustice #PostCapitalist #Sovereignty #LandBack #IndigenousPeoplesDay
‘’Agroecology, Organic, Regenerative, Nature-based: a conversation on food systems sustainability framings’’ 💡
What are the differences and synergies between these concepts and frameworks, and how can they contribute to transforming our food systems?
📅 3 September 2024
🕓 2:00 PM
📝 Register here 👉
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T-b9Ncf_RSaEFPB2LR0k8Q#/registration
📽 Live streaming link 👉
https://www.youtube.com/live/lwEOUhyfCi4
#agroecology #organic #regenerative #naturebased #foodsystems #permaculture #permacultura #agroforestry #agrofloresta
#Flooding is a challenge affecting everything from economic security, to drinking water & the pursuit of truth & reconciliation. #Canada must adapt to the urgent risks posed by worsening floods. Luckily, numerous pathways exist for individual #Canadians to engage in #CollectiveActions to protect ourselves & our communities.
#ClimateChange is shifting how water moves through landscapes both in our #communities & around the globe. #Information & #awareness is key in this world of changing conditions. However, a 2022 #audit of #FloodRisk preparedness in #Ontario reported that public awareness of personal flood risk & #liability is poor across the province.
Many Canadians are just one bad storm away from an unmitigated watery #disaster. Floods are the most expensive & most frequent type of #NaturalHazard in Canada. An analysis of #insurance solutions for flood risk found that current residential flood risk in Canada is estimated at $2.9 billion per year.
#NatureBased #CommunityDriven #solutions have huge potential to address gaps in #infrastructure, promote resilience & build #ecological knowledge—often at a much reduced cost than traditional hard solutions like seawalls or embankments.
#GreenInfrastructure can also be highly effective along #watercourses where, once established, vegetation helps to filter surface #pollutants, stabilize #erosion & prevent surges of water from spilling over.
https://phys.org/news/2024-07-nature-based-solutions-effective.html
#CDNpoli #ClimateAction #ClimateCrisis #NatureBasedSolutions #ProtectGreenspaces #SaveGreenbelts #CreateGreenspaces #GreenSolutions
"Schmitz said the team had looked at nine species in detail, including tropical forest elephants, musk oxen and sea otters, and had begun to investigate others. He added: “Many of them show similar promise to these #bison, often doubling an ecosystem’s capacity to draw down and store #carbon, and sometimes much more. This really is a policy option with massive potential.”"
If you believe in #naturebased #daycare and want to help raise future #NatureLovers, this place is the REAL DEAL! #WeeFolk #WeeFolkFarm is an amazing nature based #education
If you can give some money, you will #payitforward, I guarantee you will win mega #karma points, both my kids went here and these renovations will help dozens of families experience the magic of #WeeFolkFarm
Behind the Paper "Developing countries can adapt to climate change effectively using nature-based solutions"
#Naturebased solutions (#NbS) are effectively contributing to #climatechange #adaptation, producing multiple co-benefits among #climaterisk related and broader development outcomes. Policy makers should expand funding for NbS when dealing with shocks and stressors and increasing adaptive capacities.
New publication is out:
Developing countries can adapt to climate change effectively using nature-based solutions
Springer Nature: Communications Earth & Environment volume 5, Article number: 214 (2024)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01356-0
--
#Evidence #SystematicReview #ClimateChangeAdaptation #Adaptation #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Climate #Coast #Agriculture #NatureBasedSolutions #NatureBased #NbS #DevelopingCountries #SocialRiskManagement
https://lowcontentplrprintables.com/shop/21-days-of-nature-based-art-plr-journal/ #plrjournaltempaltes #journaltemplates #Plrjournal #Plrjournalpages #acupofzen #gabbyconde #printablejournal #printablejournaltemplates #printablejournalpages #digitalpages #plrdigitalpages #doneforyouplr #plrprintables #printondemandplr #naturebased #art #watercolorart #journalprompts #prompts #journalcovers 21 Days of Nature Based Art PLR Journal
Living shorelines gain ground around the Chesapeake Bay but face hurdles
The annual #finance gap for #naturebased solutions is estimated at USD 230 billion in 2025, increasing to USD 520 billion by 2050.
https://indianf.com/unep-finance-nature-2022/#:~:text=%C2%A0The%20annual%20finance%20gap%20for%20nature%2Dbased%20solutions%20is%20estimated%20at%20USD%20230%20billion%20in%202025%2C%20increasing%20to%20USD%20520%20billion%20by%202050.
Global #financial flows to #naturebased solutions amount to USD 154 billion annually, less than half of what is required to address the triple planetary crisis.
https://indianf.com/unep-finance-nature-2022/#:~:text=Global%20financial%20flows%20to%20nature%2Dbased%20solutions%20amount%20to%20USD%20154%20billion%20annually%2C%20less%20than%20half%20of%20what%20is%20required%20to%20address%20the%20triple%20planetary%20crisis.
#NatureBased solutions: very promising, but the devil is in the details.
“How do we ensure that nature-based solutions support thriving human societies and ecosystems without compromising efforts to keep #FossilFuels in the ground?”
And how to do it equitably?
Overview of diverse voices at the three-day Nature-based Solutions Conference.
Public beach stewards bracing for ‘obvious destruction' of rising seas
NBC story on Massachusetts:
Happy to finally see Emerald Tutus in the wild! Here are prototypes for the experimental floating wetlands, anchored off East Boston's Piers Park I.
