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NEWS: Coastal wetlands are unable to adapt to the rate of sea-level rise and are constrained by infrastructure

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Wetlands, precious ecosystems that shield coastlines, safeguard drinking water from saltwater contamination, and nourish diverse wildlife, face a dire threat from the accelerating pace of sea-level rise, driven by global warming. Wetlands have historically adapted to rising sea levels by expanding upward and inland. However, predictions indicate that the waterline will soon shift far too rapidly for wetlands to keep pace. Consequently, future decades may witness the tragic loss of these vital wetland ecosystems. Wetlands along coastlines have historically played valuable roles for people and wildlife, but are now facing the threat of sea-level rise. As temperatures rise, sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, and wetlands are unable to keep pace by building upward and migrating inland. This is due to human-induced climate change and the burning of fossil fuels, which has warmed the oceans and melted glaciers. Sea levels are now rising at about 10 millimeters per year, and are
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NEWS: ‘Nature knows best’ for infrastructure

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Nature-based solutions can protect communities from climate change, restore biodiversity, and create more resilient economies.

A report reveals that when nature-based solutions are combined with built infrastructure assets, they influence up to 95% of all UN Sustainable Development Goal targets. It also finds that nature-based infrastructure influences three of the four long-term goals and 70% of the 23 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework signed in Montreal in 2022.

The report, from the UN Environment Programme, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and University of Oxford finds that nature-based solutions greatly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that result from the construction and operation of conventional or "grey" infrastructure. They can protect communities from the impacts of climate change, restore biodiversity, and create more resilient economies.

Steven Crosskey, deputy director of UNOPS’ infrastructure and project management group said: "Decisions on infrastructure investments can determine our ability to tackle the triple planetary crises of climate, environment and biodiversity loss. Nature-based solutions provide both human and biodiversity benefits, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

The report calls for cross-sectoral collaboration by policymakers and practitioners to integrate nature into "mainstream" infrastructure planning and design, more data on the long-term performance of nature-based infrastructure, and the development of innovative financing models that can support it.

The Global Infrastructure Hub estimates that meeting the global demand for services by 2040 will require almost $100tr of investment in sustainable infrastructure.

Case study examples of nature in action:

• Managing vegetation naturally under transmission lines in Belgium, has increased biodiversity and will reduce maintenance costs by 1.5 to 4 times over a 30-year period;

• Restoring shoreline coral reefs and mangroves has helped to provide flood protection and livelihood opportunities for more than 8,600 people in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and

• Green roofs have doubled the lifespan of roofs at Chicago O’Hare airport, reducing the need for repair and replacement. 

The source for this hardhatNEWS article is Environment Analyst

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