Inquiry Blog Post #5: ” How do human efforts & attempts to fix nature compare to letting nature heal itself? “

Hi there! This is my fifth inquiry blog post. In this blog post, I will address the third step of research surrounding my inquiry question: “How do human efforts & attempts to fix nature compare to letting nature heal itself? “

My step 3 of research: Find expert opinions on nature-based solutions and scientific studies 

Experts and scientific studies say that nature-based solutions (Nbs) are a great way to help the environment while also solving environmental challenges such as floods, heat waves, and climate change. Dr. Baolong Han, a scientist from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, says that NbS are being recognized for their benefits in carbon sequestration, water conservation, and recreational opportunities. (1) However, he also states the challenges like the lack of quantification tools to measure these benefits and misconceptions when comparing NbS to traditional “grey infrastructure.” (1) Supporting this claim, a global assessment led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that NbS are “economically effective” in mitigating hazards like floods and heatwaves, as 71% of the studies made confirm their cost-effectiveness. (2)  

In addition, a 2023 article written by the International Union for Conservation of Nature further points out that Nbs not only helps with environmental issues but also supports a community’s well-being and buodiversity. (3) According to IUCN experts, successful Nbs projects involve scientists, governments, and local communities collaborating with one another. (3) This helps create solutions that are more sustainable in the long term. (3)  

Furthermore, from the article: Frontiers in Environmental Science, researchers argued that nature-based solutions can offer long-term and self-sustaining recovery for ecosystems. (3) This article shows how nature can “heal itself” when given the right conditions. For example, coastal wetlands could be restored after hurricanes and reforestation could happen after wildfires. (3) The researchers really emphasize that working with nature rather than trying to control or replace it often helps lead to more successful endings. (3) This supports the idea that letting nature heal by itself, with some little guidance from science, can perhaps be more effective than human-made fixes.  

References:  

1. The Expert Voice on Nature Based Solutions – UN WCMC (April 2023) https://www.unep-wcmc.org/en/news/the-expert-voice-on-nature-based-solutions 

2. Research finds Nature-Based Solutions more cost effective Than Engineering-Based Solutions – Frank Carini (July 29, 2024) https://ecori.org/research-finds-nature-based-solutions-more-cost-effective-than-engineering-based-solutions/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

3. Nature-based Solutions – IUCN (2023) https://iucn.org/our-work/nature-based-solutions 

4. Nature-based solutions for post-disaster recovery – Frontiers in Environmental Science (2022) https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.905767/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

Thank you for reading!