Be Climate-Change Ready With Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Strategies
The goods and services of the ecosystem, such as food and clean water supply, are affected by shifting weather patterns which is a result of climate changes. These resources have a massive effect on peoples' lives; hence it is vital to find methods and strategies to deal with the consequences of climate changes on human lives. Ecosystem based adaptation or EbA is a way of living which promotes conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of ecosystems. EbA is a nature-based solution that leverages the power of ecosystem services and biodiversity to reduce vulnerability and build sturdy resilience to climate changes. It is imperative for all nations to treat nature-based solutions as an integral part of their adaptation strategies at all levels (local, national, and global) to achieve sustainable development goals of reaching global biodiversity targets. The concept of EbA is people-centric and acknowledges that healthy ecosystems are the foundation and pillars for human resilience. EbA provides cost-effective strategies and an overall adaptation strategy to people who are affected by climate change.
Significance of Ecosystem A healthy ecosystem(wetlands, intact forests and coastal areas) is a necessity for our lives as they provide many benefits to local communities (clean water, firewood, shelter, medicine, food, etc.)
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A thriving ecosystem forms physical barriers against extreme weather conditions such as storm surges and cyclones. Biodiverse forests can protect roads and other infrastructure from landslides and erosion.
What Issues Led to the Development of EbA? Climate variability has been a part of communities for centuries, and they have been adapting to it for eons. But currently, the coping mechanisms of communities are outpaced by the extremely fast-changing climate. It has now become critical to devise adaptation strategies to combat these ever-changing climatic conditions. ● Shifting weather conditions affect rainfall, temperature, and other parameters that ecosystem goods and services rely on. ● Climate change also magnifies the existing risk of disasters. ● Countries have resorted to "gray" infrastructure options (for instance, new reservoirs to manage water shortage and embankments to contour floods), which are costly to build and maintain, and they usually do not take into consideration the advantages of ecosystem-based approaches.
What is EbA? As our planet gets hotter, we need better and natural ways to adapt to extreme weather conditions. Science shows that nature is capable of providing the best defenses against climate change impacts such as rising sea levels, heatwaves, etc. EbA encompasses all such nature-based adaptation strategies to build resilience against climate change. EbA not only protects vulnerable communities from harsh weather but also provides a range of ecological benefits that are critical for human well-being. ● A distinct feature of EbA is that it links ecosystem conservation approaches and traditional biodiversity with sustainable socio-economic development as part of an overall method to help people adapt to climatic changes. ● The primary three elements of EbA are: ○ Helps people to adapt -The qualification criteria of this element are that it reduces environmental and social vulnerability and generates societal benefits with respect to climate change adaptation. ○ Makes active use of biodiversity and ecosystem services - This denotes any strategy that restores, improves or maintains a healthy ecosystem. ○ EbA is part of an overall adaptation strategy - This means it is supported by policies at multiple levels, supports equitable governance, and enhances capacities.
Some of the Ways EbA Builds Resilience Here are a few ways that EbA helps build resilience naturally: ● With EbA, one can derive natural flood defenses by protecting coastal habitats like mangroves. Mangroves weaken the strength of the waves, which stops the shoreline
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from crumbling into the sea. So by planting mangroves, we can build a robust defense against storm surges. Coral reefs also provide flood defense as they break big waves and absorb their energies before these waves hit the shore. Heatwaves have been increasing over the years and are predicted to rise in the coming time. Our AC uses tons of fuel which makes the problem even worse. If we bring nature to the city, we can bring natural cooling around us. Trees release water through their leaves, and urban lakes and rivers keep temperatures low. Drought is a major impact of climate change which affects poorer countries of the world as a large proportion of their population depends on rainfall for farming. Wetlands and trees behave like sponges as they absorb water and recharge groundwater supplies. So, cutting down trees worsens drought, so if we keep our rivers and forests healthy, we are also protecting our water supplies.
How EBA Pays Off Ecosystem adaptation strategies are a cost-effective way to build climate-related resilience. ● With ecosystem-based approaches, the longevity and sustainability of built infrastructure are improved, thereby protecting investments in engineered solutions, for example, restoration of salt marshes adjacent to sea walls. ● The cost-benefit ratio of ROI of ecosystem restoration is as high as three to seventy-five as compared to economic damage caused by the loss of ecosystems. ● EbA not only aids adaptation and risk reduction, but it also generates additional economic, environmental, and social benefits (often referred to as no-regrets or low-regrets options.) EbA can create benefits irrespective of uncertainties in climate projections. For example, with mangrove restoration, we can protect coastlines, and it also provides enlarged and new habitats for fishes and other aquatic species. These changes, in turn, support livelihoods. ● EbA also contributes to climate change mitigation targets such as rewetting of drained peatlands, restoration or conservation of coastal vegetation and forests, reduction of carbon dioxide emission, reduction of land degradation, limiting greenhouse gas emissions, etc.
ECOBARI: Engaging Various Stakeholders For Conserving Biodiversity WOTR (Watershed Organization Trust) is at the heart of tackling rural poverty and other issues, and one such attempt is Ecobari. WOTR has worked in more than 5.200 villages across nine states and impacted over 4.3 million people's lives with their projects. We recognize that the pressing need of the hour is a collective and collaborative approach to tackling ecosystem degradation; hence it involves institutions, individuals, civil society organizations, bands, businesses, academia, media, and other NGOs in its endeavor to enable communities in conserving their local biodiversity. We help communities manage and restore their natural resources.