A climate scientist reveals how nature can and can't fight climate change

Not so long ago, the idea that nature could be humanity's ally against climate change was not, to say the least, widely known. Research has shown that nature already "cleans up" about half of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions each year, despite our impacts on ecosystems. And there's more: If we protect and restore ecosystems, nature can reverse climate change — and according to a landmark 2017 study, will provide more than a third of the global action needed to prevent climate crisis. Since the publication of this study, "natural climate solutions" have increasingly moved into the mainstream. Many governments and businesses are now integrating nature into their climate commitments, and the wider world is taking notice: Between 2019 and 2021, media reports mentioning natural climate solutions increased by a staggering 263 %. (Mary Kate McCoy, Conservation International)