Nature-based Solutions

The world’s natural ecosystems have experienced rapid loss, adversely affecting water. More than half of the world’s wetlands have been lost since 1900. In nearly every water basin around the world, water availability and quality are in decline. Nature-based solutions use or mimic natural processes to meet societal and environmental needs. By restoring, protecting, and managing key ecosystems, including forests and wetlands, we can improve environmental and community resilience and address multiple societal and environmental challenges. 

The Pacific Institute is working to increase use of nature-based solutions that support more climate-resilient water systems and the communities and ecosystems they support, while reducing the severity of climate change. We develop leading-edge guidance and tools to make it easier for non-profit organizations, public-sector agencies, businesses, utilities, communities, and other groups to implement and invest in these solutions. Our work informs policies at the regional, state, national, and global level.