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Restore Landscapes to Fight Climate Extremes in Europe
28 Jul
Summary
- Experts urge Europe to prioritize landscape restoration in climate legislation.
- Degraded landscapes amplify climate risks like floods and droughts.
- Nature-based solutions offer a resilient and cost-effective defense.
Europe is grappling with escalating climate extremes, experiencing rapid shifts between heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and droughts. Experts highlight that decades of environmental degradation, including wetland draining and river straightening, have diminished landscapes' natural ability to manage water, amplifying climate impacts.
As the European Commission develops its Climate Resilience Framework, a crucial opportunity exists to prioritize systemic, nature-based solutions. This approach moves beyond adaptation bureaucracy towards addressing climate risks at their root.
Restoring the 'sponge function' of landscapes through measures like rewetting wetlands and improving soil health is vital. Such interventions protect cities from floods, stabilize water supplies, reduce wildfire risks, and cool urban areas.
Evidence suggests these natural systems are more effective and resilient than isolated technical fixes. The upcoming legislation's success will hinge on empowering member states with tools to implement these risk-reduction strategies, moving Europe from disaster recovery to proactive prevention.
