Planet Heal Thyself!

None of the suggestions are really new. It's useful, however, to have a list of Nature-based solutions (Nbs), for countering climate change. This is included in a single report from the British Ecological Society (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/12/love-our-bogs-uk-should-harness-all-its-landscapes-in-fight-for-climate-report-aoe). The report, naturally, focuses on the UK. Many of its recommendations would apply, however, elsewhere in the world. Planting trees has become a mantra of people wanting to counter climate change. Trees are useful as they take up and store carbon dioxide. The report, however, reiterates the truism that, for maximal effect, the planted trees have to be the right species in the right locations. Planting conifer monocultures on English moorland is not an effective strategy. Tiny existing remnants of ancient UK forest could, the report says, be given opportunities to self expand. Much of the unbuilt area of the UK is grassland but only around 2% of this is diversity rich. Again, it's a matter of encouraging areas that matter. Having mixtures of grazing animals in some locations (rather than herds), could be one helpful innovation. The report is especially strong on the importance of rewetting peatland. Peat bogs were once extremely effective carbon sinks. Their exploitation has led them, however, to becoming net emitters of carbon dioxide. The report also suggests that rivers should be allowed to meander (rather than be straightened). This would reduce flooding. A similar consideration arises about the 'claiming' of agricultural land by putting in sea defenses. In many cases, allowing the development of salt marshes would help reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Humans would generally be losing only a few acres of unproductive marginal agricultural land. The report details many examples of how effective Nbs can be. Human interventions are often merely agriculture, engineering, forestry or gardening. There are many instances, where the planet can be trusted when given the opportunity, to heal itself. It would certainly result in a much more interesting natural history for the UK.