Ecosystem Restoration: How can we Invest in our Planet

The current state of the world is worrying with billions of people across the globe suffering from the consequences of climate change, food and water insecurity, post COVID-19 pandemic effects and the Russia- Ukraine war. Degradation has affected roughly one-third of the world’s farmland, and nearly 87 percent of inland wetlands have vanished worldwide. Additionally, one-third of commercial fish species are being overexploited. Each year, we lose ecosystem services valued at over 10 percent of the global economic output. This degradation negatively impacts the quality of life for an estimated 3.2 billion people, which is equivalent to 40 percent of the world’s population.

As we strive to tackle these issues, it’s important to recognize that ecosystems are an indispensable ally. To successfully combat these challenges, we must safeguard ecosystems and sustainably manage their resources. However, it’s not enough to simply increase protection and sustainable management of the remaining natural landscapes and oceans. We must also focus on restoring the planet’s degraded ecosystems, considering the immense benefits they offer. By successfully reversing these trends, we stand to make significant progress. The restoration of ecosystems and other natural solutions could contribute to more than one-third of the necessary climate mitigation efforts required by 2030. Furthermore, restoration efforts have the potential to decrease the risk of mass species extinctions and prevent future pandemics. For instance, just by implementing agroforestry techniques, we could achieve food security for an estimated 1.3 billion people.

Ecosystem restoration involves assisting in the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, and destroyed. It is a way of repairing damaged ecosystems and ensuring their sustainable use in the future. On a global scale, restoration requires sustained investments. It can include a range of activities, from planting trees to restoring wetlands or coral reefs. For instance, restoring coral reefs in Mesoamerica and Indonesia to a healthy state by 2030 could generate an estimated additional USD 2.5 billion annually.

Investing in ecosystem restoration is crucial because of the immense benefits that healthy ecosystems provide, which are critical to the well-being of humans, including clean air and water, food, fiber, and medicines. They also play a crucial role in regulating the planet’s climate and supporting biodiversity. One of the key benefits of ecosystem restoration is its potential to address climate change. Degraded ecosystems, such as forests or wetlands, are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Restoring these ecosystems can help to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reduce emissions, making them an important tool for climate change mitigation. Ecosystem restoration can also help to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters. Healthy ecosystems, such as forests and wetlands, can absorb and store large amounts of water, reducing the risk of flooding and erosion. They can also act as natural barriers to storms and hurricanes, protecting communities and infrastructure from damage.

Furthermore, investing in ecosystem restoration can have significant economic benefits. According to the World Economic Forum, investing in nature-based solutions could generate up to $10.1 trillion in business opportunities and create up to 395 million jobs by 2030. As an example of the benefits of ecosystem restoration, Costa Rica has doubled its forest cover since the 1980s, leading to a growth in ecotourism, which now accounts for 6 percent of its GDP.

While restoration science is a relatively new field, we already possess the necessary knowledge and tools to halt degradation and restore ecosystems. Policymakers and financial institutions are recognizing the immense need and potential for green investment in restoration efforts. Proven restorative practices like sustainable farming and agroforestry can be utilized by farmers to contribute to ecosystem restoration. Additionally, landscape approaches that involve all stakeholders in the decision-making process, including women and minorities , can support social and economic development while also promoting ecosystem health.

However, ecosystem restoration is not without its challenges. It can be a costly and time-consuming process that requires significant resources and expertise. Furthermore, restoration efforts must be carefully planned and executed to ensure that they are effective and do not cause unintended harm. To overcome these challenges, governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to invest in ecosystem restoration. This investment can take many forms, from funding restoration projects to supporting research and development of new restoration technologies. It also requires the adoption of policies that support ecosystem restoration and protect the planet’s remaining natural resources.

In conclusion, ecosystem restoration offers a promising solution to the environmental challenges that we face today. By investing in ecosystem restoration, we can address climate change, mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, and support economic development. However, this investment must be a collective effort, requiring the cooperation of governments, businesses, and individuals to ensure the sustainable use of our planet’s resources for generations to come.

Article by Michelle Nthemba

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