Green practices, such as creating parks in cities for recreation, are being branded as 'nature-based solutions' (see also Nature 541, 133–134; 2017). What we need, however, are sustainable solutions that address human needs effectively over time — regardless of whether they are nature-based.
The definition of a nature-based solution is still being debated (see C. Nesshöver et al. Sci. Tot. Environ. 579, 1215–1227; 2017). Intuitively, we may assume that nature always benefits human well-being — for instance, through ecosystem 'services'. However, there are ecosystem 'disservices' that work the other way (J. Lyytimäki Ecosyst. Serv. 12, 136; 2015), allergic reactions to pollen being one example.
The added value of the concept of nature-based solutions is recognizing that these exist and can complement or provide alternatives to human or industrial ones.
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‘Nature-based solutions’ is the latest green jargon that means more than you might think
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Schaubroeck, T. Nature-based solutions: sustainable?. Nature 543, 315 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/543315c
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/543315c
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