Letters | How investing in nature can help protect Chinese coasts from rising seas and extreme weather
- A warming world puts the Pearl River Delta and Greater Bay Area at higher risk of extreme weather events. Building and restoring coastal wetland ecosystems is a cost-effective approach to mitigating these threats
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Massive evacuation under way in southwest China as floods trigger unprecedented alert
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Oyster reef restoration helps clear up Hong Kong coastal waters
Natural infrastructure can perform better and at lower cost than man-made “grey infrastructure” such as levees and dams. Traditional artificial breakwaters may sink over time, losing their defensive function and requiring higher maintenance costs, whereas coastal habitats have the ability for self-repair and growth with sea-level rise.
They also protect property and assets from losses due to natural disasters. In China, mangroves protect 800,000 people from flooding and US$19 billion of property from flood damage. Forests and mangroves can reduce economic losses and overall risk from floods and droughts, which caused US$1.5 trillion in damage worldwide between 2003 and 2013, and are expected to dramatically worsen with climate change.
Large-scale ecosystem restoration efforts supported by government programmes have enormous potential to create jobs – perhaps as many as 40 jobs for every US$1 million invested, according to the same report.
Natural infrastructure is and should be playing an increasing role in mitigating risks of climate change and enhancing community climate resilience and adaptability. That is not to suggest that natural infrastructure should replace artificial or grey infrastructure. A blend of natural and artificial infrastructure should be promoted.
Lulu Zhou, director of strategic partnerships, The Nature Conservancy – Asia-Pacific