ZSL #035 Nature-based solutions - putting nature at the heart of global climate change and biodiversity science-policy agendas

ZSL Wild Science Podcast

The anthropogenically driven climate crisis and unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss are both threatening the foundations of economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide. Treating these two crises separately can be ineffectual or even deepen the problem. A recent landmark study calls for a more integrated approach to tackling the climate and biodiversity crises. Ellie Darbey will be joined by lead author of the article, Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, along with three co-authors, to share their expertise on these issues and help untangle the web of science and policy. Why is it important to tackle both these crises together? How can Nature-based Solutions help? And what needs to be done to integrate these solutions into global science-policy agendas?

Guests:

• Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, Zoological Society of London
• Professor Heather Koldewey, Zoological Society of London
• Professor William Sutherland CBE, University of Cambridge
• Matthew Lowton, Zoological Society of London

Overview

01:26 – Ellie Darbey introduces the co-host of this episode, Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, to discuss the climate change and biodiversity crises, and introduce Nature-based solutions (NbS).

12:12 – Ellie and Nathalie are joined by Professor Heather Koldewey to explore the use of protected areas and restoration projects in the marine world.

28:59 – Professor William Sutherland joins to explain how to measure the risks of NbS, and emphasises the importance of evidence-based science policies.

38:42 – Ellie and Nathalie welcome Matthew Lowton to discuss the global conventions for climate change and biodiversity, and the ways to get NbS into science-policy agendas.

Resources

• Article: “Time to integrate global climate change and biodiversity science-policy agendas”: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.13985
• Upcoming live ZSL Event on 12 October: https://www.zsl.org/science/whats-on/time-to-integrate-global-climate-change-and-biodiversity-science-policy-agendas
• Putting Nature at the heart of global decision making: https://www.zsl.org/natureatheart
• “Unite solutions to climate and biodiversity crises to save life on earth”: https://www.zsl.org/news/unite-solutions-to-climate-and-biodiversity-crises-to-save-life-on-earth-says-zsl-led-study
• Previous ZSL Event “Nature to get out of the climate crisis - how does that work?”: https://www.zsl.org/science/whats-on/nature-to-get-out-of-the-climate-crisis-how-does-that-work
• Previous Wild Science Podcast Episode “ZSL #028 What's next for rewilding?”: https://www.zsl.org/zsl-wild-science-podcast
• United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change: https://unfccc.int/
• UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties UK 2021 (CoP 26): https://ukcop26.org/
• Convention on Biological Diversity: https://www.cbd.int/
• ZSL’s Protected Areas and Restoration work:
  • https://www.zsl.org/regions/uk-overseas-territories/chagos-archipelago
  • https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/asia/rehabilitating-mangroves-in-the-philippines
  • https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/uk-europe/thames-conservation/native-oyster-restoration
• Conservation Evidence Resource: https://www.conservationevidence.com
• Book by William J. Sutherland et al. “What Works in Conservation 2021”: https://www.openbookpublishers.com/product/1490
• Breadth of ZSL’s conservation work: https://www.zsl.org/conservation/how-we-work