Sustainability 2016, 8(3), 254; doi:10.3390/su8030254

Human-Nature for Climate Action: Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Sustainability

Helen Santiago Fink

Department of Landscape, Spatial and Infrastructure Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna 1180, Austria

Academic Editor: Tan Yigitcanlar

Received: 18 December 2015 / Revised: 17 February 2016 / Accepted: 1 March 2016 / Published: 15 March 2016

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Abstract 

The global climate change agenda proceeds at an incremental pace while the Earth is approaching critical tipping points in its development trajectory. Climate action at this pinnacle juncture needs to be greatly accelerated and rooted in the fundamentals of the problem—human beings’ disconnection from nature. This paper underscores the valuable role nature and nature-based solutions can play in addressing climate change at the city scale and its implications for broader sustainability. Urban ecosystems (nature in cities) are seen as an integral part of a proposed local climate action rubric wherein policy measures and integrated planning guide lowcarbon/impact development to create more resilient and sustainable urban environments. The use of green infrastructure is highlighted as a cost-effective means to contribute to mitigation and adaptation needs as well as to promote human wellbeing. The paper takes an exploratory view of the influence of ecosystem services, particularly cultural services, and its economics in relation to the individual and society to understand how biophilia can be nurtured to promote environmental stewardship and climate action. View Full-Text

Keywords: cities;  climate change;  nature;  urban ecosystem services;  green infrastructure;  sustainability;  behavior change; biophilia

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).

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