Bravo Desiree! Thank you for validating nature-based solutions with such outstanding organizations/efforts. Marvelous case studies to give us all hope for the flowers and our families.

The secret to nature’s abundance is cycling instead of property (hoarding) or consumption (use and dispose). There is a limited amount of water and land space on Earth. Yet, it is in abundance when we use, tread lightly, and pass it along. More vegetation and particularly more healthy soil means water is retained longer to lessen floods and draughts. More important than the quantity of stuff is the quality of cycles turning water, carbon, nitrogen, methane, and other vital elements.

The successes of greening desert in the Middle East and a desiccated dry scape in China are testimony that a bigger driver of climate change than the burning of fossil fuels was the high-tech invention of the iron plow busting up turf, killing soil, creating property rights and worker/ruler classes. Innovation needs to be balanced with letting nature be, no meddling with systems too complex to fully understand.

Restoration of land and oceans begins at home in our yards and neighborhoods where we can see, and benefit from, the effects of our actions. Nature-based solutions begin with our diets, what we choose to eat, and eliminating food deserts. Greening locally with responsible stewardship, individuals and nations may heal, restore life, and cool a suffering planet – turning towards a better day for all.