Episode 71: Tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis with Nature-Based Solutions with Seth Thomas, University of Oxford

Over the last few decades, the world has witnessed a technological revolution to tackle the climate crisis. However, more recently, there has been a growing consensus about the role of nature and nature-based solutions in tackling, not only the Three Planetary Crisis but also various pressing societal issues, such as poverty.  The goals of nature-based solutions are to restore, protect and sustainability manage both natural and modified ecosystems to  benefit both society and nature.  In fact, over a third of the climate mitigation required to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement can be provided by nature-based solutions.  Annually, flooding damages worth US $57 billion are averted by mangroves in India, China, the US, Mexico, and  Vietnam.

 In this episode, I interview Seth Thomas, a research assistant at the University of Oxford’s Nature-based Solutions Initiative. With projects across Asia, South America, and the UK, the program aims to enhance understanding of the potential of nature-based solutions to address multiple global challenges whilst supporting the health of ecosystems. Additionally, the program aims to involve and respect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. In this episode, we discuss the concept of nature-based solutions, their challenges, and their potential. Seth also elaborates on his extensive research work which covers the socioeconomic benefits of the legal wildlife trade and a global review of the large carnivore reintroduction, rewilding, and translocation.