Natural defenses in action: Harnessing nature to protect our communities

This publication highlights the important role that natural and nature-based approaches can play in reducing the mounting risks to our communities from weather and climate-related natural hazards. This report profiles a dozen case studies that highlight best-in-class examples of how natural defences are being put to use to avoid or reduce risks from flooding, coastal storms, erosion, and wildfire.

The report offers recommendations in three areas (pp. 32-34):

• reform key policies;
  • Protect natural systems already providing natural defences.
  • Adopt flood and natural catastrophe insurance reforms.
  • Adopt disaster preparedness and response reforms.
  • Enhance funding for use of natural defences.
  • Reduce regulatory barriers to deploying natural defences.
• target research;
  • Improve research base on effectiveness of natural defences.
• promote best practices;
  • Promote creation and adoption of best practices.
  • Apply climate adaptation and resilience principles in the design of natural defences.