Join the BlueGreen Alliance
Help us identify ways to turn today’s environmental challenges into job-creating and economic opportunities!Healthy ecosystems are a key component in building resilient communities that can adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The Challenge
Natural infrastructure refers to naturally occurring areas or systems that are intentionally managed to provide benefits for humans and the environment. For example, coastal ecosystems and healthy dunes, wetlands, and forests shield people and property from sea-level rise, severe storms, and flooding. They further provide benefits for wildlife and water quality. Healthy ecosystems are key for building resilient communities that can adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The Opportunity
Protecting nature helps to protect our nation in big ways. Natural infrastructure provides services like water storage and filtration, fisheries production, capturing and storing carbon dioxide. Those services are worth an estimated $125 trillion per year globally. Our coastal wetlands alone provide an estimated $23.2 billion in storm protection every year. Even 2.5 acres of restored or protected oyster reefs can provide up to $99,000 worth of services through shoreline stabilization and improved water quality.
Investing in natural resilience also produces savings in the long term. Investing in risk reduction measures well ahead of floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and other hazards provides better outcomes for communities than rebuilding post-disaster. It is estimated that for every $1 spent on risk reduction activities, the United States saves $6 in disaster costs, producing large savings for taxpayers and insurance policyholders over the long term.
If a full array of natural infrastructure techniques were adopted nationwide for new construction projects over an acre in size, the job creation potential is estimated at 84,000 jobs (direct, indirect, and induced) created and supported throughout the U.S. economy per year.
Key Facts
84,000 jobs a year If a full array of natural infrastructure techniques were adopted nationwide for new construction projects over an acre in size, the job creation potential is estimated at 84,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs created and supported throughout the U.S. economy per year. (Source)
$125 trillion per year globally Natural infrastructure provides services like water storage and filtration, fisheries production, and carbon sequestration worth an estimated $125 trillion per year globally . (Source)
$6 Saved Per $1 Invested It is estimated that for every $1 spent on risk reduction activities, the United States saves $6 in disaster costs, producing large savings for taxpayers and insurance policyholders over the long term. (Source)