Ecosystems for climate protection

Ecosystems store greenhouse gases much more effectively than many of us realise. The climate debate particularly emphasises technical solutions. The importance of ecosystems is often only given a subsidiary role.

However, the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems could be one of the decisive keys for humanity in order to protect the climate.

Protecting the ecosystems holds many advantages

Protecting the ecosystems holds many advantages. One advantage is that conserving ecosystems is relatively cheap compared to many more technical solutions.

Another advantage is that some ecosystems, particularly forest soils and moors, can store CO₂ over thousands of years without any problems – and without any of the often-publicised risks that stem from carbon capture and storage technology, where CO₂ is squeezed into subterranean caves. 

One of the key advantages of protecting ecosystems lies in gaining free so-called ecosystem services, such as water, food, fresh air and more, without which life would not be imaginable.

70 studies and a world map

Naturefund wants to demonstrate the significance of ecosystems for climate change mitigation. In order to do this, we have compiled around 70 studies on various ecosystems around the world and their importance to climate protection. The studies are separated into the following fields: forests, grassland, wetland, as well as the important C0₂ storage system known as soil. We shall extend this assprtment of studies on a continuous basis.

Furthermore, Naturefund has come up with a world map that shows where in the world ecosystems are located and how much CO₂ they hold. It provides a world map to investigate and explore, to awaken curiosity and which illustrates how important ecosystems are for climate protection.