To tackle a crisis of this scale, it’s vital every tool in the box is used, and this includes the natural solutions offered by our planet. Over half of all carbon emissions released into the atmosphere by humans are re-absorbed by the earth’s natural systems. And yet, many of these systems are broken, damaged and degraded. 

Restoring these systems would allow even more carbon to be absorbed – and The Wildlife Trusts are playing a leading role in helping this happen. Here’s a look at how various ecosystems are helping in the fight against climate change. 

Saltmarshes  

Like peatlands and grasslands, intertidal saltmarsh provides an important carbon store in its soils. Saltmarshes also act as a buffer against coastal erosion but only 15% of its historic range remains. 

Peatlands 

Peatlands cover just 3% of the earth’s surface but store more carbon than any other habitat on land. But when damaged, as in the UK, peatlands release carbon, contributing to climate change – so restoration is essential.  

Woodlands 

As they grow, trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere, storing it in their trunk, boughs and roots and as organic matter in woodland soils. So, new woodland creation helps to combat climate change. 

Grasslands 

Healthy grassland soaks up and stores carbon in its roots and the soil. Grasslands that are undisturbed by arable agriculture and protected from soil erosion through sustainable management are important stores. Yet in the UK, we’ve lost 97% of our semi-natural grassland and they continue to be at risk. 

Seagrass meadows 

These aquatic flowering plants are responsible for around 10% of all carbon buried in the ocean, despite covering less than 0.2% of the ocean floor. They store carbon 35 times faster that rainforests, but estimates suggest that globally we are losing an area of seagrass the size of two football pitches every hour. 

Urban 

Urban greenspaces help make cities better in a world that’s getting hotter. Young street trees take up carbon dioxide and urban woodlands help control the local climate by providing shade and reducing the street temperature.  

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is championing nature-based solutions, find out more at hiwwt.org.uk