Nature as Resilient Infrastructure: An Overview of Nature-Based Solutions

The document advocates for the integration of nature-based solutions (NbS)—categorized into green and natural infrastructure—as a resilient alternative or supplement to traditional 'gray' manmade infrastructure in the U.S. It details how NbS can mitigate coastal storm damage, inland flooding, and extreme heat while providing co-benefits like carbon sequestration and improved water quality. The text provides specific cost comparisons and case studies from various U.S. cities and states to demonstrate the economic and environmental efficacy of these approaches.

• Nature-based solutions are presented as a cost-effective way to address the U.S. infrastructure funding gap, which includes an estimated $4.6 trillion in direct repair needs for gray infrastructure through 2025 and a funding gap of $2.1 trillion.
• Coastal nature-based solutions, such as wetlands and mangroves, are more resilient and effective at dissipating wave energy than gray infrastructure. For example, 15 feet of marsh can absorb up to 50% of incoming wave energy, and 330 feet of mangroves can reduce wave height by 66%.
• Nature-based solutions for coastal protection often have lower installation and maintenance costs than gray alternatives. Living shorelines cost an average of $361 per linear foot as of June 2019, compared to $1,022 per linear foot for concrete bulkheads.
• Green infrastructure can significantly reduce the cost of managing inland storm drainage systems. In Los Angeles, a retrofit using green infrastructure is estimated to cost between $2.8 and $7.4 billion, whereas traditional gray infrastructure would cost approximately $44 billion.
• Nature-based solutions mitigate the urban heat island effect and reduce energy costs. Green roofs can be 30-40°F cooler than typical roofs and reduce building air conditioning costs by up to 75%.
• Beyond hazard mitigation, nature-based solutions provide critical co-benefits, including carbon sequestration and water quality improvement. For instance, one square mile of salt marshes stores carbon equivalent to 76,000 gallons of gasoline annually.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2019). Nature as Resilient Infrastructure: An Overview of Nature-Based Solutions. https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Nature_Based_Solutions_1016.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Nature as Resilient Infrastructure: An Overview of Nature-Based Solutions. 2019. https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Nature_Based_Solutions_1016.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=Nature as Resilient Infrastructure: An Overview of Nature-Based Solutions |date=September 2019 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Nature_Based_Solutions_1016.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2019nature, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{Nature as Resilient Infrastructure: An Overview of Nature-Based Solutions}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2019}, month = sep, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Nature_Based_Solutions_1016.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }