How Sponge Measures Can Reduce Disaster Risks

🌲 Harnessing Nature for Resilience: Japan’s Eco-DRR Approach Japan, a country shaped by mountains, forests, and coastlines—and frequently tested by earthquakes, typhoons, and floods—is pioneering a nature-based approach to disaster risk reduction: Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR). The latest [guideline from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment](https://lnkd.in/gX8y56aS) highlights how ecosystems like satoyama (traditional rural landscapes), wetlands, and coastal forests can buffer communities against natural hazards while preserving biodiversity and cultural heritage. 🌿 *Satoyama* landscapes support local agriculture and biodiversity while acting as natural barriers against landslides and flooding. 🌊 In Hokkaido, the **Kushiro Wetland** absorbed excess rainfall during the 2016 storm, preventing severe flooding downstream. 🦢 The **Maizuru Retention Basin** in Kyoto Prefecture, originally built for flood control, has evolved into a thriving wetland where endangered red-crowned cranes successfully nested for the first time. These examples show how Japan blends traditional wisdom with modern science, turning ecological restoration into a powerful tool for climate adaptation and disaster resilience. Let’s learn from Japan’s integrated approach to build safer, greener futures—where nature is not just protected, but empowered. 🌳 Please read English version (https://lnkd.in/gzHaqCzp) #EcoDRR #NatureBasedSolutions #DisasterRiskReduction #JapanResilience #Satoyama #WetlandConservation #ClimateAdaptation #Biodiversity #GreenInfrastructure #SustainabilityLeadership

Parallel Session: Lakes and River Basins 2 November 20, 2025 (Day 3) Session Chair: Dr. Noel G. Sabino Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, UPLB The 5th International Conference on Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (INREM 2025) continues its exploration of freshwater systems through Lakes and River Basins Session 2, highlighting innovative approaches to flood risk reduction, climate modeling, and institutional resilience. Presentations include: • Elucidation of Reforestation Programs and Natural Retention Ponds Coupling as Nature-Based Solution for Flood Mitigation — Gifford Jay L. Agudo, University of the Philippines Resilience Institute • Valuation of Avoided Export Services in the Pantabangan–Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, Philippines — John Mark Anzia, Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UPLB • Multi-Scenario Flood Risk Assessment of Malogo and Sicaba Watersheds in Negros Occidental, Philippines — Jerico E. Mendoza, University of the Philippines Resilience Institute • Assessment of Institutional Resilience to Disaster Events of Local Government Units and Select Government Agencies in the Quinali A Watershed, Albay — Liezl B. Grefalda, Nagoya University, Japan • Assessment of the Future Diversion Water Requirements Using Global Climate Models under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) of the Santa Maria River Irrigation System in Laguna, Philippines — Renel Angelo M. Taladtad, School of Environmental Science and Management, UPLB Bringing together experts from UPLB, the UP Resilience Institute, and Nagoya University, this session underscores the importance of science-driven water governance and integrated approaches to managing flood risks and sustaining river basin ecosystems in a changing climate. #INREM2025 #UPLBINREM #NatureBasedSolutions #Sustainability #Resilience #WaterSystems #FloodMitigation #WatershedManagement #ClimateAction #CarbonNeutralConference

This is exactly why Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Initial Environmental Examinations (IEE) are so critical for our region. These tools are not just bureaucratic requirements' they are safeguards for our communities, tourism, and natural heritage. By raising awareness among local communities and ensuring strict practice of EIA and IEE, we can: ✅ Prevent unsafe riverbank construction that increases flood risk ✅ Protect remaining forest cover and biodiversity ✅ Balance development with sustainability Gilgit-Baltistan is too valuable to be left vulnerable to unsustainable practices. The more we prioritize environmental assessments, the better we can protect both livelihoods and landscapes for generations to come

https://lnkd.in/dmBcDGYf “This study provides the first national-scale analysis combining mangrove cover change and coastal vulnerability in Mozambique using the MVI and the InVEST Coastal Vulnerability Model. Results reveal a significant decline in mangrove extent between 2013 and 2023, with a 18% national loss and more severe reductions in provinces facing the highest exposure to coastal hazards. This spatial correlation underscores the urgent need to integrate mangrove conservation into coastal risk management strategies. The MVI proved effective for rapid, large-scale mangrove monitoring, while the InVEST model highlighted areas where natural habitats play a critical role in mitigating erosion and flooding. However, both tools have limitations. The MVI requires further validation, and the InVEST model excludes important variables such as inland cyclone impacts and habitat condition. These gaps call for targeted field validation and the integration of additional data layers, including sea-level rise and geomorphology, to enhance future assessments. Given Mozambique’s high vulnerability to climate extremes and rapid coastal development, the findings support the prioritization of Nature-based Solutions, particularly mangrove restoration, in spatial planning. Protecting and rehabilitating mangroves in high-risk areas such as Zambezia, Sofala, and Maputo provinces will be essential to safeguard ecosystems, livelihoods, and infrastructure[…]” Excerpt From Shields of the shore: mangrove ecosystem shifts and climate vulnerability in Mozambique Camilla Foggia, Fabio Attorre, Carine Bourgeois, Elisabetta Candeago, Paolo Ramoni-Perazzi and Luca Malatesta This material may be protected by copyright.

Groundwater in #Nevada is under growing threat, with nearly 40% of thousands of wells analyzed across the state showing significantly declining water levels, according to a scientific paper recently published in the Hydrological Processes. The study warns of mounting risks to groundwater-dependent ecosystems but also offers science-based strategies to protect and restore these vital systems. Read more: bit.ly/nvgwdeclines The Nature Conservancy #Groundwater #drought #ScienceThatMattersNow

From Crisis to Opportunity: How a River Condition Assessment Unlocks River Recovery No single stretch of river is currently in good ecological condition, according to the latest State of Our Rivers report from the River Trust. That sounds bleak but it also means there has never been a greater opportunity to improve the condition of our rivers. The question is: who will take the lead, and where do we start? There are many reasons to improve a river’s health. You might be seeking a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) uplift for a planning application; aiming to enhance fish abundance for angling; restoring natural river functions to reduce flooding; or supporting the wider species that depend on rivers as their life-support system. Whatever the motivation, the first step is to understand the current condition. Decision-makers across sectors are increasingly turning to the River Condition Assessment (RCA) as a tool to establish a baseline and then identify the most effective ways to achieve an uplift. The RCA is innovative because it integrates multiple scientific disciplines that describe natural river function. By combining dependent and independent variables from these different sciences, it produces a clear score. This approach not only defines what a healthy river of a given type should look like but also highlights what’s missing; invaluable information in England and anywhere else grappling with degraded waterways. Our company collects field data directly into the Cartographer application, which produces a preliminary RCA score. We then apply our internal process to evaluate interventions, weighing ease of implementation against expected biodiversity gains. This system allows us to recommend options to improve rivers at almost any budget. Whether your connection to rivers is recreational, engineering, development, ecological, restoration, flood management or planning, the RCA offers a holistic framework to guide decisions and deliver the best outcomes for people and nature alike. It’s well worth exploring. More info can be found on our website by clicking this link. https://lnkd.in/eFizDEeg Acknowledgement: https://lnkd.in/eeRsxXPY #Rivers #RiverConditionAssessment #NaturePositive Storm Geomatics Limited

These are the kinds of things that are possible: This alliance of groups used biomimicry and traditional ecological knowledge to bring manufactured beaver dams to their territory and start repairing the whole region's water system. They made "dirt lasagna" and the results were immediate. Check out this full coverage published today in The Narwhal https://lnkd.in/gpkwGCU6 Here's a summary write up for a #regenerativecasestudyoftheday The Problem Over 90% of wetlands in syilx territories, British Columbia, have been lost due to the disappearance of beavers, a keystone species in managing waterways.  The resulting water infrastructure systems failure led to * streams eroding * water temperatures rising * salmon habitat degrading * increased wildfire vulnerability * and intensifying drought conditions. The beavers and their dams were the natural speed bumps that slowed water flow, recharged groundwater, and maintained ecosystem resilience. Their population collapse is a disaster. The Response In response, an alliance made up of four Indigenous groups and the B.C. Wildlife Federation implemented biomimicry-based ecological restoration by building 16 "beaver dam analogues"—human-made structures that replicate beaver engineering using locally harvested fir branches and creek mud in a "dirt lasagna" technique. The structures slow water flow, create pools, trap sediment, raise creek beds, restore floodplains, and are designed to attract real beavers back to take over long-term maintenance. (And maybe it's also an analogy for the power of placing obstacles to slow the flow in all parts of life.) The Outcome Results were immediate and measurable:  * water levels rose within days * pools formed behind structures * sediment trapping began * vegetation started returning.  * fire-resistant refugia (3x more fire-resistant than areas without beaver activity) were created * improved conditions were created for salmon spawning And an a replicable model was established. The federation successfully trained alliance technicians for autonomous implementation, enabling knowledge transfer to other syilx communities (Westbank First Nation, Lower Similkameen Indian Band) and creating a scalable restoration framework for climate adaptation. The project represents both Western science and Indigenous knowledge integration, with plans to scale to hundreds of installations annually across watersheds.

Nature is not a side-benefit — it’s our frontline defense. This was the clear message from our yesterday dialogue co-organized by EMG and UNDRR on disaster risk reduction, biodiversity, and climate integration. 📉 Since 1970, wildlife populations have dropped by 73% on average — freshwaters by almost 85%. 💰 Every $1 invested in disaster risk reduction saves $15 in avoided losses. Yet national planning still too often separates climate, biodiversity, and DRR policies into silos. The cost is paid in lives, money, and lost resilience. The event introduced the updated Guidance on Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) , showcased country cases from Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago, and Uganda, and promoted the UN Common Approach to Biodiversity as a practical tool for coherence. 🔑 The way forward is clear: From fragmented policies to synergistic strategies From reactive response to prevention From fragmented data to integrated risk systems From separate UN silos to Common Approaches and shared support to Member States A big thank you to our panelists and colleagues across the UN system and governments for making this dialogue so rich. 👉 The EMG will continue to connect dots across the UN family — bringing biodiversity, climate, and disaster risk communities together to support Member States in achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sendai Framework. https://lnkd.in/eXu7JcKy

When nature is under attack, disaster risks rise. Integrating biodiversity and disaster risk reduction strengthens ecosystems, resilience, and societies alike. Yesterday I spoke at a webinar on integrating biodiversity and disaster risk reduction, organized under the auspices of the UN Environment Management Group, which foregrounded the UN Common Approach on Biodiversity. I emphasised the need to scale up subnational and local actions, break silos and foster dialogue across institutions, and advance joint planning. We also launched United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)'s updated guidance on Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Biodiversity. The discussion further underscored the importance of data availability, financing mechanisms and a whole-of-society approach. I look forward to continuing this dialogue and working together to address the challenges ahead. You can find the guidance here: https://ow.ly/SYm950X606V

🌍 Guardians of Earth: Utilizing Satellite Imagery to Monitor Environmental Changes and Disaster Preparedness 🌍 In an era where environmental sustainability and disaster management are paramount, the capability to track deforestation and other ecological changes before they escalate into significant crises has never been more critical. Through advanced satellite imagery, we are pioneering methodologies that facilitate the proactive monitoring of our natural resources. Our technology enables the analysis of forest canopy health, detection of unauthorized logging activities, and longitudinal studies on reforestation initiatives. Moreover, we offer real-time insights for anticipating natural disasters, providing essential data that empowers decision-makers and enhances response strategies. Our mission integrates cutting-edge technology with robust environmental intelligence and geospatial analytics to support environmental practitioners. Key areas of focus include: - Forest Management : Continuous monitoring and assessment of forest health. - Disaster Preparedness : Timely identification of potential disaster zones including flood-prone areas and wildfire risks. - Climate Change Mitigation : Facilitating urban recovery and conservation efforts through detailed spatial analysis. This initiative transcends traditional imaging methodologies. It represents a fundamental shift towards informed decision-making in climate action, where resilience begins with the comprehensive understanding of our planet's dynamics. 🔗 Explore how our satellite intelligence solutions are revolutionizing disaster response and conservation efforts across Africa and beyond. https://lnkd.in/dxATtKGq 🌍🔍 #GeospatialIntelligence #EnvironmentalMonitoring #DisasterPreparedness #SatelliteImagery #ForestManagement #ClimateResilience #DataAnalytics #SpatialTechnology #GISLeadership #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateAction