Introduction
Natural Climate Solutions, also called Nature-Based Solutions, are actions that reduce emissions and increase carbon storage in forests, farms, grasslands and wetlands, while providing a host of additional benefits for people and the environment.
Practices that could be included are actions like encouraging farming techniques that retain carbon in the soil, such as planting cover crops; conserving and replanting forests; conserving and restoring coastal wetlands; and reducing the loss of natural areas, planting trees, and providing parks in communities.
Not only do these efforts help address climate change – they can improve water quality, prevent natural disasters like wildfire, drought, and flooding, protect wildlife habitat, and provide opportunities for hiking and fishing. Best of all, these solutions are cost effective, and can often improve local economies.
Below you can explore how people in Hawaii are benefiting from implementing nature-based solutions in their community through a diverse set of resources from USN4C members and others, including blog articles, videos, comprehensive reports, and more.

Blog Articles

Photo courtesy of Pilina ‘Āina for American Forests
American Forests Article: Cultivating Kuleana – Shared Responsibility – For Hawaiian Landscapes and Language with the Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests

© Anne Carter for TNC
The Nature Conservancy Article: Farm Bill Funds Help Maui Farmer Rise from the Ashes

© Zach Pezzillo/TNC Photo Contest 2019
The Nature Conservancy Article: The Race to Save Native Forest Birds in Hawai’i
- U.S. Climate Alliance Press Release: State of the State Roundup: U.S. Climate Alliance Spotlights Governors’ Commitment to Climate Action in 2024
- Trust for Public Land Article: Statement from Trust for Public Land on Department of Defense’s Newly Announced Sentinel Landscape Designations in California and Hawaii
- U.S. Nature4Climate Blog Article: Why Greenhouse Gas Inventories Are Important for Natural and Working Lands — and How to Fix Them
- Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Fact Sheet: He’eia Ahupua’a Revival
Forests:
- National Association of Conservation Districts Press Release: NACD Announces Urban and Community Conservation Grants for 35 Recipients
- USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet: Forest Legacy 2024 Funded Projects
Agriculture:
- SCIENCE: Scientific Reports Study (University of Hawaii-Manoa, with the USDA Forest Service): Carbon Benefits Through Agroforestry Transitions on Unmanaged Fallow Agricultural Land in Hawaiʻi
- SCIENCE: Carbon Balance and Management Study (Conservation International): Maximizing Tree Carbon in Croplands and Grazing Lands While Sustaining Yields
Coastal Wetlands:
- The Nature Conservancy Press Release: NOAA Announces $220 Million for Coastal Conservation and Restoration Projects
- Pew Charitable Trusts Article: States Improve How They Assess Coastal Wetlands’ Impacts to Reduce Climate Pollution
- U.S. Nature4Climate Blog Article: Harnessing Blue Carbon: A Natural Solution to Climate Change and Coastal Resilience
Videos & Podcasts
The Nature Conservancy Video: Natural Climate Solutions
Explore More!

A new national survey conducted by U.S. Nature4Climate shows that voters across party lines support natural climate solutions more than ever, suggesting fertile ground for bi-partisan cooperation and consensus-building, opening up new avenues for climate action. Learn more.

Explore U.S. Climate Alliance‘s Climate Policy Database.

Explore Nature4Communities, a resource that shows you how nature-based solutions are critical for your community’s well-being and become a better advocate for their implementation.