FACT SHEET - UNIT 4

INCLUSIVE ACTION : IMPORTANCE OF YOUTH, COMMUNITIES AND

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE FOR NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

Why should you be concerned about Nature-based Solutions for increasing disaster and
climate resilience and what can you do to get involved?

Nature-based Solutions need to be inclusive. Local communities are at the frontline of prevention and
management of disaster events and climate change impacts - they need to be involved when decisions are made
by the local government and civil society organizations, to design efficient and successful measures that work for
them.

• Only 31% of community members say they are included in monitoring the effectiveness of disaster risk
reduction interventions.
• Only 16% of people at risk feel included in assessing threats, preparing policies and plans, and taking
action to reduce threats.
• 56% of local actors believe that ecosystems can protect their community from hazards.
• 60% of community members say that Nature-based Solutions aren’t used in building resilience in their
community (Views from the Frontlines, 2020).
Empowerment of women and local communities through implementation work, sensitization campaigns and the
promotion of sustainable livelihoods can be an extremely wise and sustainable project investment.

• Women have the potential to play a critical role in this process, as they use and manage land and other
natural resources, while meeting water, food and energy needs in households and communities.
• Empowerment brings ownership and innovation.
Including children and youth in Nature-based Solutions and disaster risk reduction programmes means ensuring
effective protection against threats that their home or school face.

We also have a lot to learn from the wealth of traditional practices and knowledge indigenous people for reducing
climate risks. Examples include, traditional fire management practices but also ancestral wisdom for addressing
environmental and psychological stress in times of turmoil.

LEARN MORE

Dig in deeper

● Eco-DRR Source book: Chapter 12

Reports

● Views from the frontline (2020) Why are people still losing their lives and livelihoods to disasters
● UN (2008) Gender perspectives: Integrating disaster risk reduction into climate change adaptation

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 ● UN Vietnam and Oxfam (2012) Recognise the strength of women and girls in reducing disaster risks!
Stories from Vietnam
● UNISDR (2008) Indigenous knowledge disaster risk reduction policy note
● UNEP Cambodia project factsheet: supported community patrol groups during the planting of more than
a quarter of a million trees
● UNEP Tanzania project factsheet: supported villagers to form an organization to adapt to rising sea
levels by reforesting mangrove forests

Websites

• Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction: https://www.gndr.org/

• Views from the Frontline: https://vfl.world/
• Climate Adaptation Action: https://klimaatadaptatiegroningen.nl/en/action
• Global Diversity Foundation: https://www.global-diversity.org/
• Indigenous wisdom and ecopsychology for empowering emerging Latin American change
makers: moving from Covid disruption to better social and ecological well-being
https://www.globalenvironments.org/indigenous-wisdom-and-ecopsychology-for-empowering-
emerging-latin-american-change-makers/
• Indigenous Climate Action: https://www.indigenousclimateaction.com/
• How ‘smart’ indigenous fire management could help the bushfire
crisis: https://gfmc.online/media/2020/02-2020/how-smart-indigenous-fire-management-could-help-
the-bushfire-crisis.html

Videos

● WCDRR: The engagement of local communities in ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction, Yasushi
Hibi
● Working with communities on nature-based risk reduction solutions
● Youth4Nature webinar series: Nature-based Solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation
● Nature4Life: Youth taking action on nature-based solutions
● GP 2019: Bringing community voices to the global conversation: part 1, part 2, part 3

GET INVOLVED!

As a community

● Assess your local ecosystem needs for disaster and climate resilience;
● Include Nature-based Solutions education in schools or youth groups;
● Ensure gender-balance and inclusivity are at the heart of your DRR strategies;
● Check out the Green Schoolyard movement and get involved!
● Find out more how you can become a member of the Global Network for Civil Society Organisations for
Disaster Reduction

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As an individual

● Join an environmental conservation/climate action/disaster management group;

● Join:
o The UN Major Group for Children and Youth
o Children and Youth Constituency to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
o Green Africa Youth Organization

● Collect rainwater;
● Start your own vegetable (balcony) garden;
● Choose a green roof for your house;
● Share opportunities with your friends and family;
● Ask your teacher to include Nature-based Solutions in the curriculum;
● Follow the online Earth School

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