From extreme conditions to apex predators, the natural world is full of adversity for all its inhabitants. But one challenge is growing exponentially, threatening to outpace nature’s ability to keep up and adapt. Climate change is causing extreme weather events across the globe, leading to habitat loss and species extinction, and endangering the survival of all wildlife on Earth.
But there is hope. Not only can nature fight back when given the chance, but with its ability to capture carbon, it can help us combat the effects of climate change. To reap the benefits of what nature can do for us, we need to lend a helping hand by cutting our carbon emissions — and fast.
The most effective way to do this is by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and turning to renewable energy. National Grid is making this possible with The Great Grid Upgrade.
What are nature’s solutions?
Nature is a brilliant ally when it comes to carbon capture, and there are many habitats in the UK that we need to protect and restore for this very reason.
Seagrass, for example, is a flowering plant that grows on the ocean floor and can capture carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. There are four species of seagrass in the UK, found in sheltered coastal habitats like harbours, lagoons and bays. As well as being fantastic carbon sinks, seagrass meadows are an essential habitat for all types of marine life.
Wooded areas are also indispensable for their biodiversity and carbon-capturing potential, especially ancient woodlands — which store more carbon per hectare than any other forest.
What can humans do to help?
Protecting, restoring and creating these habitats is a no-brainer. But nature-based solutions could be futile unless human impact is reduced. We’re already leveraging nature’s mighty abilities to fight the effects of climate change, but how can we harness the power of nature to achieve even more?
Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) for energy and transport is the main cause of climate change. Moving to renewable energy sources — like wind, solar and hydroelectric — is the solution. In the fight against climate change, the UK aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and reach net zero emissions by 2050. A big part of achieving this will be connecting 50GW of renewable wind power from out at sea into the UK’s power grid by 2030 — the equivalent of taking 5.2 million cars off the road or the absorption of 509 million trees over one year.
What is The Great Grid Upgrade?
The switch to clean energy will require a grid capable of transporting all that renewable power from where it’s generated to where it’s needed.
National Grid is working to get this renewable energy to UK homes and businesses and, in doing so, provide everyone with cleaner, more affordable power. At the heart of this plan is The Great Grid Upgrade — the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations. The upgrade will involve building new electricity infrastructure (and updating old networks) to scale up the grid and make it fit for a clean energy future.
Potential impact to the landscape is possible but National Grid works closely with Natural England to reduce the impact of its activities and protect natural habitats as a priority. This includes maintaining its non-operational land (around 1,800 hectares, including ancient woodland and peatland) and aiming to increase the land’s environmental value by 10 percent by 2026.
Boosting value may include replanting of wildflower meadows and native trees or installing beehives and other wildlife homes, depending on the habitat. At a local level, a Community Grant Programme could provide grants to community projects in areas where construction of new infrastructure is taking place.
What are the benefits of The Great Grid Upgrade?
- Good for the planet: Upgrading the grid today will reduce the nation’s carbon footprint and help us to reach net zero faster
- Energy security: British energy supply will become more self-sufficient
- Fairer prices: Homegrown power should result in cheaper energy bills
- Economic boost: Hundreds of thousands of green jobs will be created
Nature can’t fight the climate crisis alone
Humans may be nature’s greatest enemy at times. But we can also be its greatest ally. The Great Grid Upgrade will make it possible to harness the power of nature to our advantage and reach net zero faster — helping to reduce strain on the natural world and let it do what it does best: grow.