Colombia Uses Nature-Based Solutions in Water and Energy Crisis

Colombia recently saw 40% less rainfall than usual, particularly in its Andean and Carribean regions. 73% of the country’s power comes from hydroelectricity, so local scientists were quick to come up with solutions for the crisis in Colombia.

Researchers are looking into nature-based solutions to solve the water and energy problems, which are not helped by increased hand-washing due to the pandemic.

So is it possible to solve this crisis using the power of nature? Well, according to the World Resources Institute, it looks that way:

“Nature-based solutions use natural systems to protect and benefit human populations through improving water security, managing disaster risks and building resilience to climate change, among other benefits. These strategies often involve protecting, restoring, sustainably managing and creating ecosystems such as forests, grasslands or wetlands. Nature-based solutions can complement and enhance existing development plans, as well as extend the menu of water-management options available to resource managers and policymakers.”

As we move forward to a greener world, it’s important to innovate and look for new natural solutions to energy crises rather than resort to old fossil fuels which are a finite resource anyway.

It’s nice to see a developing country like Colombia thinking about their energy plans in the long term.