What is rewilding and why is it important?

5 Climate change context

In this final part of the first module you will examine the nature–climate connection and how rewilding can be a climate change solution.

You will also explore something that has the potential to be one of the most impactful and immediately employable nature-based climate solutions.

The nature–climate connection

The 2016 Paris Climate Agreement saw almost all of the world's nations commit to reducing the man-made greenhouse gas emissions causing global warming. These nations agreed to pursue efforts to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C, which will minimise the risk of extreme climate-related effects – such as catastrophic heatwaves, droughts and wildfires – not to mention many other impacts which will degrade the health and liveability of our planet.

These efforts are currently focused on eliminating carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, through measures such as renewable energy development and electrification.

Yet even if such efforts are completely successful, they will not be enough to achieve the 1.5°C target. This is because there is already too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which now needs to be removed and stored in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments.

If we are to effectively address climate change we need nature's help to go beyond net zero. And to help nature help us, we need rewilding.