African Cities Use Nature to Fight Floods and Climate Change
Articles/Websites
Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APEarth and Space Sciences, Geography
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Provided by World Resources Institute
What it is
- This article profiles how four African cities use nature-based solutions such as green corridors, restored wetlands, invasive species removal, and watershed restoration to address flooding, extreme heat, and the urban heat island effect.
- It explains how rapid urban expansion paves over natural spaces that once absorbed rainfall and buffered heat, and how integrating nature into infrastructure can address climate adaptation, biodiversity loss, and social challenges at the same time.
Teaching tips
Classroom Implementation:
- Ask students to compare the four cities in a graphic organizer, noting each city's climate hazard, the nature-based intervention used, and the co-benefits reported.
- Pair the reading with maps and images of the four cities so students can locate and visualize the geographic characteristics.
- Discuss why nature-based solutions work—why is the biosphere important in the Earth system?
Options for Action:
- Have students investigate a green space in their own community and propose how it could be expanded or restored to build local climate resilience, anticipating co-benefits.
- Research a local deforestation/urbanization proposal and have students write op-eds stating their position on the topic.
Related Resources:
- Use this lesson to explore environmental restoration case studies and evaluate them based on international principles.
- Use this article to compare the nature-based solutions from Africa to those in small island states.
From the scientist review
This resource explores how four African cities are using nature-based solutions to combat floods and climate change. The text is well-sourced, with references linked throughout, including publications from peer-reviewed journals and trusted international institutions. Climate change is a central focus, as most of these projects are designed to reduce the urban heat island effect. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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