Which action best integrates nature-based approaches to manage stormwater and improve air quality?

• A. Stricter emissions standards
• B. Shift to renewable energy
• C. Deploy green infrastructure
• D. Encourage citizen science monitoring

Answer: (C)

Nature-based approaches use vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage water and air in urban areas. Deploying green infrastructure does this directly by bringing ecological systems into the built environment. Rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavements, green roofs, and street trees intercept, infiltrate, and evapotranspire rainfall, reducing runoff and flood risk while filtering pollutants from water. At the same time, plants remove air pollutants, shade and cool surroundings, and help lessen urban heat islands, which can improve overall air quality. This combination makes it the best fit for addressing both stormwater management and air quality through nature-based means. Stricter emissions standards, shifting to renewable energy, and citizen science monitoring all play valuable roles in environmental protection, but they do not implement nature-based stormwater solutions in the built environment in the way green infrastructure does.