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Every time you flush the toilet, you may be inadvertently contributing to a global environmental crisis: wastewater pollution. Eighty percent of the world's wastewater enters our waterways without adequate treatment — and the repercussions are critical for both human and ecological health.

Tune in to waste(d)water, a first-of-its-kind podcast from The Nature Conservancy, to hear from experts across disciplines and geographies, so we can unpack wastewater pollution and learn about the solutions to tackle it. From resource recovery to nature-based solutions, we can reshape how we perceive and manage wastewater.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite streaming platforms:

EPISODE SIX: SHOW NOTES

   

Making the case for nature-based wastewater solutions
(A Reef Exchanges special episode)

 Featuring Dr. Rob McDonald


LISTEN ON:     Apple Podcasts    ◦    Spotify    ◦    YouTube



DESCRIPTION
Can green infrastructure play a vital role in improving wastewater management solutions? In this segment of waste(d)water, we feature a special episode from Reef Exchanges, a podcast produced by The Nature Conservancy’s Reef Resilience Network. Each edition of Reef Exchanges features an in-depth discussion around the latest developments in marine science and management, linking strategies and insights to concrete actions and useful tools. In this episode, hosts Henry Borrebach and Kristen Maize speak with Dr. Rob McDonald, Lead Scientist for Nature-based Solutions at The Nature Conservancy. They introduce nature-based solutions (NbS) as an alternative — and sometimes compliment — to traditional gray infrastructure through use of natural processes to capture and treat contaminated water before discharge into waterways. They also share suggestions for how marine managers can build support for NbS to advance implementation of low-cost, long-term solutions with multiple benefits.

Explore other episodes of the Reef Exchanges podcast here.


KEY WORDS
nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, wastewater management, ecosystem services, climate resilience, urban water planning, sustainable development


AT A GLANCE

  • Nature-based solutions can enhance wastewater management and resilience.
  • Green infrastructure offers co-benefits for ecosystems and communities.
  • Wetlands and green spaces can be designed for added treatment.
  • Scientific modeling supports strategic wastewater planning.
  • Policy and funding frameworks are key to scaling nature-based approaches.
  • Practical tools are available to guide implementation.
  • Collaboration across sectors strengthens wastewater solutions.
  • Education and outreach help build support for green infrastructure.
  • Nature-based wastewater strategies align with climate adaptation goals.

GUEST BIO

Dr. Rob McDonald is the Lead Scientist for Nature-based Solutions for The Nature Conservancy where he conducts research on the impact and dependencies of communities on the natural world, studying how nature can increase resilience in the face of climate change and improve human health and well-being. He received his Ph.D. in Ecology from Duke University and has expertise in ecosystem services, biodiversity preservation and urban planning.  



EPISODE RESOURCES

Using Nature for Water Sanitation
ICRA 

Find Your Nature-based Solution
ICRA

Urban Water Blueprint The Nature Conservancy

Wastewater: Turning Problem to Solution 
United Nations, 2023



CREDITS
Post-production services for waste(d)water provided by Two Aspen Audio. A special thank you to The Nature Conservancy Coda Fellows Sydney Bezanson and Juan Sebastián Gómez Gutiérrez for their contributions.
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