Landscapes and Local Climates

Landscapes and local climates are deeply interconnected. The way land is managed determines how heat, moisture, and wind interact, shaping local weather conditions. When landscapes degrade—through deforestation, soil depletion, and poor water management—temperatures rise, rainfall becomes erratic, and extreme weather intensifies. However, landscape restoration is a powerful tool to reverse these trends, creating cooler, more humid, and more stable environments that support agriculture, biodiversity, and human well-being.

While climate action is often divided into mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (adjusting to change), a third approach—local climate management—actively reshapes climatic conditions. By restoring vegetation, improving soil moisture retention, and enhancing water cycles, landscapes can buffer against rising temperatures and climate extremes. This is not just about resilience—it is about rebuilding natural climate regulation at the scale where people live and work.

This dossier brings together the science and practice of landscape restoration and local climate management, offering practical strategies to harness landscapes as climate solutions. By treating the world as a mosaic of manageable local climates, it becomes possible to reverse degradation, strengthen resilience, and create healthier, more livable environments.