Sustainable Infrastructure: A Natural Solution to Environmental Degradation
75% of the Earth’s surface has been significantly altered by human actions, having been ravaged by pollution, urbanization, or more direct actions like poaching. Humanity is reaching an ecological tipping point —when a biological population, community, or ecosystem becomes self-perpetuating beyond a threshold— and it is imperative to find ways to curb this.
It goes beyond just changing our energy sources from nonrenewable to renewable. In order to be sustainable, it is imperative to change even the most foundational parts of our ways of life.
One of the ways to do so is through sustainable infrastructure, infrastructure that delivers long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits. Countries all over the world have been funding programs and initiatives to promote such infrastructure to protect our fragile environment. This includes political movements, bio-receptive concrete, green roofs, and different architectural philosophies that strive to work together with nature and not against it.
In the U.S, for instance, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative. It works to promote the implementation of green infrastructure, the use of filtration, infiltration, and evapotranspiration to treat and soak up rainwater where it falls. This includes rain gardens, planter boxes, bioswales, grass swales, and permeable pavements.
This reduces stormwater runoff and water pollution by naturally filtering rainwater through soils and vegetation. It also improves urban resilience by enhancing groundwater recharge, reducing flooding, and creating greener spaces to support biodiversity.
It is particularly helpful for places like Florida, where heavy rainfall and frequent storms can overwhelm drainage systems and increase the risk of flooding. Green infrastructure helps manage excess water more effectively but also protects our sensitive ecosystems while improving water quality and community resilience.
“It’s so important to be mindful of the environment because not only do we affect it, it also affects us. It’s just a horrible loop, because the more we destroy it, the worse it gets for us. There’s definitely more than we can do, but I’m happy to know that people are trying to protect the environment and humanity by changing the way we live,” said senior Melanie Laverde.
On a more global scale, places in Europe have begun introducing bioreceptive concrete on small experimental scales. Bioreceptive concrete is specifically designed to encourage the growth of organisms such as moss, algae, and lichens. These organisms can work to replace the lack of trees and grass as they also perform photosynthesis. Filtering the CO2 released in cities creates cleaner air, which is better for both humans and the environment.
It prevents the proliferation of lung diseases like lung cancer and pneumonia in humans. Additionally, by reducing the amount of air pollution, it reduces the amount of acid rain —any form of precipitation that contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids— and reduces the pollution of freshwater sources, the degradation of infrastructure, and the risk of polluting agricultural areas.
In the environment, it helps curb the density of greenhouse gases and can theoretically reduce the greenhouse effect and cool the planet. A cooler planet means less drastic environmental conditions, such as hurricanes, and a lower rate of melting of the polar ice caps, which will protect coastal cities like Miami.
One of the most advanced plans for sustainable infrastructure is the “City in Nature” initiative in Singapore. Singapore plans to expand its Nature Park Network and intensify nature in gardens and parks, restore nature into the urban landscape, and strengthen connectivity between its green spaces.
It is one fact of their larger Green Plan (2030), which also encompasses an energy reset, sustainable living, a green economy, and a more resilient future. They plan to incorporate nature more directly into the city’s structure, which is an example of green architecture, architecture that advocates sustainable energy sources, the conservation of energy, the reuse and safety of building materials, and the siting of a building with consideration of its impact on the environment.
Even in a city with limited land, they have adapted by adding vertical greenery. Green walls and rooftop gardens are becoming more common, reducing building temperatures, cutting energy use for cooling, and adding habitats for pollinators. Singapore serves as a model for environmental sustainability and shows how dense centers can still prioritize ecological health.
“I’ve heard about the ‘City in Nature’ on TikTok before, and I think it’s really cool. It definitely works to do a lot for our environment, which is in a really bad state right now. I think more cities and countries should try to implement something similar because every small change matters,” said senior Adrian Pozada.
The state of our planet makes it clear that surface-level fixes will not be enough. Real change comes from rethinking the way we build, live, and interact with the environment around us. International efforts show that sustainable infrastructure is not only possible but necessary. If more nations follow through with bold and creative solutions, humanity can move away from the tipping point and toward a future where both people and the planet thrive together.
