This infographic encapsulates the work of Michal Kravčik and Jan Lambert’s “Global Action Plan for the Restoration of Natural Water Cycles and Climate.”
It appeared at a conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, and also Jan Lambert’s presentation at the “Reversing Climate Change with the Small Water Cycle” conference, organized by Biodiversity for a Livable Climate.
Land use directly impacts rainfall. Gray infrastructure (mostly impervious surfaces, such as asphalt and rooftops) is contrasted with green infrastructure (mostly pervious surfaces, such as pervious pavers, vegetation, wetlands and forest). Gray infrastructure promotes the urban heat island effect, resulting in heavy storms that are less frequent and short in duration. In contrast, green infrastructure promotes more frequent, gentle rainfall that is longer in duration and infiltrates the soil.