🌳🌊🐚 Today is the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. Mangroves are vital for their rich biodiversity and their role in ensuring food security for coastal communities. To highlight this, we would like to share a story from the Chomes Marine Territory on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, showcasing the importance of mangrove ecosystems to women who gather mollusks, supporting their families and community.
BONUS! Please take a moment to read the experience and contributions of women from Chomes who participated in two separate meetings on National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and a multistakeholder dialogue in Chomes, Costa Rica.
Note: This video has been republished with permission from CoopeSolidar R.L.
About International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
It was established by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to highlight the importance of mangroves as unique, special, and vulnerable ecosystems. Mangroves are found in 123 nations and territories but they represent less than 1% of all tropical forests worldwide and less than 0.4% of the total global forest state – making them a rare asset of the earth!
Fun facts about mangroves
🐚 They are rich in biodiversity and ensures food security for coastal communities.
🐚 They are highly effective carbon sinks. One hectare of mangove can store 3,754 tons of carbon.
🐚 They are a natural coastal defence against calamities. A 500-metre mangove strip reduces wave heights by 50% – 99%.
🐚 When degraded or destroyed, mangroves emit carbon dioxide. It is estimated that they account for 10% of global emissions from deforestration, despite only covering 0.7% of global land.
Source: UNESCO
About CoopeSoliDar R.L
Coope SoliDar R.L. is a self-managed cooperative formed by people with diverse knowledge, skills and interests, based on an ethical foundation of common values, with social and cultural commitment, which dignifies work in a framework of respect and joy. CoopeSoliDar R.L. is also a partner of the Women4Biodiversity restoration site in the province of Puntarenas in Costa Rica. They work together with CoopeMolusChomes R.L in the conservation and recovery of the mangrove ecosystem and the improvement of the well-being of women and girls of the coastal and marine community. They work together with CoopeMolusChomes R.L’s in the conservation and recovery of the mangrove ecosystem and the improvement of the welfare of women and girls of the coastal and marine community. CoopeSoliDar R.L. is the restoration site partner of Women4Biodiversity in Costa Rica.
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