Sea of Change

Cool Effect team visited this project in October 2018. While en route, our expectations were modest because the project site was very remote, and Myanmar has been struggling with poverty and governance issues.

We were pleasantly surprised to see the project’s achievements i.e. when the local communities get involved in execution and have the support of strong institutions i.e Worldview International Foundation, Pathein University.

Truly an epitome of the term ‘Blue carbon’ as we walked through mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, salt tidal marshes and witnessed carbon sequestration in this unique Mangrove Biome.

We take pride in adopting this project as it continues to grow manifold in other similar coastal ecosystems of Myanmar which are under very high threat. Carbon funds bring prosperity to the local communities while the mangroves remove CO2 from the atmosphere…it’s a win-win situation.

Myanmar Mangrove continues to top the list of ‘CoolEffect Collection’ as we monitor the progress regularly.

—Sid Yadav, CEO Global Offset Research

In Myanmar, only 16% of the original mangrove forest remains along the coastline. The destruction of mangrove forests has largely been caused by human activity since poverty-stricken locals do what they can to survive. Mangroves are cut down for use as firewood or for clearing the way for farming rice, palm oil, or shrimp. The destruction has decimated the blue carbon ecosystem and has destroyed the very resource that protects and nourishes communities. This project is working to restore those forests. 5 million new mangrove trees have been planted with hopes of planting another 5 million trees in the next two years. The project also works with the local population to adapt to more sustainable practices.

Bottom Line: By restoring mangrove forests, this project reduces harmful CO₂ emissions and helps people to live more sustainable and profitable lives while regenerating an important resource.

Mangrove forests stabilize the coastline, reduce erosion, protect from storms, and are home to fish, birds and plants. Mangroves store as much as four times the carbon stored in inland forests. So when we lose mangroves, the climate suffers. The people don’t want to destroy the forests, but what else can they do? Experts from this project have demonstrated to local communities that the income generated in harmony with a healthy coastal ecosystem can meet or exceed the income generated by destructive practices. When mangroves thrive, fish populations recover, shrimp and crab return in numbers, and plants grow naturally in the forests. All can be sustainably harvested for food or as crops for sale. Locals listened to the advice and found success. More people joined in, momentum took hold and the downward ecological and economic spiral is being stopped. Local communities become partners in conservation and sustainability and ensure that those 10 million new mangrove trees have a long-term role to play in a better future for all.

People and governments worldwide are seeing this project as a way to protect their coastlines. In turn, it helps Earth naturally store the CO₂.