Approaching the island from the air, Pohnpei is a sight to behold. As the plane circles around the lush greenery of mountains, forests, amid a vast, deep blue ocean, we are welcomed by nature’s abundance. One thing that is truly exceptional about the island is that it is surrounded by thriving mangroves. These intricate ecosystems are more than picturesque, it demonstrates tremendous potential for harnessing nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience and support sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

July 26th is Mangrove Day, the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems. 

Here in the Federated States of Micronesia, it is only fitting that we join the world in recognizing this day and use as a critical platform to raise awareness on the significance of these unique yet vulnerable ecosystems, but more importantly, to contribute solutions for its sustainable management and protection to global efforts as a nation.

Mangroves are super ecosystems that provide critical ecosystem services to coastal communities. They act as buffers from flooding, storm surges, and tsunamis. They are an abundant source of food, livelihoods, and medicine supporting the well-being of those who rely on them. Their complex root systems trap sediments, improving water quality and providing habitat for marine species. As powerful carbon sinks, mangroves can capture carbon dioxide at a rate greater than other terrestrial ecosystems. Carbon sequestration plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Despite these benefits, the role of mangroves in climate resilience is often undervalued. Thus, their protection and sustainable use become less of a priority. Mangroves face threats from deforestation, degradation, and pollution that negatively impact people, marine biodiversity and overall environmental health. When mangroves are degraded, not only are we facing biodiversity loss, but the carbon dioxide captured by these ecosystems would be released back to the atmosphere, exacerbating an already vulnerable state of our climate. Coastal communities that rely on mangroves for food and livelihoods will face threats to their health, food security and safety from damage brought on by adverse climate events. The importance of the mangrove ecosystem cannot be over emphasized. Coming together as a community to protect them is a must. 

This is one of the overarching goals of the project, “Securing Climate-Resilient Sustainable Land Management and Progress Towards Land Degradation Neutrality in the FSM” (FSM LDN), implemented by the FSM Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management (DECEM) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office. The FSM LDN project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is a six-year initiative that works to strengthen both national and state efforts to address land degradation in terrestrial and coastal ecosystems, which includes mangroves. 

FSM LDN recognizes that to achieve this goal, we must work hand-in-hand with our local communities as partners. It is important that demonstrations on the application of integrated landscape interventions are done at the community level where members are actively engaged in planning and decision-making on best approaches to manage both agricultural and forest land as well as coastal ecosystems. Through this process, we aim to develop capacities through "learning-by-doing" and share knowledge on sustainable land management and climate smart agriculture, which also covers best restoration practices for protection of FSM’s ecosystems and biodiversity. 

At the national and state levels, FSM LDN works to strengthen strategic institutional, policy and regulatory frameworks for addressing land degradation as well as enhancing information, decision support tools and capacity through engaging representatives from line departments and agencies across the states of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. stewards of land and this rich environmental resource, the people of the FSM have a great responsibility to ensure their sustainable use and protection. Through concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including the government, local communities, civil society, and support from international organizations including UNDP, we can raise the profile of mangroves, celebrating their environmental, economic and social value.