Mangroves — shrub and tree species that live along shores, rivers and estuaries — are a cost-effective solution to tackling the climate crisis, according to Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the assistant secretary general of the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep).
They are seen as a nature-based solution to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution and waste. Nature-based solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage or restore natural ecosystems, that address climate change, inadequate human healthcare, food and water security and disaster risk reduction.
Mangroves, for example, can reduce the effects storms have on humans and provide habitats for fish, birds and plants.
“Nature-based solutions have the potential to achieve the sustainable development goals and at Unea-5, we made it clear that we need to put these solutions at the core of our work,” said Mrema, the UN deputy executive director. She was speaking at the opening of the sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly (Unea-6) in Kenya on Monday.
One of the key practical ways in which nature-based solutions are possible is the rejuvenation of mangrove trees in wetlands. Kenya, known for its mangrove habitats, represents about 3% of natural forest cover, covering more than 60 000 hectares of land near its coast.
Mangroves are known for their ability to improve water quality and help countries adopt a cost-effective solution to the climate crisis. But they are being destroyed, Mrema said.
“Mangroves are being degraded, even though they have proven to be a barrier against pollution and other related climate challenges and Kenya has been working with organisations to rejuvenate mangroves in different areas along the coast.”
A visit by the Mail & Guardian to the Kenyan coast town of Malindi, organised by Unep, showed how efforts to conserve mangroves had improved.
In recent decades, Malindi has experienced a surge in population that has taken a toll on the estuary, which comprises mangroves, sandbanks, dunes and freshwater pools.
Residents have cleared the mangroves that once covered the banks of the estuary but Sabaki Estuary, a conservation nonprofit, said its efforts to rejuvenate the mangrove trees have helped educate the people about climate change.
The area is now being used for the benefit of the residents, with young men fishing and older women planting mangrove buds as part of the rejuvenation process.
