Wycliffe Leads Charge in Mangrove Initiative
Science predicts that ecocatastrophes impact climate change more than the headline-grabbing felling of the rainforests. It is reported that hectare for hectare, coastal ecosystems store far more carbon than the lushest jungle.
The Ministry of Waterways and Environment, launched the first of its Mangrove Nurseries (part of its Mangrove Restoration Programme) on Tuesday to mark the 2020 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Waterways and Environment Joshua Wycliffe said protecting and restoring of mangrove swamps, not only would store more carbon emissions but would greatly contribute to the halting of our biodiversity loss.
Mr Wycliffe reiterated that the launch of the mangrove nursery is to raise awareness and demonstrate the need for action in addressing the greatest threat of our time- climate change!
He said the Department of Environment through this programme would also be contributing to Fiji’s goal of “net-zero carbon emissions by 2050” - as mangroves are highly efficient carbon sinks and sequestrate carbon ten times more than terrestrial forests.
Mr Wycliffe said the Department of Environment would be setting up more mangrove nurseries across the country.
The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove
Ecosystem is celebrated annually on July 26 to raise awareness of the importance of mangroves as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem”.
The ministry’s goal is to promote mangrove systems as an integral part of the Nature Based Solutions (NBS) in Fiji.