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MAP News Issue 354, December 20th, 2014


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Partnering with mangrove forest communities, grassroots NGOs, researchers and local governments to conserve and restore mangrove forests and related coastal ecosystems, while promoting community-based, sustainable management of coastal resources.

The MAP News
354th Edition                                December 20, 2014

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE (Y)OUR WORK!

 

Dear Friends of Mangroves

The time has come to pass when our actions must speak louder than words! Your continuing support has helped us maintain an active and persistent presence along the coastal belts of mangrove nations. MAP started almost 23 years ago, and has since built up an active global network, while raising public awareness about the importance of mangroves. We have long been the mangroves’ advocate, and have worked tirelessly to conserve and restore these forest wetlands. Future generations may reap the bounty of our actions and thus thank you for your timely support.
DONATE BEFORE 12-31 FOR 2014 TAX CREDIT

FEATURED STORY

MANGROVES: The Ecosystem Disappearing Faster Than Any Other on Earth
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USA – Mangroves–the uniquely salt-adapted trees and shrubs that line our tropical and subtropical coasts, the critical membrane between land and sea–are disappearing at faster rates than virtually any other ecosystem on Earth. Mangroves are some of the most productive, complex, and beneficial natural wonders of our planet. They act as filters for our water supply, reduce erosion, serve as nurseries for commercial fisheries, provide opportunities for recreation, nurture vital marine biodiversity, and can act as "carbon sinks," which reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The destruction and degradation of these natural systems–because of factors such as climate change, development, tourism, wood extraction, and non-sustainable farming–bring about tremendous ecological, social, and economic losses, the extent of which we are only now just realizing. But there is hope for mangroves. The world is starting to notice just how important they are and is beginning to take steps to prevent further loss. READ MORE
 
AFRICA
 
Full Economic Potential of Carbon-Rich Mangroves Remains Untapped
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KENYA – The economic and social benefits of mangroves – which are estimated to run into the hundreds of billions worldwide – remain largely untapped due to a lack of carbon finance mechanisms, appropriate policy interventions, and rapid mangrove deforestation, according to a new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report. UNEP estimates the economic cost of the destruction of carbon-rich mangroves, which are being cleared 3 – 5 times faster than terrestrial forests, at $42 billion in economic damages annually. The Guiding Principles for Delivering Coastal Wetland Carbon Projects finds that the potential economic, social and environmental gains from conserving mangroves – 90 per cent of which are found in developing countries and many of which are under threat – including from mangrove inclusion in Reducing Emissions from Deforestations and forest Degradation (REDD+) strategies and protecting and enhancing mangrove stores of carbon, still remain largely under-exploited. READ MORE
 
ASIA
 
Phulbari Stands its Ground Against Dirty Coal
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BANGLADESH – London-based multinational company, GCM Resources Plc, is desperately moving to implement an immense open pit coal mine in northwest Bangladesh, forcibly displacing an estimated 130,000 people and destroying the homes, lands, and water sources of as many as 220,000 people.  On November 26, 2014, the company’s CEO, Gary Lye, attempted to conduct consultation with locals in Phulbari and was met with angry crowds.  “He had to leave the town in two hours. Locals have attacked his car and ransacked his office,” related Anu Muhammad, Member Secretary of Bangladesh National Committee.  “The whole self of Phulbari is fighting for their land, homes and lives. People of all classes including farmers, business entrepreneurs, rikshaw-pullers, teachers and house wives have taken to the street… The Mayor of the Phulbari Borough, the Chairman of Phulbari Upazilla and the Business Entrepreneurs have all come to consensus that they will fight against GCM’s proposed project… [this] suggests that Asia Energy’s [GCM’s local subsidiary] day has ended in true terms. Phulbari has embraced to resist open pit mine,” he continued. READ MORE
 
The Sundarbans in big trouble
Sundarbans oil Spill 2014
BANGLADESH – The Sundarbans is now facing a major environmental disaster, after a vessel carrying over 350,000 litres of furnace oil capsized in Sela River, as spill particularly jeopardises a dolphin sanctuary, the local food chain and the entire local ecology. With various authorities, who neither have the experience nor the capability to handle such a case, trying to pass the responsibility on to each other instead of making a move, the situation is getting worse by the minute since the capsize took place in the early hours yesterday. As of filing of this report around 15 hours after the incident, no sign of a rescue operation was reported in the area. “Oil tanker Southern Star Seven was anchored in the river because of dense fog. It capsized around 6am at a place inside the Chandpai Range under West Zone when another empty tanker named MT Southern hit it because of poor visibility,” Amir Hossain Chowdhury, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans, told the Dhaka Tribune READ MORE
 
Call to close Sundarbans river route
BANGLADESH – The river route through the Sundarbans must be closed permanently. There is no guarantee that a worse accident won't take place in future and more oil will be spilled in the forest. Also, the government bodies had no preparation to deal the accident that occurred on Tuesday. Short term and long term preparations must be taken from now to ensure their failure is not repeated. This was stated by Sundarban researchers and environmental experts at a roundtable on 'Sundarbans in great danger: immediate measures'. Prothom Alo arranged the roundtable at its Kawran Bazar office yesterday, Sunday.The speakers criticised shipping minister Shahjahan Khan for his contention that the oil spill would not harm the Sundarbans. They said that already crabs, dolphins and other animals have begun to die. The accident will have a long term impact on Sundarbans' biodiversity and genetic resources. Integrated efforts are needed to ensure the Sundarbans does not face any such danger again. They advised the government to take stock of the damages done to the world heritage site by this accident. READ MORE
 
The Mekong River means life: stop the Don Sahong Dam
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VIETNAM – The Mekong River is the mother of all Southeast Asian rivers, providing life-sustaining resources to millions of people. The future of the Mekong and her people are in jeopardy, however. The government of Laos plans to build the Don Sahong Dam – the second dam proposed for construction on the Lower Mekong mainstream – on the main pathway in the Mekong that allows for year-round fish migration. If built, the Don Sahong Dam will entirely block the Hou Sahong Channel, endangering fish migration throughout the region, with far-reaching consequences for food and livelihood security in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. Lives in this area and throughout the Mekong are intricately entwined with the river that provides an identity and rich history, as well as a source of income and food security. The planned site of the Don Sahong Dam is a unique section of the Mekong River, home to one of the last remaining populations of critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins as well as the iconic Khone Phapheng waterfalls, and near an internationally protected Ramsar wetland site in downstream Cambodia. READ MORE
 
AMERICAS
 
Study warns of the dangers of ignoring rights in climate change negotiations
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PERU – Against the backdrop of the twentieth Conference of the Parties (CoP20) underway in Lima, Peru this week, the new report provides alarming evidence of serious rights violations associated with deforestation, and first-hand community testimony of the impact of environmental destruction on the wellbeing and cultural survival of forest-dependent communities. It highlights recommendations from indigenous peoples to support community-led initiatives to address deforestation in their own territories. ‘Securing Forests, Securing Rights’, released here for the first time, was compiled following research and investigations conducted by more than sixty indigenous and forest communities from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Convening in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, in March 2014, rights holders themselves spoke independently of the direct and indirect drivers of forest loss and shared their own assessments of the grave human rights violations and atrocities facing their communities and lands. READ MORE
 
 
Coral communities in mangrove habitats suggest a novel refuge from climate change
USA – Risk analyses indicate that more than 90% of the world's reefs will be threatened by climate change and local anthropogenic impacts by the year 2030 under "business-as-usual" climate scenarios. Increasing temperatures and solar radiation cause coral bleaching that has resulted in extensive coral mortality. Increasing carbon dioxide reduces seawater pH, slows coral growth, and may cause loss of reef structure. Management strategies include establishment of marine protected areas with environmental conditions that promote reef resiliency. However, few resilient reefs have been identified, and resiliency factors are poorly defined. READ MORE

LAST WORD(S)

Dear Colleagues,
 
The UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) are excited to announce the launch of the first Unit of a unique 10-Unit open access, self-paced online course all about mangrove ecosystems and their management.
 
Unit 1 consists of 5 lessons and introduces students to mangroves and provides a brief description of their basic characteristics, evolution, distribution, importance and status.
 
The following 9 units will be launched over the coming months and cover topics such as mangrove ecology, diversity of flora and fauna, climate change, ecosystem-based adaptation and risk reduction, restoration and management tools, economic valuation tools, and policies and laws.
 
Unit 1 can be accessed at Conservation Training and is open access. It only requires registration with the Conservation Training platform.  For more information, also to enroll please CLICK HERE
 
Hanneke Van LavierenÂ
Consultant
Hogebiezendijk 31
3401 RS IJsselstein
The Netherlands
Email: hanvanlav@gmail.com
Mobile: +1-(0)6-57802410 or +1-(0)6-57819621

 

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Action Alerts:
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MAP’s annual fundraising drive on now! READ MORE

The Mekong River means life: stop the Don Sahong Dam SIGN THE PETITION

The importance of mangroves to people: A call to action CLICK HERE

UK National Contact Point final statement on a complaint against a UK company developing plans for coal mining in Bangladesh CLICK HERE
                     
MARVELLOUS MANGROVES IN BRAZIL
En Portuges
 
MAP VOLUNTEER Statement of Qualifications CLICK HERE

WORLD WETLANDS DAY IS FEB 2, 2015 – MORE HERE
 
Mamelo Honko Women's Association Update – your support has helped – VIEW REPORT

Shrimp is the most consumed seafood in America, but how much do we really know about the shrimp we’re eating? Click here to call on the President’s task force to support seafood traceability and other strong measures to fight IUU fishing and seafood fraud – the task force is running out of time so act now!

Development Coordinator Wanted
MAP is seeking a creative, energetic, and environmentally aware development coordinator to support administrative work and the QYS campaign in Seattle, Washington. READ MORE

FREE MAP Mangrove e-cards CLICK HERE
FREE Mangrove E-cards

MAP’s e-Cards offer you a unique way to spread the word about MAP’s good works, while sharing beautiful photographs of the mangroves
Information sheds clear light on shrimp-mangrove connection
Question Your Shrimp
SEE DETAILS MANGROVE/SHRIMP
CALLING FOR MANGROVE ART SUBMISSIONS!
A fun and exciting Art Contest for children 6 to 16 years old. We invite all primary school children from tropical and sub-tropical nations, and whose schools are located near mangroves, to create art telling us “why mangroves are important to my community and me?”. Selected winners will be published in a 2016 calendar to be distributed internationally to raise awareness of mangrove forest ecology.  READ MORE

SHARE MAP'S VISION 
CLICK HERE to watch short introductory video. Together we can work "at the roots of the sea". 

Join us in saving our beautiful country!
We hope you have been following the ongoing battle in Bimini, Bahamas.
We are in need of your help more than ever
Click here
 
Exclusive Interview with Alfredo Quarto, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Mangrove Action Project – See more
  
MAP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN THAILAND VIEW REQUIREMENTS

Order your 2015 Calendar
Mangrove Calendar 2015 FRONT 2
1-20 calendars, $12 each plus shipping
21-49 calendars, $10 ea plus shipping
50-100 calendars, $8 each plus shipping.
Over 100 $7 each plus shipping

Save the Sundarbans from Rampal power plant – View Sample Letter to Minister
Sign the Petition
 

Question Your Shrimp- Don't Buy or Sell Imported Tropical Shrimp! Sign the Petition

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It’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.
 
—Mahatma Gandhi

Green Planet Fundraising Assists MAP – LEARN MORE


MANGROVE ISSUES 

View New Videos posted by MAP Asia intern, Delphine. CLICK HERE
The importance of restoring mangroves in an effective, long-term manner. Mangrove video – VIEW

Please view our new video for our Question Your Shrimp Consumer/Markets Campaign! It is now on our website under the Question Your Shrimp section heading. WATCH VIDEO

Mangrove Restoration in Asia – Watch Short Video
Mosaic of Life 
READ A MOSAIC OF LIFE” Peek into the underwater world of mangroves, "womb of the sea." By Liz Cunningham Photos By Wes Matweyew and Liz Cunningham

View MAP’s uploaded Videos at MAPmangrover’sChannel
 


Marvellous Mangroves

MAP%20Curriculum%20Video
Marvellous Mangroves – A Curriculum-Based Teachers Guide.

FOR MORE ON MAPs AWARD WINNING CHINA MANGROVE CURRICULUM VISIT
Education in the Mangroves - China
VIMEO SHOW

VISIT OUR "MM" WEBPAGE

Check out our presentation for more details on Marvellous Mangroves

“Education In The Mangroves" can now be seen on the  PhotoPhilanthropy website here!

Read this 10 page history of the development of MAP’s educational curriculum VIEW DOCUMENT
 
Article in Canada's Green Teacher Magazine – Read More


"Question Your Shrimp" Campaign

Learn more about the affects of the shrimp industry on mangroves by visiting our blog

Editor’s Note: Mangrove Action Project’s Executive Director, Alfredo Quarto was interviewed about shrimp by Green Acre Radio’s Martha Baskin

LISTEN TO INTERVIEW


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