Increased resilience to climate change
How the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge
Helps Combat climate change
Restoring islands and their habitats stimulates new carbon sequestration through flourishing native plant life and island-ocean ecosystem processes. Carbon-rich habitats like mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes, and coral reefs are powerful blue carbon ‘sinks’ that absorb and store carbon – but only if they are protected and thriving.
The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge and its partners are assembling a global coalition to combat climate change by collaborating with funders, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, scientists, nongovernmental organizations, and governmental leaders. Together, we have the power to foster healthy, resilient, carbon-sequestering ecosystems that can provide the first line of defense against severe weather and other climate impacts.
Damaged coral reefs have been shown to heal faster when their adjacent island-marine ecosystems are restored and protected. These reefs are critical to rebuilding ecological durability and maintaining climate change resilience.
Increasing climate resilience for generations to come
Island populations are immensely vulnerable to climate change-related extreme weather. With storm surges and sea-level rise a constant threat, there’s an urgent need to restore marine-island ecosystems to protect these communities from flooding and erosion.
Indigenous Peoples have long understood and managed their natural resources in the context of island-to-sea connections. The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge prioritizes key local partnerships to reestablish the natural infrastructure unique to each island.
Collaboration with local communities is vital for an integrated, unified approach that protects livelihoods and ensures sustainability.
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