I am excited to introduce a new program that integrates our work on tsunami hazards with climate impacts in a coastal fishing/farming community in the Philippines. A key focus of the program is on nature-based solutions, particularly the use of mangroves as a natural barrier against tsunamis and other coastal hazards amplified by climate change.
Leading this important work is our Project Manager, Dr. Mary Antonette ("Tonette") Beroya-Eitner, who brings experience in climate change and natural hazards. Dr. Beroya-Eitner, native to the Philippines, joined GHI last year, and her experience and expertise are vital to this work. She shares details below.
Veronica Cedillos, GHI President & CEO
________________________________________________________________________
Coastal communities are exposed to various geologic and climate-related hazards like tsunamis, typhoons, storm surges, coastal erosion, sea level rise, and floods. Thus, they are on the front line of climate change impacts. Across the globe, many of these communities lack access to disaster resilience resources other than those provided by nature.
Mangroves as a natural shield and provider
Mangroves—which typically grow along coastlines and tidal rivers—can serve as communities’ first line of defense against various coastal hazards. Wetlands International and The Nature Conservancy found that mangroves can reduce:*
Tsunami height by 5-30% over several hundred meters of mangroves
Wind and swell wave height by 13-66% over 100 m of mangroves
Storm surge water levels by 5-50 cm per km of mangroves
Mangroves are an assemblage of plants that grow along shores, rivers, and estuaries in the tropics and subtropics. Global Mangrove Watch estimated 147,359 km2 of mangrove forest cover globally in 2020. They are currently threatened by human pressures including coastal development, conversion to aquaculture and agriculture, pollution, and climate change.
But not only do mangroves protect. They also give.
As the “rainforest of the sea” they are one of the world’s most productive ecosystems, delivering value through habitat and nursery to fisheries, timber and plant products, and water purification. Sadly, mangroves are one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems.
GHI’s nature-based solutions program
In December 2023, we launched the Building Tsunami Resilience under a Changing Climate in Mangrove Communities program in a pilot community, Barangay Quilitisan, a village of mostly farmers and fisherfolk in the Philippines. Our program aims to equip and empower local leaders and community partners with knowledge, skills, and tools to reduce their risks from tsunamis and climate change-induced disasters. This ongoing program emphasizes strong community engagement and co-development of ideas and strategies to chart a way forward.
Community-based, science-informed mangrove management
We trained people to use simple, scientific methods for assessing and monitoring the mangroves and environs: collecting baseline data, establishing permanent monitoring points, and evaluating factors that may support or hinder mangrove growth and propagation.
We quantified the capacity of present mangroves to attenuate waves, based on mapping and data gathered by the people. This helps the community to not only understand this asset’s protective value but also feel part of the process. Our technical team includes an engineering geologist, a marine ecologist, and a geologist. Initial assessments informed the course of the community’s mangrove conservation actions.
Training the community on simple, scientific methods for assessing and monitoring the mangroves and environs.
Complementary resilience measures
In addition to supporting mangrove conservation efforts, we are working with the Barangay community to increase their preparedness for disaster events in a way that enhances engagement and fosters local ownership.
Through exchange sessions, local people shared insights and stories about their perceptions of the community’s exposure to tsunami and climate-related hazards, how climate change is manifesting in their area, and existing mitigating measures. Local leaders and participants explored ways forward in topic-based workshops. These sessions and workshops are informing policy change that integrates nature-based solutions into the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Plan and enhances it to be tsunami- and climate change-informed.
With our partner, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), we are also helping Barangay Quilitisan take steps to be a Tsunami Ready Community, with the community's desire to become the first in the Philippines. Upcoming activities include: co-developing a tsunami evacuation plan with the community and conducting tsunami evacuation drills.
Enthusiastic sharing sessions aiming to align people’s perception of risks and mitigation with current scientific understanding.
The birth of the Mangrove Warriors
Community and stakeholder feedback indicates that our participatory process and quantitative approach have led to greater appreciation of the value of their natural coastal capital and boosted interest in protecting mangroves.
One exciting result is the recently-formed, locally-led “Mangrove Warriors”, a group initiative created by youth participants that was sparked during a project workshop. Participants mainly include students and teachers from local high schools and universities.
Launched on September 7, the Mangrove Warriors organized with the goal to raise awareness on mangroves’ role as a protective shield against coastal hazards and nurturer of life. They are developing information and education materials for dissemination through social media and school events. In so doing, they intend to attract more warriors committed to the cause.
“Mangrove Warriors” meeting where members shared a slogan they created.
We are truly grateful to our Philippine project team for putting science into action and for their deep commitment to GHI’s vision of disaster-resilient communities. We are also incredibly thankful to our partners and donors for their considerable efforts and support for the program.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Mary Antonette Beroya-Eitner
Project Manager
*Spalding M, McIvor A, Tonneijck FH, Tol S, and van Eijk P (2014), "Mangroves for Coastal Defence," Guidelines for Coastal Managers & Policy Makers, Published by Wetlands International and The Nature Conservancy.
GeoHazards International
Comments