ACCESS4ALL Group

The mangrove restoration case study from the Philippines is similar to what many Nigerian communities go through. Climate change is making natural disasters more severe in both countries. Drought, high heat, coastal erosion, and flooding are common natural disasters in Nigeria. These occurrences has become more frequent and intense due to climate change. While northern states suffer from drought and desertification, coastal regions of the Niger Delta are especially susceptible to erosion and flooding. Due to their reliance on natural resources, low-income households, farmers, and fishermen are the communities most impacted. They frequently lose their homes, crops, income, and access to essential services when disasters strike. Many communities employ local solutions, such as planting and preserving mangroves and enhancing drainage, to address these issues. When disasters occur, they often lose their homes, crops, income, and access to basic services.

To cope with these challenges, many communities use local solutions such…

The case of mangrove restoration in the Philippines is very relevant to Ghana because both countries have coastal communities that depend heavily on fisheries, wetlands, and natural ecosystems for their livelihoods. In the Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan exposed how the destruction of mangroves increased community vulnerability to storm surges. In Ghana, the situation is similar in coastal areas such as Keta, Ada, Anlo, Moree, Shama, Axim, Cape Three Points, and parts of Greater Accra, where communities face coastal erosion, tidal waves, flooding, sea-level rise, and declining fish stocks.

The main difference is that Ghana does not experience typhoons in the same way as the Philippines. Ghana’s common natural hazards include floods, droughts, rainstorms, windstorms, tidal waves, bushfires, and coastal erosion. Climate change is making these risks worse through rising sea levels, more intense rainfall, changing rainfall patterns, heat stress, and pressure on agriculture and fisheries. Coastal communities, farming households in the…

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, a Coast Salish tribe located on a vulnerable, low-lying reservation in Skagit County, Washington, self-identifies profoundly as the "Salmon People" (Davis, 2013). Facing severe threats from sea-level rise, shoreline erosion, and warming river temperatures that deplete native salmon populations, the Swinomish became pioneers by launching their own Climate Adaptation Action Plan (Davis, 2013; Donatuto et al., 2014).

1. Represents Community Values

Traditional Western adaptation strategies heavily emphasize economic impacts and structural infrastructure, such as building seawalls (Dodman & Mitlin, 2011). The Swinomish plan stands out because it treats cultural and community health as inseparable from environmental health (Donatuto et al., 2014). The plan was custom-built around the tribe's deeply held relationship with natural resources, prioritizing the protection of traditional first foods (salmon, shellfish) and sacred cultural sites over pure real-estate metrics.

2. Adequately Assesses Vulnerability

The plan did not rely solely on top-down, generalized climate models. Instead,…

In the five villages of Borkona Godabanne Chora Adam, the Chakma people face declining rainfall, rising temperatures, and shrinking water levels. Their lifeline—the Godabanne Chora stream—supports irrigation and fish farming, but climate change threatens both ecosystems and livelihoods.

A recent project has strengthened the community’s adaptive capacity. By introducing sustainable crop varieties, improved farming practices, and better water collection, it directly addressed climate challenges. Training in alternative income sources reduced pressure on natural resources, while biodiversity conservation safeguarded long-term ecological health.

The project reflects community values of harmony with nature and meets immediate needs for food, water, and livelihoods. Vulnerability was recognized, though deeper assessments of women and poorer households could add inclusivity. While not explicitly focused on conflict resolution, diversifying income helped reduce potential disputes over scarce resources.

This initiative represents a strong step toward resilience—rooted in community values, tackling climate challenges, and building the capacity to thrive in…