Comparing restoration efforts in the Philippines and Zimbabwe
In the Philippines, the removal of mangrove forests made coastal areas highly vulnerable to flooding and storm surges, especially during typhoons. Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of these floods, affecting low-lying coastal regions the most. Fishing communities and coastal villages are the most affected because mangroves once protected their homes and livelihoods. In response, communities began replanting mangroves as a long-term restoration strategy, which helps reduce flooding and restore marine ecosystems. The government and local NGOs support these efforts through funding, education, and the supply of mangrove seedlings.
In Zimbabwe, climate change has caused heat waves and shifting seasons, leading to droughts and unreliable rainfall that severely impact agriculture and rural livelihoods. Small-scale farmers are the most affected because they depend on rain-fed farming for food and income. Unlike mangrove restoration, solutions are less straightforward, as measures such as boreholes, cloud seeding and irrigation do not stop heat waves. Communities cope by planting drought-resistant crops, adjusting planting times, conserving water and using traditional knowledge. The government, NGOs, and international organizations provide support through food aid, climate-smart farming training, irrigation projects and early warning systems. In both countries, climate change clearly increases the severity and occurrence of these events, deeply affecting people and ecosystems