1 m² of reforestation with mangroves on the Philippine coast

Anyone who has ever stood among mangroves immediately senses their special power: these trees grow where the sea and land meet. Their roots anchor themselves in salt water and withstand the ebb and flow of the tides. In doing so, they create a unique transitional area that provides shelter for countless animals – from fish and crabs to rare birds and reptiles. Mangroves are true hotspots of biodiversity. At the same time, mangroves do extraordinary things for the climate: they store up to four times more CO₂ than tropical rainforests, making them one of the most effective natural climate protection measures (Donato et al. 2011). But these green shields are disappearing rapidly. In the Philippines, around 70 percent of the original population has already been lost (Primavera & Esteban 2008). Development, deforestation, and climate change are just a few of the many causes. People in Philippine coastal communities often live in modest circumstances and cause on average only one-sixth of the CO₂ emissions of a person in Germany (Muschter 2024). Nevertheless, they are now passionately committed to protecting and restoring this important habitat. One driving force is Marta Villafañe. She is strongly committed to the protection and reforestation of the mangrove forest ecosystem. Thanks to her, people with physical disabilities in particular are working to reforest the region. She passes on her expertise and techniques in training courses and is a strong voice for environmental protection in the region.