ENR Ambassador

06/07/2026

On the surface, this looks like land waiting to be developed.

A stretch of coastline in Iloilo City, Philippines, where many places might imagine shopping centers, condominiums, hotels, or another waterfront project.

Instead, the city told developers to step away from the shoreline.

Officials approved a policy that bans reclamation and prohibits new construction within 100 meters of the the coast, choosing to preserve mangroves rather than replace them with concrete.

The calculation is fairly simple.

When the next major storm comes looking for land, those mangroves may end up being the most valuable thing on the shoreline.

It's not every day that a city decides that building less might protect more.

26/04/2026

From securing land to growing greener, more resilient communities, the work continues beyond Luntiang Bukas.

The seedlings distributed mark a continuing effort to engage communities in environmental restoration and sustainable livelihoods.

Want to be part of it? 🌱

Check out our guide on how to join tree planting activities.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/kwnt9s5m

A Luntiang Bukas grows through collective action one community, one seedling at a time.

22/04/2026

Earth Day 2026 is a call to act now 🌿🌏

We already feel the effects of environmental challenges in our daily lives, from polluted air to unsafe water and stronger climate impacts. When protection is not strengthened, communities are affected first.

But change is always possible when people come together.

“Our Power, Our Planet” reminds us that every choice matters—when communities protect forests and watersheds, when groups lead cleanups, and when individuals make everyday choices that care for the environment. In return, a healthy planet gives us clean water, food, and protection.

The actions we take today shape the future we all share.

19/03/2026

READ │ Why Rhizophora-Dominated Mangrove Plantations May Not Save Our Coasts

Plant a mangrove, save the coast. This has become the message of countless restoration campaigns especially in the Philippines. Most of these seedlings belong to the genus 𝘙𝘩𝘪𝘻𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘢 because this species grows easily. Yet, mangrove ecosystems were never meant to be simple. Can a coastline truly recover if we rebuild forests as monocultures rather than diverse ecosystems?

Read more here: https://www.mangrovemattersph.com/post/why-rhizophora-dominated-mangrove-plantations-may-not-save-our-coasts

10/02/2026

Educating young people about the environment matters because they are not just future leaders; they are already shaping the world through their choices, voices, and values. When children learn to love and understand nature early on, they grow up with a sense of responsibility to protect it. Environmental education plants seeds of care, curiosity, and courage, empowering young people to become stewards of the planet and champions for a more just, resilient, and sustainable future. 🌏

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

27/12/2025

18/12/2025

A recent study has revealed that the Philippines’ mangrove forests rank among the most effective carbon sinks in the world, sequestering vast amounts of carbon dioxide and helping mitigate the impacts of climate change. These coastal ecosystems store carbon not only in their dense wood and foliage but also deep within the soil, making them far more efficient than many terrestrial forests. Beyond climate benefits, mangroves act as natural buffers against storm surges and coastal flooding, protecting communities and infrastructure from extreme weather events.

Researchers emphasize the critical role of mangroves in sustaining both environmental and human resilience. Despite their importance, mangrove areas face ongoing threats from urban expansion, aquaculture, and logging, which jeopardize their carbon storage capacity and flood-control functions. Conservation and restoration efforts are crucial to preserving these ecosystems, ensuring they continue to provide essential climate and disaster mitigation services for generations to come.

Science Department |