National

Climate Change: Mangroves and Coral Reefs are Our First Line of Defense

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – BREEF Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert says we’ve already seen the impact of a major climate-fueled hurricane: Hurricane Dorian.

Published

3 years ago

December 20, 2023

Megan Shepherd

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Climate change and all of its negative impacts continue to be a major concern for our low-lying nation. According to the Executive Director of The Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation, BREEF Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, we have already seen the impact of one major climate-fueled hurricane: Hurricane Dorian.

Noting the overwhelming financial institute, she echoes the prime minister’s calls for more climate funding.

Exactly why are mangroves to important to the fight? Well, McKinney-Lambert breaks it down.

Coral reefs also create a first line of defence.

When you drive past the ocean and see waves breaking, they are doing so against coral reefs. She says when those reefs are destroyed, those waves now move inland, impacting surrounding homes and communities.

Mckinney-Lambert says serious action must be taken to take care of the ecosystems that take care of us. She is calling on those that destroy the environment to take financial responsibility for its restoration.