The United Nations is turning 80 in 2025 🎉 and to mark the milestone, CGTN has teamed up with creators worldwide for the "One Home: Shared Future" visual storytelling campaign. The goal? To capture young voices sharing hopes for our planet’s future 🌍
In one episode, Guatemalan journalist Jorge Rodriguez takes us on a journey through two decades of fieldwork across Latin America and the Caribbean. He’s witnessed how mangrove forests and coral reefs act as natural shock absorbers—"barriers of life"—protecting coastal communities and marine life alike 🐠. But these vital ecosystems are under threat from:
- Rising sea levels: Global warming is pushing water higher, eroding shores in places from the Sundarbans to the Philippines.
- Pollution: Single-use plastics and runoff choke corals and mangroves, hitting communities in Kerala, Jakarta and beyond.
- Overfishing: Unsustainable nets leave reefs bare and fish stocks low, affecting livelihoods in coastal villages from Borneo to Sri Lanka.
Rodriguez’s message is clear: preserving these coastal barriers is a global responsibility. They sustain traditional fishing communities and shield millions from storms and erosion. 🌪️
What can you do?
- Support local conservation groups sharing updates on social media.
- Reduce single-use plastic and choose sustainable seafood.
- Share your own vision for coastal protection with the hashtag #OneHome.
Our future depends on these frontline ecosystems. Let’s amplify Jorge Rodriguez’s call and act now to protect our shared home 🌱.
Reference(s):
UN@80: Guatemalan journalist calls for protecting coastal barriers
cgtn.com
