In 2016, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) collaborated with Stanford University’s Natural Capital (NatCap) Project and Columbia University’s Center for Climate Systems Research to propose a regional project titled “Climate-Smarting Marine Protected Areas and Coastal Management in the Mesoamerican Reef Region” to the International Climate Initiative (IKI), which is managed by the Ministry of Environment of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMU). The project was approved for implementation in May 2018 and contracted the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) to support its execution within Belize’s coastal zone and in regional coordination activities.
The objective of the regional project is to integrate climate-smart principles into marine protected area management and coastal development policies in Mesoamerican Reef countries to enhance the adaptive capacities of coastal communities in the region. The project aims to identify specific ecosystem-based adaptation options using a stakeholder-driven decision-making process that incorporates science-based tools such as ecological risk assessments and cost-benefit analyses. These tools will integrate climate change and social development scenarios, ecosystem services modelling, and green vs. grey infrastructure considerations. Implementation of adaptation measures will take place in selected coastal areas of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras while informing relevant policy and management frameworks. The project seeks to enhance knowledge and capacities at local and national levels, contribute to national adaptation policies and action plans, and disseminate best practices at relevant national and international forums.
Smart Coasts Education Podcasts
Under the regional “Smart Coasts Project”, CZMAI in partnership with WWF will start a series of Podcasts called “Are your coasts ready?” It’s stories you won’t want to miss.
These Podcasts were designed to assist with the discovery of how the weather is affecting our own lives.
Episode One: A task for Bryan
In this first episode, we will hear how being the only attendant in class, a young man from a coastal community receives a strange task from his schoolteacher. This task will change the way he sees the world around him.
Episode Two: Nothing Germinates
In this second episode, we’ll hear how Martha and Matias start a tour where they discover something is affecting the village where they live, starting with the sowing.
Episode Three: Do you believe Martin?
In this third episode, an annoyed tourism entrepreneur narrates the problems he has had to face due to climate impacts.
Episode Four: The Beach is gone
In this fourth episode, find out how the two kids discover a new incident that amazed them: the public beach has ceased to exist when talking to Ms. María!
Episode Five: HOT
In the Fifth episode, professor Luis reveals the truth behind everything that is affecting the people and tells about the origin of these changes.
Episode Six: We can Adapt
In this episode, we will discover that when talking with the teacher, Martha and Bryan realize that everything that is affecting the town will continue, but the good news is that there are solutions to adapt!
Episode Seven: Our Fathers the Heroes
In this episode, we will learn about fathers who are heroes. Listen to how Bryan’s concern is understood by his father who had already started a plan to support a group in the community. Martha says that her father had also done the same.
Episode Eight: All for the cause
In this eighth episode, we will learn that while on the beach, Martha and Bryan’s classmates, led by the teacher carry out actions so that the community can adapt with help from their environment.
Episode Nine: Voting
In this ninth episode, we will learn that the group of fishermen to which Bryan’s father belongs makes a decision that will change the further of the community.
Episode Ten: The Variations
In this tenth episode, we learn that after a few months, there are changes that surprise Professor Luis, based on the actions caused by Martha and Bryan.
Smart Coasts Learning Program
Under the regional “Smart Coasts Project”, CZMAI in partnership with WWF will be conducting a “Smart Coasts Learning Program” to socialize the impacts of climate change on small coastal communities through the “Story of a little boy named Bryan”, the son of a fisherman. Voice recordings have been aired on Love FM radio to engage the public about these issues in a creative and interactive way.
Tune in to learn about climate change impacts and win prizes during the Question and Answer segment after the airings!
Duration of the airing: October 5th, 2020 to November 30th, 2022
Time: Wednesday’s at 12:30 pm
Place: Love FM radio (99.5, 88.9, 98.1, 95.1)