The UN calls for greater preservation efforts for mangroves, which help protect coastlines and mitigate the effects of climate change.

As sea-levels rise and weather-related threats continue to increase, opportunities emerge for people and local governments to build “living shorelines” designed to reduce risk to communities and infrastructure from flooding and storm surge, while often providing the ecosystem benefits of habitat.

New comprehensive Guidelines for Measuring and Valuing the Coastal Protection Services of Mangroves and Coral Reefs make clear that Mangroves and coral reefs provide significant coastal protection benefits. 

Environmental damage and a disease affecting coconut trees have affected Mozambique's economy, which is highly reliant on products and services derived from healthy ecosystems. It is estimated that nationwide, over 82 percent of jobs depend on natural resources and that natural capital contributes up to 50 percent of GDP.