Located on Zamboanguita, a small seaside town south of Dumaguete in the Philippines, a fully accredited environmental NGO.
By using science to understand how local and global pressures impact marine ecosystems, efforts are focused on empowering communities and building local and national capacity to reduce and adapt to these challenges, aiming for a sustainable future for the people and environment of the Philippines. Coral reefs are crucial for coastal communities, providing food, income, and natural protection against storms.
Coral reefs, which support 25% of marine species, protect coastlines, sustain tourism and fisheries, and hold valuable medical potential. Essential for biodiversity and local economies, they face threats from pollution and climate change, making their conservation vital for ecosystems and human communities alike.
In addition to protecting coral reefs, efforts are also addressing ocean pollution. In the past 5–10 years, awareness has grown around the problem of marine debris, especially plastic. Although plastic waste leaks into oceans worldwide, about 55–60% of it comes from just five emerging markets. The Philippines, ranks third for marine plastic pollution, with an estimated 0.28–0.75 million tonnes of plastic entering the ocean each year—making up 5% of all ocean plastics globally.
