Description of the project: This initiative enhances women’s place in Togo’s fishing sector while conserving endangered mangroves, through the introduction of a new technique mastered by women. Across 230 villages, 1,750 women have been trained to master a new fishing technique using ropes and bait tied to mangrove trees, instead of nets. This practice enables women to stay closer to home and fish during the day, while safeguarding mangroves from being cut. Children’s nutrition has been improved via the inclusion of fish in their diet.

This issue of ICT Update looks at a few pioneering activities African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries are engaged in to mitigate and adapt to climte change.The lead article is entitled: ’Coping with climate change’, which looks at the impacts of climate change on the mangroves of American Somoa, identifying priority areas in which local capacities need to be enhanced.Three other articles are featured:Hurricanes and Hams: Discusses the role of ameteur radio can play in offering the people of Jamaica effective communication in both the lead-up and aftermath of a hurricaneDakoro Calling

Mangrove ecosystems provide important and valuable services and products to Pacific Island communities, but are under threat from changing environmental conditions. This publication highlights results and recommendations from a study determining mangrove vulnerability and how Pacific island nations can adapt to mangrove responses to climate change effects.

According to this video, Bangladesh's location makes it one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to environmental disasters. Its giant network of rivers and vast low-lying flood plains make it both fertile and subject to erosion from flood, drought and storms. Protective coastal greenbelts, in the form of natural vegetation, can make the difference between life and death during severe weather. Mangrove forests are critical to this necessary defence.

Climate change is expected to alter existing coastal habitats in Grenada, jeopardizing the island's mangroves, such as through the conversion of basin mangroves to fringe habitats as storm surges open barrier beaches, increasing tidal action and flood duration.

Likewise, incremental sea level rise and storm overwash can lead to increased salinity within coastal ponds, backwaters, and estuaries.

Each of these processes, acting alone or in concert, can greatly affect colonization by all mangrove species that occur in the region.