Climate Change Adaptation Programme for Island Garden City of Samal Launched

Imagine the rhythmic lapping of waves on a powdered ivory shoreline, punctuated by the occasional rustling of coconut fronds, given life by the sea breeze. The Samal Island of today still boasts of unspoiled beaches, productive coral reefs and verdant forests. As we face a climate-defined future, however, the Samal Island of tomorrow may be a very different place.

Renowned not just for its unique name but for the extensive wealth of its natural resources, the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) faces a promising future. The ballooning population of Davao City promises millions in revenues from tourism. Unfortunately, destructive development, agricultural runoff and climate change effects have already begun to assail IGACOS’ beaches, reefs and forests – negating its differential advantage as a tourism destination.

To address this, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) with its Philippine national organization known as Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Foundation, Inc., and the local government of IGACOS are embarking on an ambitious four-year program to build-up the resilience of the region’s coastal ecosystems while identifying and reducing potential climate change-related vulnerabilities – all to improve the lives and livelihoods of native Samaleños.