Planning a trip to Madagascar? - 334

Madagascar is a large island nation off the southeast coast of Africa. It is the fourth largest island in the world, with 32 million people, most of whom identify religiously as Christians.

Its economy is primarily centered on agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining. Much of the mining is done to export nickel and cobalt, two minerals essential for clean energy. 

Interestingly, half the world's sapphires come from Madagascar, and 80% of the world's vanilla.

Despite these riches, 29 million people, or 92% of the population, live in poverty.

But there is a hint of economic optimism. The tourist business is increasing because of Madagascar's unique plants, animals, and marine life. It specializes in ecotourism. Before the pandemic, Madagascar saw 486,000 tourists in a year. They hope to earn back these eco-tourists, which greatly boosts their economy.

Why ecotourism in Madagascar? If you go to Madagascar, you will see plants and animals seen nowhere else. While walking through unique forests only found in Madagascar, 82% of the plants you look at are only found there. You may have seen pictures of the magnificent and iconic Baobab trees with their massive trunks and bottle-like shape.

Living within the forests of Madagascar are animals like the Lemurs, which are also found only on Madagascar. In fact, 85% of the animals on the island are found nowhere else.

Scientists estimate that it would take Earth 32 million years to recreate this astounding variety of plants and animals if the climate remained conducive to life.

Unfortunately, the climate is worsening, and the biomes unique to the island are at particular risk. If the tropical forests are warmed further, they may slip into savannah landscapes or, worse yet, deserts. Already, the many special fruit-producing trees do not produce as much because they have warmed. This underproduction of natural food puts pressure on the native animals and people.

Madagascar is taking steps to address climate change, including the hard physical work of planting more of its beloved native trees.

However, as an island nation that relies on fish for a substantial portion of its protein, marine restoration and climate-protecting measures are being implemented.

As the oceans rise and typhoons intensify, the race is on to keep the shorelines from washing into the sea. The natural way to combat shoreline destruction is to plant hardy mangrove trees. Mangroves act as natural flood defenses, protecting against sea-level rise and coastal erosion. They also trap carbon, so the local people  are planting more mangroves.

In some places they must build barriers out into the sea from the beaches to check erosion and drifting.  These hardened structures like seawalls are called groynes and prevent the beach from washing away.   slow the erosion.

To protect their seafood resources, they are building marine nursing sanctuaries to promote marine life. These nurseries are actually coral reefs, which are having a hard time surviving the rising temperatures and acidifying oceans due to carbon dioxide pollution.

Madagascar has also taken the initiative to protect another carbon sequester, seagrass meadows. Since sea turtles are a huge tourist draw, this effort will have a mighty economic payback.

These efforts are crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving Madagascar's unique coastal ecosystems.

Recognizing the unique ecosystem Madagascar offers the world, and the threat climate change poses to it, the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, has provided guidance and funding to Madagascar to adapt to climate change while waiting for the heavy polluters like Europe, China, and especially the United States, to make the critical transition to clean energy.

Madagascar has committed itself to climate survival on a lean budget. The average monthly income of a Madagascan is $44 USD per month. They are the poorest people on the planet.

The recent election of Donald Trump will enshrine policies certain to speed the destruction of the planet (but save a little money in the short term). It was made by US voters who, make on average, $4,949 USD per month.

The phrase "The poor shall inherit the earth" is a variation of a biblical verse from the Beatitudes in the New Testament. Specifically, it comes from Matthew 5:5, which states, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." This verse is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and emphasizes humility and meekness as virtues that will be rewarded.

    We can only hope and pray now.   In the meantime, plan a trip to Madagascar.

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