The Connected Mangroves - Malaysia team carrying out the project
Today, Ericsson was announced as one of the 13 winners of a United Nations climate change award for a ground-breaking technology project in Malaysia that uses sensors to provide near real-time information to restore dwindling mangrove plantations. Known as the Connected Mangroves project, it is the first of its kind in the world that combines cloud, machine-to-machine and mobile broadband to help the local community in Selangor, Malaysia, to better manage the growth of new mangrove saplings.
Any real-time information about soil and weather conditions, fires, water levels and any intrusion from third parties are monitored, compiled and sent to the cloud system where farmers, NGOs, analysts and authorities can ensure positive growth and rehabilitation of eroded coastlines.
“The Connected Mangroves project addresses the need to protect an important part of the ecosystem of the nearly 3,000 miles of coastline in Malaysia. By combining ICT innovation with collaborative partnerships that are built on a shared vision, we now see a higher percentage of the mangrove saplings will most likely reach maturity. In addition, through this Internet of Things (IoT) solution, the community has been empowered to use data to manage their environment and take action to support the mangroves – and their community – to thrive,” said Todd Ashton, President, Ericsson Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
Mangroves are a vital part of Malaysia’s ecosystem, protecting villages near coastlines and river banks from environmental risks and they are one of the most effective trees in the world for soaking up the carbon dioxide that generates dangerous climate change.
“To avert dangerous tipping points in the climate system, global emissions must peak as soon as possible and then be driven down drastically. A balance must be achieved in the second half of this century between global emissions and removals through sequestration into ecosystems or through other means. Mangroves are a key natural ally in this objective and this project shows what a smart approach can do to conserve, restore and expand these crucial nature-based services,” said Nick Nuttall, UNFCCC Spokesperson.
The Momentum for Change initiative is spearheaded by the UNFCCC secretariat to shine a light on some of the most innovative, scalable and replicable examples of what people are doing to address climate change. Today’s announcement is part of wider efforts to mobilize action and ambition as national governments work to implement the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
NGO estimates show that only 40% of mangrove saplings have been able to reach maturity in recent years. But pilot results from the project show an improvement of 50% in their mortality rate. Phase 1 of the project involved a pilot of 200 seedlings and Phase 2 will have 1000 seedlings. The team’s ambition is to plant a total of 10000 seedlings.
The “Connected Mangroves” project is a shining example of how ICT and mobility can be used together to restore dwindling mangrove plantations and thus help absorb carbon emissions while protecting residents from natural disasters such as flooding.
Together with the other winning projects, it will be showcased at a series of special events during the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, Morocco (7-18 November 2016).
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