Let me share the good news that Coastal 500, a global initiative with heavy Philippine participation, was named a finalist at The Earthshot Prize 2023. Only 15 finalists were chosen among 1,200 entries! The Earthshot Prize was founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation with the mission of finding the most inspiring and innovative solutions for the environment from around the world.
COASTAL 500 is a global initiative facilitated by Rare’s Fish Forever program led by Rocky Sanchez Tirona. It is the largest global network of mayors and local government leaders committed to work towards thriving, prosperous and sustainable seaside communities. There are over 160 mayors from around the world who participate in this network, with more that 60 Filipino mayors who have committed to the mission.
These leaders represent communities adjacent to coastal waters, which are high in biodiversity and critical habitats, but are under enormous pressure from climate change, overfishing, pollution and other human activity. The Coastal 500 leaders commit to protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems to safeguard ocean biodiversity, which improves the livelihoods and food security for half a billion people worldwide, while curbing climate change.
Since its inception, the Coastal 500 network has been a global leader in influencing stakeholders within the fisheries sector to ensure positive shifts in public opinion, political will and government policies impacting coastal ocean waters and coastal communities. It has also served as a valuable platform for peer-to-peer learning, technical and network support and advocacy development for coastal leaders from all over the world.
Rare, through its Fish Forever program, is the main facilitator of the Coastal 500. It works to empower coastal communities to sustainably manage coastal resources and prevent overfishing. The program has engaged over 1,700 communities across eight countries and is helping place over 5.5 million hectares of ocean water under sustainable management.
The finalists were announced last month in New York City during Climate Week. The five winners will be revealed on Nov. 7 in Singapore. Each winner will receive prize money of one million British pounds.
Together, let’s cheer Rocky, her team and the Filipino mayors on! – Bess Howe bess.howe@gmail.com