As coastlines continue to be developed rapidly across the world, more and more natural ecosystems like marshes, mangroves, and coral reefs are being destroyed. These wetlands are massively important as they not only help sequester carbon emissions, but also work to protect us from catastrophes like the recent hurricanes that hit the Caribbean and the United States. In a recent study, researchers found that natural wetlands prevented more than $625 million in direct property damages during Hurricane Sandy by buffering coasts against its storm surge. With climate change fueling more powerful hurricanes, it seems even more imperative that we protect our wetlands.
Wetlands are an effective defense against hurricanes that we can’t afford to lose
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