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Mangroves: The forests protecting our coastlines | LSE Future Proof

Mangroves are more than trees growing between land and sea. They help protect coastlines from storms and flooding, provide habitats for fish, support coastal livelihoods and store carbon. But across the Philippines and Southeast Asia, these vital ecosystems have been cleared for aquaculture, agriculture and coastal development.
Mangroves are more than trees growing between land and sea. They help protect coastlines from storms and flooding, provide habitats for fish, support coastal livelihoods and store carbon. But across the Philippines and Southeast Asia, these vital ecosystems have been cleared for aquaculture, agriculture and coastal development.
Wednesday 14 October 2026 | 4 minutes 3 seconds
Watch on YouTubeDownload File | 452.85MB

Mangroves are more than trees growing between land and sea. They help protect coastlines from storms and flooding, provide habitats for fish, support coastal livelihoods and store carbon. But across the Philippines and Southeast Asia, these vital ecosystems have been cleared for aquaculture, agriculture and coastal development.
So, if mangroves are so valuable, why is it so difficult to fund their protection? In this episode of LSE Future Proof, we explore the role mangrove forests play in tackling climate change, protecting coastal communities, and supporting local economies.
We look at research by Alice Bian, Elizabeth Robinson exploring whether innovative financing could help unlock funding for mangrove conservation and restoration in the Philippines.
In 2026, our Future Proof series goes behind the scenes with some of LSE's sustainability experts to explore what a sustainable and resilient future could look like, and how the social sciences can help us build it. Find out more about Future Proof here.