& I will fix you...

"The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking." - Albert Einstein

When it comes to conservation, a little part of me dies inside. The future seems pretty (very, extremely) bleak. Some people try their hardest, while others simply cannot be bothered. It's tough. But I suppose, we do what we can.

Legislation, to some, may seem like a means of putting blind words into action; action that never truly addresses the root cause of issues. But the fact is, legislation makes things happen! With over 39% of mangrove shield lost between the period of 1973 & 1996, the Mangrove Trimming & Preservation Act was enacted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in 1996. It regulated the alteration of mangroves through permits & banned the use of certain chemicals on mangroves. It is predicted by FDEP that 'within 15-30 years, mangrove habitats can once again become well-established if conditions are suitable.' Although the success of such initiatives tend to be uncertain, I'd reckon it beats idly watching the depletion of mangroves & awaiting its extinction.

I'm so proud to proclaim that efforts have also been made here in Singapore as well. Organised by volunteers of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity of the National University of Singapore (NUS), the International Coastal Clean-up Singapore (ICCS) has been mobilising thousands of individuals & groups (private organisations, government bodies & institutions) across the island for clean-ups at beaches & mangroves. In fact, just last week, students from the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES), in NUS, had their annual mangrove clean-up, under the ICCS, at Lim Chu Kang. Such activities enable individuals to understand the reality & extent of mangrove pollution, & physically reduce the stress faced by mangroves (although their physical presence in the mudflats probably have some detrimental impact on the mangrove as well). I find it encouraging to know that awareness is being raised & action is being taken to ensure the conservation of mangroves in Singapore.

Perhaps, all is not loss. Perhaps, the accumulation of our individual & communal efforts to conserve mangroves will, one day, yield fruits & I shall look forward to the coming of that day! But for now, we shall do what we can!

References:

• ICCS. 2014. International Coastal Cleanup Singapore. [ONLINE] Available at:http://coastalcleanup.nus.edu.sg/aboutcleanup.html. [Accessed 15 September 14].
• FLMNH. 2003. FLMNH Icthyology Department: South Florida Aquatic Environments. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/SouthFlorida/mangrove/Conservation.html. [Accessed 15 September 14].
• Mangrove Action Project. 2014. About Us | Mangrove Action Project. [ONLINE] Available at:http://mangroveactionproject.org/about-us/. [Accessed 15 September 14].
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 2012. FDEP Office of Submerged Lands and Environmental Resources: Mangrove Coordination. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/mangroves/. [Accessed 15 September 14].