As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary in 2025, a new visual storytelling campaign invites young voices to envision humanity’s future. Titled “One Home: Shared Future” and produced by CGTN in collaboration with creators worldwide, the series spotlights stories of shared challenges and hopes across continents.
In a recent episode, Guatemalan journalist Jorge Rodriguez draws on over two decades of fieldwork across Latin America and the Caribbean to shed light on coastal barriers—specifically, mangrove forests and coral reefs that underpin traditional fishing communities.
These marine habitats are true 'barriers of life,' Rodriguez explains. 'They protect coastal populations, support fish stocks, and maintain biodiversity. But today, they face a triple threat: rising sea levels, pollution, and overfishing.'
Despite their crucial role, mangroves and coral reefs are deteriorating at an alarming pace. Rodriguez’s footage captures once-thriving forests giving way to eroded shorelines, and vibrant reefs fading into ghostly skeletons.
Rodriguez calls for global attention to coastline conservation and urges policymakers, businesses, and citizens to join forces. 'Protecting these natural barriers isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a matter of economic security and human wellbeing,' he says.
As this global campaign gains momentum, it offers a platform for young people everywhere to share their own stories and solutions. After all, safeguarding our coastlines is a shared responsibility—one that spans countries, cultures, and future generations.
Reference(s):
UN@80: Guatemalan journalist calls for protecting coastal barriers
cgtn.com
