Phang, Wong and Ho of Malaysia in phase with several other papers in this book, place a strong emphasis on the power of society wide education, in the broadest sense of the team, to transform policy into reality. Citing an innovative economic development region in southern Malaysia, Iskandar Malaysia, they show how low carbon thought and action can embrace society: sustainable thinking becomes a household norm. With strong endorsement at the highest level of government (Prime Minister), the effect of having climate change education embedded across school curricula enables adaptation to living a low carbon life style to reach all citizens. Gangwar takes the same theme as he provides us with the humbling practical realities of handling climate extremes (serious change) in the Himalayan region of India. Here brave and effective efforts were made to spread the word on actions like minimum use of water and electricity and rejecting plastic. A mobile multimedia coach train worked to spread education for all (47 million) people of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The theme of community power and participation is powerful. Beyond S.E. Asia and Northern India we find it strongly in evidence again in the Asia-Pacific where Baba et al. report on mangrove rehabilitation in two Oceans (Pacific and Indian) and three seas (Arabian, South China and Sulu). Impressively, the Baba team pioneer a solution to establishing a mangrove ecosystem on the hardest of substrata; where white coral sand meets the Pacific at Kiribati. In the Gujarat region of India, this team selected the versatile Avicennia marina to help stabilize bare mudflats and create helpful habitats for endangered birds: in this we witness a welcome reminder that biodiversity can include both species and habitat (eco-diversity). The work also includes Sabah and the Sulu and South China Seas. Here an ambitious 11 species mangrove biodiversity project is in place. Clearly, The ISME is truly international. Noparat Bamroongrugsa amplifies the theme and wisdom of well structured community input again with an impressive case study of mangrove eco-economics in action. His paper takes us to Ban Don Bay in the Surat Thani Province of southern Thailand. This scheme features a Bio-rights model based on financial innovation and education at the local community level. San Win et al., compile a data rich account of mangrove forest decline in Myanmar and clearly illustrate, once again, the urgent need for and wisdom of the sort of multi- sector, community supported ‘Bio-rights’ model, described by Naparat Bamroongrugsa. With the crying need for solid eco-economic action, the many different institutions currently operating along Myanmar’s long mangrove supporting coastline, may have a chance to retain and regain their biodiverse ecological capital. Although terrestrial studies outnumber those from coastal ecosystems, the book keeps the mangrove biodiversity theme very much in focus with the confirmation of a unique new natural mangrove hybrid of Rhizophora. Suchitra Changtragoon et al. use advanced molecular genetic technology to confirm the morphological attributes of this hybrid. Moreover, this discovery by Sonjai Havanond, in The Sirindhorn International Environmental Park (SIEP) confirms the importance of ecosystem parks like SIEP as genetic reserve banks, which allow the expression of genetic gymnastics. The hybrid vigour displayed by the natural hybrid present mangrove ecorestoration ecologists with new and robust genetic material. Discoveries of genetic novelty like this new Rhizophora hybrid gain status and value in the Proceedings of the International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the 347 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
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