On the occasion of Earth Day celebrated every year on April 22nd, Te mana o te moana announces the launch of the 𝐇𝐄𝐈 𝐎𝐍𝐄 “The sand crown” project. This project aims to better understand the mechanism of erosion following the results of the Tetiaroa atoll study and to raise awareness on the damages related to the overexploitation of sand
On a global scale, the erosion of sand coastlines affects a third of the planet’s coastlines and half of the world’s beaches are threatened with disappearance by 2100.
At the same time, the demand for sand has increased over the past 30 years by 360% and we are currently extracting more sand than the Earth is able to produce. Indeed, hundreds of thousands of years are needed to produce sand (between 200 years and 1,000 years to form 1cm of sand).
In January 2021, teams from Te mana o te moana in Tetiaroa carried out a study on the erosion of the main beaches identified as green sea turtle nesting sites.
The results show a considerable increase in steep slopes, considered impassable by female turtles, particularly on Honuea and Onetahi motu, with respectively 28% and 13% of the beaches becoming inaccessible to females.
Although the total area of beaches seems to have increased in the last 5 years on Tetiaroa, the newly created beaches have low altitudes, barely higher than sea level, and are therefore very easily flooded causing green sea turtle nests losses.
The 𝐇𝐄𝐈 𝐎𝐍𝐄 project focuses on the issue of erosion and sand and will include several conservation and education actions:
〰️ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 on the results of the erosion study carried out on Tetiaroa
〰️ 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 the population on the damages of erosion and sand overexploitation
〰️ 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 a public conference open to all on erosion and sand shortage
〰️ 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 and lead educational programs on erosion and sand issues in schools
We will keep you informed and share with you key information on this issue affecting our beloved Earth. 🙏🏼
Let’s act now to protect the Earth!
Partners: SA Frangipani, Richard et Mireille Bailey, Tetiaroa Society, The Brando, la famille Brando, Arue, une ville où il fait bon vivre, les enseignants et étudiants du Collège d’Arue, Te Ora Naho – FAPE, UICN, Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature (UICN), le Cluster Maritime de Polynésie et la Direction de l’Environnement Polynésie Française.
