The animation illustrates the growing importance of mangroves to the health of the planet; storing in some cases 5x more carbon than inland rainforests, being an integral link between land and ocean, adapting to sea level rise, protecting and producing for coastal communities, and helping to mitigate climate change. These unique and critical ecosystems need protecting and restoring. We at Mangrove Action Project are taking a truly grassroots, bottom-up approach to mangrove conservation and restoration issues. Our approach involves and includes the voices of the global South, local communities, and their partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs). MAP is unique in that it acts as a sort of megaphone, amplifying the voice of the coastal fishers in matters of relevance and importance to their lives. MAP also acts as a vital foot bridge or link between the global North and South on issues of over-consumption, deforestation, marine conservation, and human rights, as well as addressing such present day crises as climate change and sea level rise.