According to the UN Environment Programme, Blue Forests are defined as 'coastal and marine ecosystems, including mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and tidal salt marshes.' This term serves as a general reference to the various ecosystems found along coastal areas. So, what makes these ecosystems vital for marine life? 

Blue Forests function as a link between land and water, supporting biodiversity and contributing significantly to the overall health of terrestrial and marine habitats. They also act as natural barriers, protecting coastal communities from storm surges, tsunamis, rising sea levels, and erosion. 

Blue forests consist of essential components, such as mangrove trees, that play a crucial role in preserving marine biodiversity. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that thrive in tropical and subtropical regions. Acting as natural buffers, they protect coastal areas from erosion and mitigate the impact of storms, tropical cyclones, and tsunamis. The intricate root system of fully-grown mangroves provides habitat and shelter for fish and other marine species. Fully-grown mangroves are also special because they act as powerful air-cleaning machines, efficiently sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and by that contributing to mitigating the effects of climate change. 

Due to factors such as land exploitation, tourism, agriculture, shrimp cultivation, and fuelwood demand, mangroves face the threat of destruction. This deterioration of mangrove trees will have severe consequences for our planet — unless we do something about it. Through the Give One initiative, Klarna and its customers support several organizations whose core mission is to restore, protect and educate about the importance of mangroves. This includes organizations like the Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS), which works together with locals to restore 100,000 mangroves in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh, protecting wildlife and coastal communities from natural disasters. Haiti-based Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine (FoProBim) is also supported by Give One, and works with local communities to create sustainable livelihoods centered around the protection of these ecosystems. 

When it comes to the health of our seas and oceans, mangrove trees are just one part of the puzzle — other elements such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and salt marshes play an equally important role. Klarna's customers can support different ocean initiatives through donation opportunities on the Klarna platform. By participating in these donations, they can contribute directly to organizations working to restore and protect Blue Forests, making a positive impact on marine biodiversity. Support here. 

Want to find out more about the organizations Klarna and the Give One initiative support and how they are fighting for healthy oceans? Read more here.