More than 3 billion people (almost half of the world’s population) live within 200 kilometers of a coastline. By 2025 that number is expected to double. At the same time, coastal regions are experiencing environment decline, especially in developing countries. This policy brief examines how population growth, density, migration, urbanization and other factors impact coastal resources; how environmental degradation influences people’s lives; and how policymakers can integrate population and resource management issues. In particular, the brief describes how integrated coastal management (ICM) has been adopted by developing country governments and NGOs to find a balance between users of water and natural resources and long-term environmental health and sustainability.

 

This brief also highlights an integrated PHE project in the Philippines, known as People and Environment Coexistence Development Project or PESCO-DEV project. Supported by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, PESCO-Dev was implemented by Save the Children in 12 coastal fishing communities and demonstrated increases in family planning acceptance as communities improved marine conservation and expanded marine protected areas.