Coastal erosion – Madagascar – RISE Our World Heritage

Synopsis:

Join Nicolas on a voyage of discovery to Madagascar, to the heart of the Sakalava people, a community fighting the effects of climate change with ingenuity and determination. Faced with the degradation of their marine and coastal ecosystems, the Sakalava are setting up Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) and restoring mangrove forests, which are invaluable for biodiversity and coastal protection.

From the air, aboard his paraglider, Nicolas flies over the newly planted mangroves and LMMAs, observing their positive impact on the surrounding ecosystems and local communities. These initiatives, combining ancestral knowledge and modern approaches, are proof that collective resilience can breathe new life into endangered ecosystems. On the ground, Nicolas shares the daily life of the Sakalava people, immersing himself in their traditions, sustainable practices and hopes for the future.

Back in France, along the Monaco coastline and around the majestic Mediterranean Sea , he wonders: how might these inspiring solutions from Madagascar guide the restoration and management of our own coastal zones? What can we learn from the relationship between the Sakalava people and their environment to better protect our coastlines from storms and rising seas?

Between aerial flights and profound encounters, this episode sheds light on the beauty and resilience of Madagascar’s coastline.

To better understand the solution and how to scale it up

SDG 14 – LIFE BELOW WATER : Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
SDG 13 – CLIMATE ACTION : Take urgent action to address climate change and its impacts
SDG 5 – GENDER EQUALITY : Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
SDG 17 – PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS : Strengthen the means to implement and revitalize the Global Partnership for Development.

CINEMA PREMIERE SCREENINGS AND IMPORTANT DATES

September 17, 2025 preview at the Champo cinema in Paris.

Preview at cinema Juliet Berto in Grenoble (soon)

Official release on Amazon Prime Video (soon)

Seen in the movie

Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy
Advocate for small-scale fishing communities

Dea n Muruv en
Water Expert, Associate Director at Boston Consulting Group

Chris Scarffe
Underwater documentary filmmaker

Frédérique Poydenot
Doctor of oceanology

Flora Vendrin
Coastal studies officer at EID Méditerranée

Stéphane Ledouaré
President of the Pays Bigouden Sud Community of Municipalities

To go further : explore the changemakers

MIHARI : Network of Locally Managed Marine Areas in Madagascar.
MIHARI is a network that brings together over 200 coastal communities across Madagascar who take direct responsibility for managing their own marine resources. These communities create locally governed marine areas, where fishing practices are adapted to protect biodiversity and ensure long-term food security.
Through knowledge sharing, community empowerment, and advocacy, MIHARI supports a model of conservation that starts with those who depend most on the ocean.

EID Méditerranée : Protection and enhancement of the coastline.
EID Méditerranée is a public agency in southern France that works to protect and restore coastal ecosystems. Through dune reinforcement, wetland preservation, and erosion control, they develop nature-based solutions to strengthen the coastline against climate change.
Their work helps preserve biodiversity while ensuring long-term protection for both nature and nearby communities.

CPIE : Permanent center of initiatives for the environment.
The CPIE Lérins & Pays d’Azur is a non-profit environmental education center based on the French Riviera. It works to raise awareness of coastal and marine ecosystems through hands-on workshops, outdoor learning, and citizen science programs for schools, families, and local communities.
They also support public authorities and local stakeholders in developing sustainable environmental policies and coastal management strategies. Their mission: to empower people of all ages to understand, respect, and protect the natural world around them.