Millions of people living along the coast and elsewhere in rural Africa are dependent upon natural resources from which they harvest unsustainably. Some coastal communities are amongst the poorest in the world and are extremely vulnerable to the potential negative effects of climate change. They have no choice but to con­tinue to use the diminishing resources upon which they depend, or face starvation.

The Sustainability Education and Skills Centres (SEAS Centres) will provide the resources to educate and teach skills of alternative and sustainable means of harvesting to coastal communities that are in most dire need.

SEAS Centres are educational and training facilities that are being developed to break the cycle of impoverishment amongst South East African coastal populations. By providing education and skills development, marginalized com­munities are enabled to lead sustainable lives, find employment and successfully contribute towards the economy.

Coastal community members will have the op­portunity to learn about the environment on which they depend and how to make sustainable choices through educational materials, information technology and practical teachings.

SEA Pledge helps grow your positive handprint

To achieve sustainable seas that are beautiful, healthy, vibrant and productive, Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) encourages us to join a cru­sade to treat the seas kindly, with respect and care.

Join this crusade by making a SEA Pledge to improve the manner in which you care for the environment, specifically the seas, estuaries, coasts and oceans. You set your own goals to reduce your negative impact (footprint) on the environment and to increase your positive impact (handprint).

SEA Pledge helps SEAS Centres achieve sustainability, create oppor­tunities, impact lives and change people€™s life choices. 50% of funds are used to develop SEAS Centres and the other 50% are used to maintain and sustain SEAS Centres. SEA Pledge encourages us to challenge ourselves and others to set realistic sustainability targets.

Help coastal communities

Every pledge positively impacts coastal com­munities€™ livelihoods, creates opportunities for sustainable income generation and con­tributes towards educational resources and teachings at SEAS Centres. Your pledge is di­rectly impacting those who would otherwise have no choice but to subsist unsustainably.

To build knowledge and support informed decisions, SST is supporting expedition and original research. To conserve biodiversity and ecosystem processes and services SST is promoting marine protected areas. To enhance public awareness and encour­age positive actions SST is producing films and educational programmes.

Send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your pledge and they will put it up on the web. Send a video of yourself making a SEA pledge or you can load your pledge onto youtube and they will add a link to it. Take a picture of you performing your pledge and submit to them via email so they can add it to the web, and be sure to include your pledge in writing.

For the monetary pledge, visit www.sst.org.za to make a financial pledge and contribute to the development of SEAS Centres.

Photo source