After receiving an inspiring array of submissions from across the world, from the Netherlands to China, Brazil, Mexico, and beyond, the organizing committee of the “Coastal Visions” Global Coastal Photography Award is thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s competition.

Jointly launched by Future Earth Coasts (FEC), the Mega-Delta Programme of the UN Ocean Decade, and CROSS Coastz of the UN Science Decade, this global initiative invited photographers, scientists, and citizens to capture the vitality and future of coasts through their lens. Each image tells a story of coexistence between people and the sea, the dynamic power of nature, and the urgent need to sustain our coastal environments.

After careful review and deliberation, here are the winners of the 2025 “Coastal Visions” Award:

🥇1st Place

• Title: Coastal Energy
  Author: Roos Daemen
  Date Taken: September 15, 2025
  Location: Scheveningen, The Netherlands
• Description: Scheveningen, one of the Netherlands’ most iconic beaches, comes alive under powerful gusts of 50 km/h. As windsurfers and kitesurfers embrace the raw energy of the sea, the scene captures humanity’s enduring dialogue with nature—absorbing, adapting, and harmonizing with its force.

• Title: Tidal Trace
  Author: Xiang Qiu
  Date Taken: August 28, 2024
  Location: Sunshine Coast Greenway, Rizhao, Shandong Province, China
• Description: When the tide recedes, a magnificent tree-like pattern emerges on the sand—nature’s artwork shaped by tidal and land flows. “Tide” and “Trace” together symbolize movement, memory, and reflection, offering endless space for imagination and interpretation.

🥈 2nd Place

• Title: Facing the Storm
  Author: Matilde Stolfa
  Location: Wadden Sea, The Netherlands
• Description: Part of the “Shifting Tides” series, this photo captures scientists conducting fieldwork in the Dutch Wadden Sea as a storm approach. It’s a tribute to the perseverance behind climate and ecological research—where data begins with dedication in the field.

• Title: Christmas
  Author: Matteo Convertino
  Location: Kouri Island, Okinawa, Japan
• Description: A close-up of a Christmas tree worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) reveals the dazzling hues of marine life—a vivid testament to the beauty and health of coral ecosystems.

• Title: Tree and Floating Boat
  Author: Li Yang
  Location: Bailique Archipelago, Amazon River Estuary, Brazil
• Description: A solitary tree reaches for the sky as two boats rest quietly offshore—an image evoking the poetic stillness of “a boat idling by the wild ferry,” merging field research with natural serenity.

🥉 3rd Place

• Title: Enquanto a COP não vem (While COP Hasn’t Come Yet)
  Author: Isadora Timbó
  Location: Belém do Pará, Brazil
• Description: Amid daily coastal life, fishing boats tell stories of resilience and heritage. As global climate talks unfold elsewhere, these communities continue to adapt—living the challenges and hopes of climate change firsthand.

• Title: Ephemeral Tidal Landscape
  Author: María del Refugio Muciño Reyes
  Location: Dzilam de Bravo, Yucatán, México
• Description: Patterns formed by seagrass remnants along the shore reveal the rhythm of the tides—ephemeral marks that embody the sea’s continuous shaping of the coastal world.

• Title: Boundary
  Author: Qinzi Cheng
  Location: Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, USA
• Description: This image of California’s eroded arches captures the dynamic interplay of waves, rock, and life—where erosion and renewal compose a coastal symphony between nature and humanity.

• Title: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
  Author: Yuan Xiong
  Location: Mai Po, Hong Kong, China
• Description: Rain-drenched mangroves envelop a tranquil waterway, their deep green hues forming a living gateway into the secret world of wetlands.

• Title: Double Rainbow
  Author: Jiaheng Yuan
  Location: Dongtan Wetland, Yangtze River Estuary, Shanghai, China
• Description: A rare double rainbow stretches across the tidal flats—nature’s fleeting celebration of beauty and good fortune, captured during fieldwork in the estuary wetlands.

Honorable Mentions

• “A Change of Perspective Getting Closer to the Baltic Sea” by Chiara D’Agata
• “Red Saltmarsh” by Wenhao Hou
• “To the Horizon Where Sun Meets Sea” by Bentao Li
• “Make Room for Mangrove” by Peixian Li
• “Pages of the Intertidal Zone” by Xiaoyu Zhang

Congratulations to all our winners and heartfelt thanks to every participant who shared their vision of coastal life and resilience. Together, your works illuminate the beauty, complexity, and future of our global coasts.

Stay tuned for the “Coastal Visions” Global Coastal Photography Award Exhibition at the 4th Mega-Delta Meeting: International Conference on Dialogue between Land and Sea (October 19-22, Shanghai, China), featuring the showcased works of our award winners.

The post Announcement: “Coastal Visions” Global Coastal Photography Award Winners appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

Organized by:

The post SIMSEA Meta-Network Meeting: Strengthening Collaboration Across Marginal Seas appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

TALK

• Understanding Coastal Resilience in a Changing Climate

Andrew Fielding, Senior Environmental Consultant, JB Pacific, Australia

Sea level rise is one of the most significant challenges facing coastal communities, intensifying the risks of flooding, erosion, and long-term habitat loss. This presentation will explore the use of simulation libraries to assess the impacts of sea level rise and support resilience planning.

These libraries use modelling to simulate the extent, depth, and duration of coastal inundation. They are designed to be flexible, supporting both detailed local studies that capture place-specific vulnerabilities and broader analyses that highlight large-scale exposure patterns. With further development, the libraries have strong potential to inform emergency response, guide infrastructure planning, and support community preparedness by providing timely, actionable insights into future flood risks.

By translating complex modelling outputs into accessible information, the simulations provide a practical basis for decision-making. They can help identify critical infrastructure at risk, guide adaptation planning, and support community engagement by making future scenarios more tangible.

The presentation will highlight the capabilities and applications of these tools and discuss how simulation libraries can bridge the gap between climate science and practical resilience strategies, strengthening long-term preparedness for sea level rise in a changing climate.

Our Speaker

Andrew Fielding

Andrew is an experienced environmental consultant with extensive experience in hydraulic modelling, flood risk management, and economic assessments. Since joining the JBA Group in 2014, he has worked across local and international projects, including national flood mapping, strategic risk assessments, and innovative natural flood management (NFM) solutions. He is proficient in modelling packages such as TUFLOW and JFlow, delivering high-quality analysis for flood studies and hazard evaluations.

Andrew also brings expertise in flood risk economics, supporting option development through integrated technical and cost-benefit assessments. As a skilled project manager, he has successfully led multidisciplinary teams under challenging timelines while maintaining technical excellence.

Since relocating to Australia from the UK in 2024, Andrew has applied his expertise to coastal and estuarine risk projects, including the Southern Estuaries Tidal Study and emergency response modelling following Tropical Cyclone Alfred. His work supports councils in assessing sea level rise, tidal inundation, and catchment–coast dynamics. Through scenario-based risk modelling and adaptation planning, Andrew provides practical, science-led advice to help coastal communities build resilience to climate change.

Registration

The event is free to attend and open to all. It will take place at 03:00 AM to 04:00 AM UTC on October 10.

Click here to register:

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/7RuhvaZ/Registration.

Or scan the QR code below to register:

This seminar series is part of the Future Earth-funded cross-cutting initiative “Meta-Network” – a collaborative platform connecting science, policy, and practice to advance coastal and marine sustainability. We welcome new partners from academia, NGOs, government, and industry to join us in co-creating inclusive, science-driven solutions. Get involved by contacting fecchina@ecnu.edu.cn.

The post FEC-SIMSEA Youth Joint Seminar: Understanding Coastal Resilience in a Changing Climate appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

Coastal Adaptation Meeting participants. Pictured, from left to right: Charles Lemckert, Dominique Bérubé, Robert Briggs, Rosmarie Lohnes, Garret Mombourquette, Susan Lang-Lemckert, Donald Forbes, Heath Kelsey, Mitch Maracle, Jeff Ollerhead, Gavin Manson, and Nicholas Winkler. (Source: https://ian.umces.edu/blog/international-coastal-adaptation-perspectives/）

The gathering brought together colleagues from around the world to exchange perspectives and strategies for addressing global coastal challenges. Fifteen invited participants, including scientists, practitioners, managers, and Indigenous representatives from Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Mi’kmaw Nation, the United States, and the West Indies shared their insights on coastal climate adaptation.

Over three days, participants identified key issues, challenges, and pathways forward. The event also included a local meeting with the Pugwash community, where discussions and outcomes were shared, and valuable local perspectives were gathered.

Read reflections from FEC IPO-US Director Heath Kelsey below or visit here: https://ian.umces.edu/blog/international-coastal-adaptation-perspectives/.

International Coastal Adaptation Perspectives

Heath Kelsey · 3 September 2025

I was lucky enough to be invited to a meeting at Thinkers Lodge in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, in August this year, as part of their continuing commitment to support meetings that address science and societal issues. Our goal for this meeting was to discuss international responses to climate change in coastal communities. Fifteen scientists, practitioners, managers, and indigenous representatives from Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Mi’kmaw Nation, USA, and the West Indies were invited to share their perspectives on coastal climate adaptation. Over three days of meetings, we identified key issues, challenges, and ways forward. We also convened a local meeting to share our discussions with the Pugwash community and to solicit their valuable insights.

We discussed issues related to changing ice conditions in the Arctic, cyclone impacts in Australia, hurricanes in the West Indies, and societal implications of adaptation in the USA. One issue that came up frequently was around the challenge of coastal erosion. Erosion of coastal land is a nearly universal issue affecting homes, agricultural areas, and urbanized areas in coastal areas worldwide. We heard about coastal erosion in Australia, Canada, and the West Indies. This reflects IAN’s experiences: Erosion is a priority issue in many (most?) of the coastal communities we work with globally.

 

Although some key issues (like erosion) were commonly observed, a key takeaway from our discussions was that coastal adaptation issues and strategies are locally specific. The need for adaptation is widespread, but every location has unique challenges related to changing coastal conditions, so relevant and useful adaptation strategies are, and will continue to be, different in different places. Every location has different physical features, and locally variable relative sea level rise, storm frequency, air and water temperature, and precipitation patterns. Even areas that are relatively close together may have very different needs. For example, as local community members pointed out, the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia experiences 16.8 meter tides, while the nearby Gulf of St. Lawrence in the same county has smaller tides (less than 2 meters) and different features and uses. Farther north, changing ice formation and conditions affect the safety and mobility of indigenous communities that rely on ice for transportation. While it may be tempting to try to identify climate adaptation responses that are broadly applicable, there are no “one-size-fits-all” solutions, only locally relevant strategies (thank you Rosemarie Lohnes for that distinction!).

 

On the last day of our meeting, we experienced some of the unique settings in the Canadian maritime coast first hand through field visits to Tidnish Dock Provincial Park, and Baie Vertre contrasted with Chignetco Bay (upper Bay of Fundy) at Aulac in New Brunswick. We saw ongoing shoreline erosion and multiple types of erosion and flood control strategies. Each place we visited highlighted important differences in adaptation priorities, as well as the options for addressing them. Special thanks to Dr. Jeff Ollerhead for the insightful history and context for our journey!

 

Another theme of our discussions seemed especially relevant in light of current support for science and the use of scientific evidence in environmental policy. All of our discussions started from a foundation of scientific inquiry, which provided insights to problems and potential strategies. Some of those strategies might be convenient and easy, but many will be inconvenient, difficult, or expensive. Even when solutions are elusive and responses are difficult, I find a certain reassurance that scientific knowledge can help us describe what’s happening and what we might do about it. Even if we choose not to use it, the science is there regardless. I can’t describe why that provides me comfort, but it does.

In the coming weeks, the group will co-create a statement that captures what we learned together and how we will continue in the future. I sincerely look forward to continuing this work.

 

As we went through our discussions, I also thought about the significance of the venue and its link to science and society. In fact, Thinkers Lodge has an impressive history. In 1955, shortly before his death, Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russel, and nine other prominent scientists issued what has become known as the Russel-Einstein Manifesto. At the height of the Cold War, the Manifesto challenged scientists from the east and west to meet to promote peace and prevent the use of nuclear weapons in war. The first such conference was held at Thinkers Lodge in July 1957, sponsored by Pugwash native, industrialist Cyrus Eaton. That first meeting included scientists from the USSR, Japan, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Austria, China, France, and Poland. It is truly remarkable that this group was able to meet face-to-face at all during the Cold War, especially to discuss issues as sensitive as nuclear weapons. Outcomes from this first meeting set the stage for the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963, which banned nuclear weapons testing in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space.

 

The 1995 Nobel Peace Prize was jointly awarded to the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs and Joseph Rotblat, who was one of the signatories of the Manifesto, for efforts that began at that 1957 meeting. Subsequent meetings have occurred regularly at different venues worldwide, and the Lodge has become iconic as a symbol of peace and scientific reflection. The award is on display at the Thinkers Lodge lobby. It was inspiring to be have our meeting in such a storied location.

 

Special and heartfelt thanks to Teresa Kewachuk and all of the Thinkers Lodge staff and volunteers who made our visit so comfortable, fun, and delicious! We were treated to family recipes for lobster rolls, seafood chowder, and a host of other local delicacies, all delicious and special. Thank you for making our visit so delightful. And, of course, thanks to Drs. Don Forbes and Gavin Manson for organizing such a great week.

The post Coastal Voices Unite: Shaping Global Adaptation in Pugwash appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

Dive into Surf Culture and Coastal Futures!

Future Earth Coasts (FEC) invites you to an inspiring hybrid seminar, “Surf Culture: Collectively Supporting Coastal Futures”, featuring Dr. Tom Wegener，an internationally recognized surfboard designer, environmental advocate, and elected Noosa Shire Councillor from Queensland, Australia. On September 28th, 2025 (02:00–03:00 UTC), join us to explore how surfing, once seen simply as a sport, has become a global movement shaping coastal conservation and community resilience.

This engaging session will delve into the expanding influence of surf communities worldwide and their growing role as environmental stewards. Dr. Wegener will share insights from his PhD research and on-the-ground advocacy, illustrating how surf culture fosters a shared identity centered around respect for the ocean and local environments.

This webinar is ideal for researchers, environmental activists, policy makers, and anyone interested in community-driven conservation, sustainable blue economies, and the intersection of sports and advocacy.

Event Details

Date & Time: September 28, 2025, 02:00 AM – 03:00 AM UTC

Venue (hybrid):

• In-person: Room A204, SKLEC Building, East China Normal University, Shanghai
• Online: Zoom (link provided upon registration)

Moderator: Dr Josef Gregory Mahoney, Professor of Politics at East China Normal University, China

Registration:

• In-person participation: Register via QR code below (in-person attendance is available on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to register early to secure your spot)：

• Online participants: Scan QR code below or visit here.

TALK

• Surf Culture: Collectively Supporting Coastal Futures

Surfing communities are expanding worldwide, bringing with them a strong commitment to protecting coastlines. The global surfing community can engage with Future Earth Coasts (FEC) members to raise awareness and drive action for safeguarding coastal areas.

There are an estimated 35 million active surfers, not including those who identify more broadly as surfers—such as ocean swimmers, body surfers, and belly boarders. Some experts believe this figure is very low. Surfing is growing rapidly in countries including China, South Korea, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Mexico. In South Korea, for example, there were reportedly only a few surfers in 2007; today there are around 20,000 active surfers, with 1.2 million more having tried surfing through Learn To Surf schools. This growth marks a significant cultural shift.

Research shows that surfers share a cultural identity, reflected in practices such as owning locally made surfboards. Unlike other sports equipment, surfboards are closely tied to community and personal identity. This tradition supports thousands of small surfboard manufacturers worldwide and highlights the resilience of local surf culture.

This shared identity also extends to environmental custodianship. Surfers are often the first to feel the impacts of pollution and coastal degradation and are active supporters of groups such as the Surfrider Foundation. This presentation explores the strength of Surf Culture and how surfers, united by community and identity, can be harnessed to collectively support coastal futures.

OUR SPEAKER

Dr Tom Wegener

Dr Tom Wegener is an internationally recognized surfboard designer, author, and environmental advocate. He is currently serving a second term as an elected official; Noosa Shire Councillor, Queensland, Australia. Tom has participated in the growing collaboration among surfing communities to advocate for the environment. Surfers acknowledge they are custodians of the coastal waters and are using their political power to make change. For example, the Surfrider Foundation with Surfers for Climate and others, have successfully stopped mining operations in the waters of South Australia and are advocating to stop all mining in coastal waters of Australia. Dr Wegener is supporting surfers to continue their coastal environment advocacy by working with the many organizations that are in this field like the Coastal Biosphere Reserve Network and the Future Earth Coasts (FEC).

This webinar is part of the Future Earth-funded cross-cutting initiative “Building Future Leadership: A Coastal Sustainability Value Chain”—an effort dedicated to empowering Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs). We are actively expanding our network, and you are welcome to apply to participate in our workshops and training programs, or to partner with us to co-host events, provide resources, or contribute research expertise. To get involved, please visit our website or contact fecchina@ecnu.edu.cn.

The post Join FEC Webinar: Explore How Global Surf Culture Powers Coastal Conservation appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

FEC is thrilled to announce the appointment of three distinguished Co-Chairs: Charles Lemckert, Weiguo Zhang, and Emma McKinley, as well as Salom Gnana Thanga Vincent as the new Vice Chair. Together with the incumbent Vice Chair, Mike Elliott, they will help shape the network’s strategic direction, support scientific collaboration, and strengthen global partnerships.

We also extend our sincere thanks to outgoing Co-Chairs, Tim Smith and Purvaja Ramachandran, who have served since 2020. Over the years, they have dedicated their time, expertise, and unwavering commitment to advancing FEC’s mission and goals. We are deeply grateful for their wisdom, vision, and leadership, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Meet the New Co-Chairs and Vice Chair

Charles Lemckert

Southern Cross University, Australia

Charles is currently the Chair of Engineering and Information Technology, Faculty of Science and Engineering at the Southern Cross University, Australia and a Fellow of Engineers Australia, with CPEng in Civil, Environmental, and Leadership and Management. Charles has a strong interest and expertise in coastal science, water and coastal engineering, along with coastal zone management approaches. He also has over 25 years of active involvement and leadership in the higher education sector and specialized in developing new engineering and building construction management approaches to improve our society, with a special emphasis on tertiary education enhancement.

Weiguo Zhang

East China Normal University, China

Professor Weiguo Zhang is a coastal geoscientist with expertise in geomorphology, sedimentology, and coastal environmental change. His research explores human–nature interactions in coastal zones over a range of timescales, aiming to support sustainable coastal management. His recent work addresses delta evolution, coastal pollution, and shifts in ecosystem services. Professor Zhang utilizes diverse methodologies including environmental magnetism, geochemistry, radionuclide and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, as well as remote sensing. He has authored over 170 peer-reviewed publications, co-edited one academic book, and led three special issues in Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science and Geomorphology.

Emma McKinley

Cardiff University, UK

Dr Emma McKinley is a Senior Research Fellow at Cardiff University, leading work on ocean literacy and human-ocean relationships. Emma is the Academic Lead of the Severn Estuary Partnership and is the founder of the Marine Social Science Network. She sits on the UK’s National Decade Committee for the UN Ocean Decade, the International Science Advisory Group for MEOPAR and the IOC-UNESCO’s Global Group of Expert on Ocean Literacy.

Salom Gnana Thanga Vincent (Vice Chair)

University of Kerala, India

 Dr. Salom Gnana Thanga Vincent is a Professor at the University of Kerala whose research focuses on benthic ecology and microbial diversity in coastal environments, particularly in relation to human-induced impacts like plastic pollution. She has held leadership roles within the university, including Director of the School of Earth System Sciences, and contributes actively to curriculum development and academic governance. Dr. Vincent serves as the Indian ambassador for the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association and is an Associate Editor of Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Her work on marine plastic pollution and coastal sustainability has received international recognition and support through fellowships and collaborative programs.

A Shared Commitment to Coastal Futures

The incoming Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs will work closely with the Co-Executive Directors and International Project Offices to advance FEC’s mission, strengthen its collaborative work, and amplify the network’s impact worldwide.

“We are excited to welcome Charles, Weiguo, Emma, and Salom to the FEC Executive Committee,” said Anja and Xiaoyu, Co-Executive Directors of FEC, “Their wide-ranging expertise and shared values will help accelerate our efforts to build resilient coastal futures for people and the planet.”

Marking a New Phase for FEC

With this new team in place, FEC is poised to deepen its impact on coastal resilience, interdisciplinary research, and actionable science that supports communities around the globe. These appointments reaffirm FEC’s commitment to inclusive, science-driven approaches to today’s most pressing coastal challenges.

Stay up to date with FEC’s ongoing work by following Future Earth Coasts on LinkedIn and Facebook, or visiting our website for news and initiatives.

The post Future Earth Coasts Welcomes New Co-Chairs and Vice Chair to Advance Global Coastal Action appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

TALK

• Climate change biology and its approaches to understand phytoplankton responses in the warming ocean
• Brisneve Edullantes, PhD, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, College of Science, University of the Philippines Cebu

Phytoplankton are microscopic photosynthetic organisms that form the base of marine ecosystems, drive global primary production and affect biogeochemical cycles. Ocean warming as a result of climate change creates major threats to phytoplankton diversity together with their distribution patterns and ecological roles. The presentation examines how Climate Change Biology as an interdisciplinary field enables us to understand phytoplankton responses to these changes. The biological responses to climate change include range shifts, phenotypic plasticity, community restructuring, and local extirpation or extinction in some cases. Ocean acidification together with marine heatwaves create additional changes in phytoplankton dynamics which sometimes produce harmful algal blooms that lead to severe ecological and socio-economic consequences. Multiple methods including long-term observations and controlled laboratory and mesocosm experiments together with satellite remote sensing and ecological modeling and meta-analyses are used to evaluate these responses. The presentation demonstrates why integrated adaptive research methods are essential for predicting phytoplankton responses to future climate conditions because this knowledge enables effective management of marine ecosystems and preservation of ocean ecosystem services.

Our Speaker

Dr. Brisneve Edullantes

Dr. Brisneve Edullantes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology and Environmental Science (DBES) of the College of Science of the University of the Philippines Cebu with expertise in Environmental Biology. He obtained his BSc in Biology from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas Cebu College (currently known as University of the Philippines Cebu) in 2009. He earned his MEng in Environmental Engineering from the Mokpo National Maritime University, South Korea in 2012. He obtained his PhD in Environmental Biology degree from the University of Essex, United Kingdom. Dr. Edullantes has taught several innovative courses in the Biology and Environmental Science programs, including Biological Systems Analysis, Environmental Change Biology, and Environmental Data Analysis and Visualization. He has actively mentored both undergraduate and graduate students in conducting scientific research. He specializes in microalgal ecophysiology and environmental change biology, as evidenced by his publications in reputable journals and presentations at both local and international conferences. His commitment to teaching, research, and public service is further highlighted by the grants and awards he has received such as International Publication Awards (2015 – 2025), Gawad Chancellor Awards (2023 and 2024), and National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) Outstanding Scientific Paper Award (2025).

Registration

The event is free to attend and open to all. It will take place at 03:00 AM to 04:00 AM UTC on August 18^th.

Click here to register:  https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/H9F0fDX/Registration.

Or scan the QR code below to register:

This seminar series is part of the Future Earth-funded cross-cutting initiative “Meta-Network” – a collaborative platform connecting science, policy, and practice to advance coastal and marine sustainability. We welcome new partners from academia, NGOs, government, and industry to join us in co-creating inclusive, science-driven solutions. Get involved by contacting fecchina@ecnu.edu.cn.

The post Join Us! FEC-SIMSEA Youth Joint Seminar on Phytoplankton & Climate Change | Aug 18 appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming online webinar on “Artificial Cultivation and Ecological Restoration of Estuarine and Coastal Mangrove Wetlands”.

Mangroves are vital barriers for coastal ecological security, yet they face severe threats from human activities and rising sea levels. In this session, Prof. Zhijun Dai will share pioneering research on mangrove restoration, including:

• theoretical geomorphological thresholds for mangrove colonization;
• advanced techniques for seedling cultivation and transplantation;
• success stories from the Beibu Gulf, where a survival rate of up to 90% was achieved for the mangrove seedlings.

Why Attend?

This webinar is dedicated to fostering global dialogue and collaboration on mangrove restoration. We will explore region-specific challenges and solutions, share transferable insights from science and engineering, and highlight opportunities for joint research, technology exchange, and capacity-building across China, Ghana, and Australia.

Following the talk, a live panel discussion will offer you the opportunity to engage directly with Prof. Zhijun Dai and fellow participants. He will be joined by the following panelists for a dynamic and interactive conversation:

• Precious Agbeko D. Mattah, University of Cape Coast, Ghana;
• Edem Mahu, University of Ghana;
• Bapentire Donatus Angnuureng, University of Cape Coast, Ghana;
• Daniel Rodger, JB Pacific, Australia.

Whether you’re a researcher, practitioner, or simply passionate about mangrove restoration, your perspectives are invaluable! Register here to get involved now or if you want to learn more, please contact us at fecchina@ecnu.edu.cn.

📅 Date & Time: 08:00 AM to 09:00 AM UTC on July 5^th

📍 Online Zoom Meeting

🔗 Registration: Click here to register or scan the QR code below to register.

TALK

• Artificial Cultivation and Ecological Restoration of Estuarine and Coastal Mangrove Wetland
• Prof. Zhijun Dai, State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University

As an important barrier for maintaining coastal ecological security, mangrove is valuable space, material and environmental resource. However, mangroves have experienced great losses worldwide due to the impacts of human activities and sea level rise. There is an urgent necessary for mangroves restoration. Our project group focus on the theoretical and practical difficulties of estuarine mangroves cultivation and restoration and tackle them by putting forward the theoretical geomorphological elevation threshold of mangrove colonization, creating hydrological connectivity environment for mangroves and developing new techniques for mangroves seedling and transplant. Our technologies have been successfully applied in the Beibu Gulf and save 90% input per acre. Our work underscores the importance of artificial cultivation and ecological restoration of estuarine and coastal mangrove wetlands, providing valuable references for sustainable mangrove development worldwide with vital popularization significance.

OUR SPEAKER

Prof Zhijun Dai

Dr. Zhijun Dai is a Professor at the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University. His research focuses on dynamic geomorphological changes and ecological restoration in the context of coastal resource development. He specializes in the sustainable management and policy analysis of estuarine and coastal water, soil, and mangrove (saltmarsh) ecosystems. With 22 years of academic experience, Dr. Dai has carried out extensive research on coastal erosion and ecological restoration driven by climate change and human activity. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, authored seven monographs, and holds 36 authorized patents. He has also been a visiting scholar in the United States and the Netherlands, and has led multiple national-level projects on coastal change and restoration. His current research focuses on three interdisciplinary areas: (i) water and soil security in major river deltas, deltaic geomorphic vulnerability, and adaptive strategies; (ii) ecological seawalls and coastal policy frameworks; (iii) degradation and restoration of mangrove wetlands. Dr. Dai also serves as a Deputy Editor for two leading international journals in the field: Ocean and Coastal Management and Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science.

This Webinar is part of the Future Earth-funded cross-cutting initiative “Building Future Leadership: A Coastal Sustainability Value Chain” – an initiative designed to tackle coastal challenges by cultivating leadership among Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) and integrating Indigenous knowledge.

The post Join Us for an Insightful Webinar on Mangrove Restoration – Share Your Views! appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

Dr. Hayashida introduced the Japan Coastal Ocean Predictability Experiment (JCOPE), an operational system that has been providing two-month forecasts of temperature, salinity, and ocean currents in the northwest Pacific since 2001. He outlined how JCOPE assimilates real-time data from satellites, ships, and Argo floats to produce high-resolution predictions that support ship navigation, fisheries, and aquaculture industries.

The seminar focused on expanding JCOPE to simulate ecosystem-relevant variables such as nutrient levels, phytoplankton biomass, dissolved oxygen, and pH. A key innovation discussed was the use of BGC-Argo floats, autonomous instruments that collect biogeochemical data and transmit near real-time profiles from depths down to 2,000 meters. Dr. Hayashida emphasized the significance of these emerging tools for improving ecosystem health forecasting, particularly in support of sustainable coastal management.

Participants raised critical questions on data availability in marginal seas, the integration of alternative observation systems, the potential use of AI in enhancing forecast accuracy, and a further role of atmospheric input in the coastal ocean biogeochemistry. Discussions also touched on the need for expanded regional deployments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and applications for local communities such as fishers and aquaculture operators.

The seminar concluded with a call for collaborative actions, including joint monitoring projects, review publications, and broader stakeholder engagement. One suggestion from the audience was made to connect with blue economy initiatives in Australia and the wider Kuroshio current region. The session underscored the growing relevance of biogeochemical forecasting for both research and real-world applications and reaffirmed the importance of linking predictive science with end-user needs in the region.

fes-simsea-seminar-hayashida-20250513a

The post Exploring the Future of Ocean Forecasting: Predicting Phytoplankton Blooms Two Months in Advance appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

January 23, 2025

We are excited to share some information with you about what truly began as and continues to be a grassroots effort to highlight the plight of ocean-facing river deltas in a warming climate today and well into the foreseeable future. It has fast developed into a global initiative and gathering of relevant stakeholders at United Nations (UN) headquarters, COPs and now in Thailand. The First UNCCRD Delta Summit 2025, with the theme “’Deltas Unite’ to save our deltas with a United Nations Convention on Conserving River Deltas,” will take place at the Asian Science Institute, Thailand from March 17 – 20, 2025. This 3-day summit is aimed at addressing the unprecedented challenges faced by river deltas globally, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts and urgent action to conserve these critical ecosystems.

Many ocean-facing and inland river deltas are “sandwiched” between two existential external threats: climate change related sea level rise and upland climate, water, and weather-related processes that are simultaneously affecting both human and ecosystems wellbeing. And deltas are, as you know, also adversely affected by extreme hydromet hazards which seem to be intensifying in frequency and magnitude. You have all heard this before, not just today not just this decade but for decades especially since the early 1970s, as we became more aware of the consequences of

anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Sea level rise related to global warming has been noted and measured in real time, but the few millimeters a year were seen as so infinitesimal and inconsequential to policy makers, except to some scientific researchers. As a result, such slow-onset changes are usually not taken seriously by policy makers (e.g., soil erosion, mangrove destruction, ground water depletion, deforestation,

melting glaciers, and so on). Sea level rise is but one example of “creeping” environmental changes that adversely affect river deltas’ environmental and societal well-being. If left unattended they become creeping environmental problems (CEPs) that eventually become crises for ecosystems, settlements and decisionmakers.

Our group, having embarked on finding sustainable solutions for deltas using our own resources, has grown to include others, such as representatives from the Mekong, Mississippi, Indus, Nigerian Niger, the Yangtze rivers and the multinational MegaDelta Initiative. We have presented our idea for a United Nations Convention for Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD) at a few conferences to date, most recently at the Stockholm World Water Week 2024 only a few months ago.

Seeking to keep our “Deltas UNite” and UNCCRD efforts on a fast track — and still being encouraged by the UN to do so, we are planning to convene, during UN Water Week 2025, an international multidisciplinary delta summit in March 2025 in Thailand. The venue is the Asian Institute for Technology (AIT) near Bangkok.

To date, we have been a grassroots-based activity, using limited resources to pursue a UNCCRD. However, only now are we in the process of considering the resources needed to make the 4-day summit a reality. Such resources include funding as well as the experience and involvement of scientists (physical, biological, and social), policy makers and ethicists, and representatives of local and indigenous communities that are on the frontlines of a changing climate.

The desire and urgent need to showcase the plight of an estimated half-billion inhabitants of river deltas clearly exist. To this end we are seeking broader support and would greatly appreciate your ideas, suggestions, and involvement in our pursuit to achieve the formal recognition by the UNGA of the need for and value of a UN Convention on Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD).

THE SUMMIT

The Delta Summit will bring together international, multidisciplinary, and intergenerational stakeholders from various sectors, including governments, academia, private enterprises, civil society, and the United Nations. The event seeks to develop actionable steps, programs, and policies to address the challenges faced collectively by river deltas worldwide. A focal point of discussion was unveiled in Dubai at COP28: the preparation of UNCCRD designed to actively involve indigenous peoples and local communities in the governance and decision-making processes needed for better delta futures (particularly, human and ecosystem health and their biodiversity and livelihood security).

The summit will employ plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and networking events to facilitate knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the development of innovative solutions. It will focus on three main areas: ocean-facing river deltas affected by sea-level rise, pollution (particularly plastic and oil and gas) and multiple stressors contributing to biodiversity decline. Key topics will include climate change, deforestation, aquaculture, policy deficit, river-basin and transboundary collaboration, pollution, human rights, citizen participation.

Meeting Objectives

Objectives: The summit seeks to raise awareness, promote environmental values, coordinate stakeholder input for a UNCCRD, collaborate with the United Nations to create a UN sponsored Global Deltas Day, and achieve local and/or citizen participation in delta governance. The delegates will draft a Green Paper as a consultation document of policy proposals for debate and discussion.  A potential structure for the summit is as follows:  Day 1: Landscapes – sediment, water, ecology/biodiversity; Day 2: Livelihoods – ecosystem services, cultural heritage, land-use change/production, etc.; Day 3: Threats & Solutions – risk & vulnerability, delta governance, locally led adaptation, localizing the SDGs specifically for deltas, climate change & human health. Day 4: Field trip to a river delta.

The Meeting Outcome

The outcomes of the summit are expected to contribute significantly to global efforts in conserving river deltas under the umbrella of the new UNCCRD. Key objectives include raising awareness, promoting environmental values, and garnering additional stakeholder input for the operationalization of UNCCRD. The summit participants and other stakeholders hope to secure support for a United Nations declaration of a Global Deltas Day and foster citizen participation in the governance of these critical ecosystems. Furthermore, the summit aimed to deliver a draft White Paper as a consultation document of policy proposals for debate and discussion. The event’s success will be evidenced by increased collaboration, an accelerated pace of UNCCRD operationalization, and a UN Global Deltas Day dedicated to raise the awareness and support of civil societies around the globe for the protection of all river deltas.

Increased indigenous peoples and local communities’ participation as well as collaboration among deltas countries, call for the operationalization of UNCCRD, a White Paper and UN declaration of a special day for global deltas. The summit aims to promote environmental protection, enhance indigenous participation, support gender inclusivity, foster global collaboration, and contribute to the sustainable governance of river deltas.

Summit deliverables: Deliverables, outlined below, will ensure the success and impact of the First International United Nations Delta Summit 2025, facilitating collaboration, knowledge exchange, and action towards the conservation and sustainable management of river delta’s worldwide.

• A White Paper that will serve as an international consultation document containing policy proposals, recommendations, and action plans developed by delegates during the summit through debate and discussion.
• Operationalization of UNCCRD for 2025 – 2026 that will include concrete steps and commitments from stakeholders to support and implement the United Nations Convention on Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD).
• A proposal document for a Global Deltas Day that will serve as awareness-raising and advocacy efforts and collaboration with the United Nations to declare a special day dedicated to the protection and conservation of global river deltas.
• Promotional materials such as brochures, posters, and social media content highlighting the objectives, themes, and significance of the summit.
• Press releases, newsletters, and media kits to disseminate information about the summit to the public, local communities, academia, media outlets, and potential UNCCRD sponsors going forward.
• A comprehensive report documenting the proceedings, outcomes, key discussions, and Next Steps based on the summit sessions, workshops, and plenaries.
• Research articles, policy briefs, and academic papers derived from the discussions, research findings, and policy proposals presented at the summit, including – Op-eds, blog posts, and articles in relevant publications to raise awareness and disseminate summit outcomes to a wider audience.
• Establishment of working groups, task forces, and/or consortia to follow up on the implementation of recommendations and action plans developed during the summit. These will include – collaboration agreements, partnerships, and funding commitments from participating organizations and governments to support ongoing initiatives for delta conservation and governance.

For more information, please check: First UNCCRD Delta Summit 2025 – DeltasUNite to save our deltas

Item submitted by Michael H. Glantz, Consortium for Capacity Building (CCB); University of Colorado, USA & Freeman Elohor Oluowo, African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development (ACCARD), Nigeria

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