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.

—Capture the Vitality and Future of Coasts Through Your Vision

To highlight the natural beauty, ecological value, and human imprint on estuaries and coasts worldwide—and to promote the global vision of coastal sustainability, Future Earth Coasts (FEC), the “Mega-Delta Programme” of the UN Ocean Decade, and “CROSS Coastz” of the UN Science Decade are proud to jointly launch the “Coastal Visions” Global Coastal Photography Award.

We warmly invite photography enthusiasts, scientists, students, and citizens from around the world who care about estuaries and coasts to take part. Through your lens, share the diverse faces and compelling stories of our coasts.

Photography Themes
Entries should relate to one or more of the following themes:

• Coastal natural landscapes
• Coastal hazard and pollution
• Practices in sustainable coastal management
• Human–coast harmony and coexistence
• Documentation of scientific research, field sampling, community engagement, etc.

The geographical focus is global estuaries and coasts. Submissions highlighting the 25 major estuarine deltas under the Mega-Delta Programme (e.g., Yangtze, Yellow River, Pearl River, Nile, Mississippi; see Figure 1) are especially encouraged.

Figure 1: Global distribution of major deltas in the “Mega-Delta Programme”

Submission Requirements

• Format: Photographs
• Content: Authentic, original, and theme-based; must have strong visual impact or scientific/documentary value. Photos may be taken at any time (no time limit).
• File type: JPG digital files
• Editing: Basic adjustments (brightness, contrast, color) are acceptable. Composite images, stitching, or manipulations that alter the original content are not allowed.
• Description: Each entry must include：Author’s name, Date taken, Location, Description (50–200 words: background story, scientific significance, or personal reflection)
• Submission

1. Email: fecchina@ecnu.edu.cn
2. Email subject line: Name – Affiliation (if applicable) – Title of Work
3. Submission period: September 10, 2025 – September 25, 2025

Awards and Exhibition

• Prizes:
  – First Prize: 1–2 winners
  – Second Prize: 2–3 winners
  – Third Prize: 3–5 winners
  – Special Recognition Awards: several
• Winning works will be showcased at the 4th Mega-Delta Meeting: International Conference on Dialogue between Land and Sea (October 19–22, 2025, Shanghai).
• Selected entries will be promoted worldwide via the FEC official website, social media, and more.
• Winners will receive a certificate of honor and commemorative gifts.
• Outstanding contributors may be invited to participate in FEC international exchange events.

Background

Future Earth Coasts (FEC) is a global research network of Future Earth with nearly 40 years of history. It is dedicated to supporting healthy coasts and oceans for a just and environmentally sustainable future by promoting the deep integration of science and policy to advance the sustainable development of coastal zones.

The “Mega-Delta Programme”, one of FEC’s core working groups initiated by the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research at East China Normal University, has been endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). The programme brings together 39 institutions from 22 countries to collaboratively address the environmental and developmental challenges facing delta regions.

The programme “Connecting Rivers & Oceans for Sustainable Solutions in the Coastal Zone (CROSS Coastz),” led by the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research (SKLEC) at East China Normal University, has been officially recognized as one of the first endorsed initiatives of the UN Science Decade. It brings together over 120 experts from more than 40 institutions across six continents. The programme spans a wide range of interdisciplinary research fields, including hydro-sediment dynamics, sedimentary geomorphology, marine biogeochemistry, coastal wetland ecology, data informatics, and coastal engineering.

This event aims to connect science and the public through the power of imagery, showcase the value and resilience of coasts, and promote global coastal protection and sustainable development.

Learn More

• Future Earth Coasts: https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/
• UN Ocean Decade “Mega-Delta Programme”: https://delta.ecnu.edu.cn/
• UN Science Decade “CROSS Coastz”: https://www.un-sciences-decade.org/en/node/40

📷 Through your lens, the coast endures. We look forward to your submissions and to collectively shaping the future narrative of our coasts.

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

October 19-22, 2025,  Shanghai，China

Rivers are crucial links between river basins and the sea, yet large river basins are often faced with flooding/draught, pollution, and sediment issues caused by climate change and human activities. Balancing economic development in these basins while mitigating negative impacts on the sea requires effective communication among scientists, policy makers, and practitioners from various sectors. This conference aims to bridge the gap between science and policy by facilitating such a dialogue.

Moreover, this year’s conference will continue its collaboration with the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to host the “Dialogue on Great River Basins.” This year, the dialogue will focus on major rivers in Asia.

Themes

– Influence of climate change and human activities on river deltas

– Cope with challenges for different deltas

– Initiation promotion: UN convention on Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD)

Key Dates

2025/09/12  Abstract submissions close

2025/09/20  Abstract acceptance notifications

2025/09/21  Registration opens

2025/10/1   Early bird registration closes

2025/10/19  Conference onsite registration

2025/10/20-21  Conference

2025/10/22  Excursion

Organizers

East China Normal University

Co-organizers

State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research

Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

Supporting Programs

Mega-Delta Programme of the UN Ocean Decade

UN Decade Collaborative Center for Ocean-Climate Nexus (DCC-OCC)

UN Decade Collaborative Center for Coastal Resilience (DCC-CR)

Ministry of Education International Joint Laboratory for “Green Mega Deltas”

International Joint Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, Shanghai

Future Earth Coasts（FEC）

Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR)

Sponsor

Zizhu National High-Tech Industrial Development Park

Submit abstracts

Please submit your abstract by scanning the QR code.

Registration

The Payment link will be updated after 2025/09/20.

Hotels

Contact

Conference Email：Megadelta@ecnu.edu.cn

The post The 4th Mega-Delta Meeting: International Conference on Dialogue between Land and Sea appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

Ocean Decade_ MegaDelta Programme Deltas Associated with Large Rivers: Seeking Solutions for the Problem of Sustainability

The UN-endorsed Mega-Delta Programme, in partnership with the high-impact journals Ocean & Coastal Management and Regional Studies in Marine Science, invites submissions for a Special Issue focused on the sustainability of delta regions worldwide.

Participating Journals:

• Ocean & Coastal Management
• Regional Studies in Marine Science

Submission deadline: 31 December 2026

We invite contributions that seek solutions to sustainability issues in various delta regions, considering their unique challenges related to global change, such as flooding, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and land subsidence. This special issue aims to enhance the protection of human living environments in these delta areas and to reconstruct development blueprints through multidisciplinary and multisectoral collaboration. We encourage submissions that address diverse regional contexts, types of deltas, and varying stages of socio-economic development. We look forward to receiving your research contributions that align with the themes of sustainable development of delta regions.

Guest editors:

Xiuzhen LI, PhD
East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
(Evolution and functioning of coastal wetlands, Wetlands Ecology, Coastal wetland restoration, Coastal Blue Carbon, Saltmarsh)
Email: xzli@sklec.ecnu.edu.cn

Ning ZHAO, PhDEast China Normal University, Shanghai, China
(Marine carbon cycle; Paleoceanography)
Email: nzhao@sklec.ecnu.edu.cn

Special issue information:

Manuscripts related to deltas along the ocean coast are welcome. Mechanistic and technological research papers are encouraged to link your contribution to the management of river deltas.

Manuscript submission information:

Submission Deadline: 31/12/2026

When submitting your manuscript please select the article type “VSI: OD- MegaDelta Programme”. Please submit your manuscript before the submission deadline Dec. 31st, 2026 and ensure you read the Guide for Authors before writing your manuscript.

Regional Studies in Marine Science
Editorial Submission Site: Editorial Manager®
Both the Guide for Authors and the submission portal on Marine Environmental Research could be found on the Journal Homepage here: Regional Studies in Marine Science | Journal | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier

Ocean & Coastal Management
Editorial Submission Site: Editorial Manager®
Both the Guide for Authors and the submission portal on Marine Environmental Research could be found on the Journal Homepage here: Ocean & Coastal Management | Journal | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier

All submissions deemed suitable to be sent for peer review will be reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. Once your manuscript is accepted, it will go into production, and will be simultaneously published in the current regular issue and pulled into the online Special Issue. Articles from this Special Issue will appear in different regular issues of the journal, though they will be clearly marked and branded as Special Issue articles.

Keywords:

Delta evolution, Flooding, Water pollution, Erosion, Land subsidence, Sediment load, Ecosystem degradation, Community resilience

The post Call for Submissions – Ocean Decade_ MegaDelta Programme Deltas Associated with Large Rivers: Seeking Solutions for the Problem of Sustainability appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

Pearl River Delta Estuary Marine Restoration

The project is located in the Pearl River Estuary in Nansha District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. It serves as a key node in the East Asia-Australasia migratory bird flyway and represents one of China’s most typical tropical-subtropical transitional coastal estuarine ecosystems. In response to the Mega Deltas Programme, which addresses the urgent need for marine ecological disaster management and sustainable development in large river deltas, the project has implemented a range of effective measures. Currently, the Pearl River Estuary Delta faces challenges related to ecological disaster reduction and prevention, the provision of ecosystem services, and the survival of wildlife. To address these issues, the project will focus on coastal ecological disaster early warning and monitoring while strengthening the protection and restoration of important marine ecosystems.

Coastal Hazards Mitigation in Asian Major Deltas

Warming climate and intensifying human activities are leading to widespread coastal hazards in deltas globally, with potentially devastating consequences for people and ecosystems. A systematic investigation of delta coastal hazards is key to protecting the people and ecosystems in deltas. CHARM aims to re-assess the coastal hazards in Asian major deltas and provide scientific guidance in making sustainable delta management decisions, starting with the Yellow River Delta in China, the Chao Phraya Delta in Thailand, and the Ganges Delta in Bangladesh. During its implementation, CHARM will: 1) conduct comprehensive investigation of the status and driving forces of major delta coastal hazards, 2) predict the future trends of these coastal hazards by considering both climate and anthropogenic stressors, 3) design and evaluate pathways towards sustainable deltas, 4) conduct capacity building associated with coastal hazards mitigation among local governments and young generation.

Earth Observation on Deltas and Estuaries

The project addresses urgent environmental challenges in ecologically significant and vulnerable areas—deltas and estuaries—critical to global biodiversity, economies, and human livelihoods. Threatened by climate change, rising sea levels, and human activities, these areas face increased risks of ecological degradation and coastal hazards. The project will use cutting-edge earth observation technologies to create a long-term framework for monitoring and assessing key global estuaries and deltas. Focusing on six representative deltas—the Yangtze, Yellow, Red, Irrawaddy, Indus, and Niger—the project integrates satellite data, ground surveys, and socio-economic information to track changes, assess impacts, and develop globally applicable insights. Led by the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, China Geological Survey, the project involves robust domestic and international collaboration to advance ecological monitoring and management strategies in these critical regions.

Learn more about the Mega-Delta Programme at: https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/mega-delta-working-group/.

Learn about the data base at: www.deltadatabase.tech

The post Three Mega-Delta Programme Affiliated Projects Endorsed by UN Ocean Decade appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

Activities at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park:

• Science Experiments: Sediment Settling and Ocean Acidification
• Ocean Trivia Quiz
• Ocean-themed Drawing

Watch our video to learn more about our event at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park:

The post FEC on World Oceans Day 2024 appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

Today, we celebrate the beauty and importance of our oceans. Join us as we dive into the wonders of the marine environment, explore the dynamic ecosystems of deltas, and reflect on how climate change and human activities impact these vital habitats.

Check out our video to learn more about the intricate relationships between marine life, coastal ecosystems, and the role we play in preserving their health and sustainability. Let’s work together to protect our oceans for future generations!

https://delta.ecnu.edu.cn/

The post Happy World Ocean Day! appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

During the opening ceremony, the latest academic achievement of the “Mega–Delta Programme”: Delta Sustainability: A Report to the Mega-Delta Programme of the UN Ocean Decade, was officially released. “Seventy-four researchers from 13 countries contributed to this report, which took two years to compile. The editorial team overcame multiple adverse challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and is delighted to present the report to the public today,” explained Prof. Weiguo Zhang, the lead editor of the Report and professor of the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, ECNU.

The Report focuses on 16 representative large river delta regions worldwide, encompassing deltas in different climate zones ranging from tropical to polar, with varying levels of economic development and diverse geomorphic features. The report provides a detailed analysis of five aspects of each delta, including the natural environment, socio-economic characteristics, challenges faced, management measures, and outlook. Based on this analysis, the report distills the overarching sustainable development issues and management challenges confronting deltas globally.

Release ceremony of the latest academic achievement of “Mega–Delta Programme”

The two-day conference featured four sub-forums focusing on Coastal Flooding and Hydrodynamics, Coastal Erosion, Sedimentation, Geomorphic Dynamics, Coastal Zone System Biogeochemistry and Wetland and Coastal Zone Management. Scientists from 17 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America exchanged ideas and insights on the latest achievements in the fields of hydrodynamic sedimentation processes, biogeochemical cycling in deltaic regions, disaster prevention and mitigation strategies, wetland conservation and restoration, as well as sustainable resource utilization, management, and regulation in delta areas. The conference also delved into the implementation of the “Mega–Delta Programme” endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, aiming to address the challenges faced by deltas through multilateral and bilateral cooperation, thereby making valuable contributions to achieving global sustainable development goals for the oceans.

Source: State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research
Author: Wicky Xu
Editor: Philip Nash

The post ECNU hosts the 2nd International Mega–Delta Meeting to Advance Delta Sustainability appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

The theme of this meeting is “Mega deltas – seeking solutions to the problem of sustainability”, during which, we will discuss about protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity; community resilience to ocean hazards; and skills, knowledge and technology for all.

Sessions
– Coastal hazards: erosion, sedimentation and flooding
– Resources of land and water: quality and quantity
– Wetlands restoration, biodiversity and blue carbon
– Multi-stake holders, capacity building, and potential solutions to challenges

Tentative Program
Nov. 5, Sunday, registration,
Nov. 6, Monday, Plenary session + Yangtze-Mississippi Forum
Nov. 7, Tuesday, Parallel sessions; Discussion.
Nov. 8, Wednesday, Field excursion at the Yangtze Delta.

Key Dates
Registration open: 2023/8/15
Abstract submission deadline: 2023/9/30
Registration close (Early birds): 2023/10/15

How to submit Abstract
Please visit the website megadelta2023.ecnu.edu.cn
Or scan the QR code below

Registration Fee

Organizers
The State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research (SKLEC), East China Normal University

Contact
Email: megadelta@ecnu.edu.cn
Tel: 021-54836491

The post Call for Abstracts | 2nd International Mega–Delta Meeting appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

We are pleased to announce that Future Earth Coasts will be collaborating with the CERTO project (Copernicus Evolution: Research for harmonised Transitional water Observation, https://certo-project.org/ ), which aims to undertake research and development necessary to produce harmonised water quality data from each service and extend Copernicus to the large number of stakeholders operating in transitional waters.

The FEC affiliated project Mega-Delta Programme (https://delta.ecnu.edu.cn/) aims to support sustainable development in 25 globally representative deltas through study of the current status and threats facing these areas. CERTO will contribute water quality data to the Mega-Delta Programme by covering the Danube, the Ganges, Indus and Nile. This collaboration will lead to better understanding the status of these deltas and contribute to the Mega Delta programme obj

ectives for these regions:

• Understand the current status of global river deltas.
• Explore the mechanisms of delta evolution under the influence of global climate change and human activities.
• Predict future trendsof water-sediment and socio-economic evolution, as well as early warning for hazards.
• Provide solutions for common problems, such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, flood disasters, saltwater intrusion, soil and water pollution, and ecosystem degradation.

The post FEC and CERTO will be working together to support sustainable development in river deltas appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.