Dr. Tom Wegener, internationally recognized surfboard designer, environmental advocate, and Noosa Shire Councillor, delivered a keynote highlighting surfing as a cultural movement rooted in coastal and ocean stewardship. Drawing on his PhD research and decades of experience, he showcased the resilience of surf culture—from ancient Hawaiian Alaya boards to local surfboard-making traditions—and the role of surfers as frontline witnesses to coastal pollution and advocates for change. Examples from Hainan, China, illustrated community-led beach clean-ups, recycled surf products, and the preservation of cultural heritage through board-making.

The session also explored surfing’s link to governance and policy, including integrating surf breaks into coastal legislation, balancing tourism with environmental protection, and using surfing reserves for conservation and sustainable development. Global case studies—from Papua New Guinea to the Maldives and West Africa—demonstrated how surfing initiatives can advance equity, cultural preservation, and environmental justice, highlighting the sport’s wider impact on society and ecosystems.

The Q&A session, moderated by Professor Josef Gregory Mahoney of East China Normal University, opened up a rich discussion on the broader implications of surf culture. Participants raised questions on how surf breaks could be safeguarded as cultural and ecological heritage within coastal governance, and how surfing reserves might balance environmental protection with tourism-driven economies. Issues of equity and inclusion were also highlighted, with examples such as Papua New Guinea’s women-led surfing initiatives sparking dialogue on how similar models could empower communities elsewhere. Dr. Wegener emphasized that connecting grassroots surf activism with policy instruments and global sustainability agendas is essential, while Professor Mahoney drew attention to the need for bridging local knowledge, academic research, and decision-making processes.

This event underscored how surf culture—through shared identity, community engagement, and advocacy—offers powerful pathways to protect coasts and oceans while empowering local communities in the face of climate change and global uncertainty.

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.

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—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.

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The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Brisneve Edullantes, Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines Cebu, whose research focuses on environmental biology and microalgal ecophysiology. Dr. Edullantes highlighted the pivotal role of phytoplankton in global primary production, oxygen generation, and carbon cycling, while emphasizing their vulnerability to rising temperatures and ocean acidification. These stressors are driving shifts in phytoplankton biogeographic ranges, and contributing to the increased frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms, with cascading impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

Through observational studies, laboratory and mesocosm experiments, ecological niche modeling, and participatory research, Dr. Edullantes demonstrated how multiple approaches can reveal the adaptability—and fragility—of phytoplankton communities under climate change. Key findings from his work showed that:

• Temperature strongly regulates phytoplankton growth and toxin production, with warming altering interspecific competition and community composition.
• Modeling approaches project shifts in species distributions and increased occurrence of harmful algal blooms in tropical regions under future scenarios.
• Collaboration across disciplines, from remote sensing to molecular biology, is essential to build predictive models and guide conservation.

The Q&A and Call to Action sessions engaged participants from across the region, who raised questions on research design, modeling applications, and opportunities for collaboration. Early-career researchers reflected on how to frame focused research questions, apply experimental and modeling tools, and link phytoplankton studies with higher trophic levels such as fisheries and food web dynamics. The discussion also emphasized the importance of long-term monitoring, interdisciplinary teamwork, and ensuring that research outputs inform management strategies and stakeholder needs.

This joint youth seminar reaffirmed the importance of building research capacity among the next generation of marine scientists and underscored how climate change biology can guide adaptive strategies for sustaining ocean ecosystems.

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.

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By affiliating with FEC, Futuros Territoriales strengthens its contribution to global knowledge-sharing and best practices for coastal sustainability while fostering collaboration with international experts and institutions, particularly in climate adaptation and marine spatial planning. This partnership merges FEC’s worldwide network with Futuros Territoriales’ innovative, scenario-based approaches – driving transformative change toward more sustainable and resilient futures.

We look forward to Futuros Territoriales’ contributions as part of the FEC network and to the collective progress we will achieve in in safeguarding coastal and territorial ecosystems.  Together, we are shaping a future where coastal and territorial communities thrive in balance with dynamic environmental and societal needs.

About Futuros Territoriales

Futuros Territoriales is a scientific initiative that develops tools and knowledge to explore the future of regional socio-ecological systems. It aims to support evidence-based decision-making in both marine and terrestrial planning by integrating numerical modeling with qualitative analysis.

The initiative combines medium- and high-complexity models to simulate interactions among ecosystems, human populations, livelihoods, and the broader land- and marine-based economy. This interdisciplinary, multi-scale approach enables the evaluation of trade-offs and synergies among development, environmental sustainability, and social well-being.

A central component of the initiative is Futuros Climáticos, an accessible web-based application that makes climate projections available to planners, decision-makers, and the general public. Built on high-resolution climate models, the tool allows users to explore future changes in key climate variables—such as temperature, precipitation, and wind—and to integrate this information with territorial data on infrastructure, population, and land use. This combined analysis helps identify potential climate risks and opportunities for adaptation.

Together, Futuros Territoriales and Futuros Climáticos provide a science-based framework for anticipating climate impacts, guiding adaptation strategies, and promoting resilient, sustainable development across Chile’s regions.

For more information about Futuros Territoriales, visit their website: www.futurosterritoriales.cl or explore their tools and resources at https://futurosterritoriales.cl/climaticos-herramienta/.

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Future Earth Coasts (FEC) is a global network of coastal scientists and practitioners from all disciplines of the natural and social sciences, engineering, law and the humanities, who are dedicated to the sustainable development of coastal zones on all continents.

FEC was first established in 1993 as the Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ), a core project of the International Geosphere and Biosphere Programme (IGBP). In 2015, LOICZ was re-titled as Future Earth Coasts in recognition of its transition into the newly formed Future Earth programme, and further extended its remit to explore options to identify sustainability pathways for anthropogenically altered and changing coasts (https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/). Since 2019, East China Normal University (ECNU) and Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences jointly established the International Project Office (IPO)-China, as one of its globally distributed IPOs located in China, Ghana, Mexico, the US and Australia. From January 2022, IPO-China has become the co-lead IPO of FEC together with Southern Cross University, Australia.

Job Alerts: Part-Time Project Assistant

Project Title: Building Future Leadership: A Coastal Sustainability Value Chain

Location: Online (occasional in-office presence required)

Duration: 1-3 years

Working hours: 15–20 hours per week

Start Date: April 2025 (TBC)

Application Deadline: April 13th, 2025

Salary: fixed but limited salary

About the Project:

In December, 2024, FEC’s cross-cutting proposal, “Building Future Leadership: A Coastal Sustainability Value Chain,” has been awarded funding from the Future Earth Cross-Cutting Initiatives Grant Program. Set to launch in April 2025, this project is led by FEC in collaboration with the Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Programme, Ocean KAN (Ocean Knowledge Action Network), and Anthropocene Coasts. (Learn more about the project: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/lxvVHl8RTuxNk0h2ce3hBw)

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Part-Time Project Assistant to support the coordination and implementation of this exciting project. The ideal candidate will have a strong academic background, excellent communication skills, and a passion for sustainability and coast-related issues.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide project coordination and logistical support.
• Compile and edit project documents, including meeting minutes.
• Draft and edit news items and updates in English.
• Maintain and update the project website.
• Assist in translation tasks.
• Coordinate with project task forces and support campaign activities.
• Perform other ad-hoc tasks as required

Qualifications:

• Enrolled in a postgraduate degree program (Master’s level or above preferred, background in English major, geography or environmental studies preferred).
• Proficient in both written and spoken English and Chinese (critical requirement).
• Experience in project coordination or related fields is desirable but not mandatory.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Adaptability and commitment to assigned tasks.

How to Apply?

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the position to fecchina@ecnu.edu.cn by April 13^th, 2025. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

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FEC IPO Latin America, previously hosted by Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO) in Argentina since 1 January 2022, was led by Prof. Gerardo M. E. Perillo. Over the years, FEC IPO Latin America has been committed to advancing FEC’s mission and goals. Its work has not only strengthened FEC’s work but has also significantly enhanced FEC’s global impact. We are profoundly grateful to Prof. Gerardo for his exceptional leadership and contributions. His wisdom, vision, expertise, experience, and guidance have been invaluable to us all. We extend our deepest appreciation to Prof. Gerardo for his service and dedication.

Prof. Gerardo M. E. Perillo

The new FEC IPO in Latin America will be hosted by a distinguished consortium, including:

The office will be led by Dr. Cristina Gonzalez Rubio-Sanvicente as Director and Dr. Giovanni Avila-Flores as Deputy Director, bringing a wealth of expertise and regional insights to drive impactful initiatives.

The new appointment of FEC IPO in Latin America marks a significant milestone in global efforts to promote coastal sustainability. By fostering innovative research, enhancing regional collaboration, and integrating diverse knowledge systems, this office will serve as a pivotal hub for advancing the goals of Future Earth Coasts. Together, we can forge a path toward a more sustainable and resilient coastal future for Latin America and beyond, contributing meaningfully to global environmental change and the well-being of coastal communities worldwide.

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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

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