Launched in 2023 by Future Earth Coasts in collaboration with the University of South Carolina and Sciences for Sustainable Earth, the ‘Tour de Coasts’ set out to capture global perspectives on coastal sustainability. The goals of the ‘Tour de Coasts’ were to form a knowledge exchange about priority coastal sustainability concerns and to create a comprehensive understanding of coastal sustainability challenges and opportunities from a global perspective.

At the SRI 2025, the team introduced cornerstone achievement results: A global survey conducted in 2024 received over 200 responses from more than 70 countries. The survey illuminated a wide range of definitions of sustainability, barriers, contributions, and priorities in achieving coastal sustainability. The results also elevated promising local strategies and success stories from the frontlines of coastal action. The data highlighted the importance of both global collaboration and local leadership.

Dr. Xiaoyu Fang of Future Earth Coasts opened the session and set the stage by outlining the vision and evolution of ‘Tour de Coasts.’ Dr. Katya Altman presented the survey results, emphasizing both the common challenges and the locally developed, community-led innovations. “Connect with the FEC network, share your work and regional stories,” Altman emphasized continuous engagement, “let’s co-create a resilient future together!”

Two powerful case studies followed. Dr. Dwayne E. Porter shared insights from the EJ Strong initiative in South Carolina, which strengthens disaster risk reduction and recovery through community capacity building and environmental justice. Dr. Heath Kelsey spotlighted work in New Caledonia and Fiji, where participatory governance and co-design approaches are helping communities define their own priorities for sustainability and resilience.

The formal part of the session concluded with a presentation by Dr. Anja Scheffers, who outlined the way forward in achieving coastal sustainability, including investment in governance and leadership, mobilizing funding, advancing transdisciplinary research, empowering communities and youth, scaling up successful solutions, and fostering collaboration and accountability.

The session continued with a lively discussion and engaging Question and Answer time that once again emphasized the importance of the community taking ownership and outlining priorities in addressing sustainability concerns. What set this session apart was its commitment to equity and collaboration. The panel underscored the importance of integrating local and Indigenous knowledge, fostering co-designed decision-making, and prioritizing community-led solutions. Participants left the room not only with new data and case examples, but also with actionable strategies to replicate, scale, and adapt across coastal contexts globally.

The ‘Tour de Coasts’ session aligned closely with the SRI 2025 themes of One Health and Collaborative Decision-Making. By bridging science, policy, and lived experience, it sparked powerful conversations and forged new connections. As coastal communities confront rising challenges and shifting conditions, the message from SRI 2025 is clear: Sustainable futures are not only possible but they are also already being imagined and built by communities around the world.

Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to engage by visiting https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/tour-de-coasts/ and following us on LinkedIn at Future Earth Coasts.

The post Tour de Coasts Advances Global Coastal Sustainability at SRI 2025 appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

Future Earth Coasts invites researchers, policymakers, and sustainability leaders to attend a pivotal panel discussion at the 2025 Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress (SRI 2025). Marking its fifth anniversary—and its inaugural U.S. convening—SRI 2025 will take place in Chicago, Illinois, from June 16–19, 2025, fostering action-oriented and inclusive sustainability solutions.

Event Details:

📅 Date & Time: Monday, June 16 | 3:00–4:00 PM (Central Time Zone)

📍 Location: Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, SRI 2025, Chicago, Illinois (Hybrid)

🌊 Session Title: Tour de Coasts: Insights from the Global Coastal Sustainability Survey

Coastal regions worldwide confront escalating threats, including sea-level rise, ecosystem degradation, governance disparities, and socioeconomic inequities. Launched in 2024 by Future Earth Coasts and the University of South Carolina, the Tour de Coasts initiative examines these challenges through a comprehensive, global lens. Drawing on insights from over 200 experts across 79 countries, this session will present key findings from the Global Coastal Sustainability Survey and spotlight community-driven resilience strategies.

Why Attend?

• Gain a global perspective on pressing coastal sustainability issues.
• Explore integrated solutions combining local knowledge, scientific research, and policy innovation.
• Engage in interactive dialogue with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers shaping coastal futures.

This session seeks to chart a collaborative path toward equitable, resilient, and sustainable coasts—bridging science, policy, and grassroots action. Participants will contribute to a forward-looking vision, identifying scalable models for transformative change.

Be part of the conversation. Together, we can redefine the future of our coasts. Learn more about Tour de Coasts at https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/tour-de-coasts/.

Access the Report

The full Tour de Coasts final report is now available for download. Click here to read the report and explore its findings in detail.

The post Join the “Tour de Coasts” Panel Discussion at SRI 2025: Advancing Global Coastal Sustainability appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.

The Tour de Coasts initiative aimed to foster knowledge exchange and advance efforts to address pressing coastal sustainability issues. Participants from 79 countries and regions across six continents (excluding Antarctica) contributed their insights, with strong representation from Europe and West Africa. By examining definitions of sustainability, key barriers, contributions, and research priorities, the survey facilitated knowledge exchange and highlighted both shared challenges and region-specific concerns in coastal sustainability efforts. The findings underscore the importance of governance, financial investment, public awareness, and interdisciplinary collaboration in achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Figure 5: Barriers to coastal sustainability word cloud.

The initiative also spotlighted the need for continued engagement and dialogue to ensure a truly inclusive and representative understanding of coastal sustainability. Future efforts should focus on expanding outreach to underrepresented regions and stakeholder groups, incorporating more localized case studies, and fostering ongoing discussions beyond survey responses. Additionally, the results highlight the importance of integrating scientific research with actionable policy and community-driven solutions, emphasizing the need for increased funding, stronger governance frameworks, and public education initiatives.

Building on the momentum of Tour de Coasts, Future Earth Coasts remains committed to advancing global coastal sustainability efforts. Through continued research, collaboration, and outreach, FEC will work to address emerging challenges, amplify diverse voices, and drive impactful solutions that support resilient and thriving coastal communities worldwide.

The findings of the Tour de Coasts survey have contributed to a special collection in Anthropocene Coasts, exploring pathways to coastal sustainability. Additionally, the initiative facilitated a roundtable discussion at the 2024 Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress (SRI 2024), bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and coastal communities to address key challenges and solutions.

To continue this critical dialogue, the findings will be further examined during the panel discussion “Tour de Coasts: Insights from the Global Coastal Sustainability Survey” at SRI 2025, where experts will present actionable insights and successful strategies from around the world, highlighting the power of collaboration, local knowledge, and transdisciplinary approaches in protecting and preserving coastlines.

By fostering engagement and knowledge-sharing, Tour de Coasts aims to drive meaningful change, offering replicable models for sustainable coastal management. Stay connected for future updates and events from the Tour de Coasts team!

Access the Report

The full Tour de Coasts final report is now available for download. Click here to read the report and explore its findings in detail.

The post Tour de Coasts: Final Report Unveils Global Insights on Coastal Sustainability appeared first on Future Earth Coasts.