The Economist’s World Oceans Summit will examine how the increasing activity in and around the oceans can be managed sustainably and what this means for business and other key stakeholders. Chaired by John Micklethwait, Editor-in-chief of The Economist, the summit will bring together more than 200 global leaders from various sectors and disciplines, including government, business, international organisations, NGOs, think-tanks and academia to participate in a unique, outcome-driven dialogue.
The following topic will be discussed:
Climate change and coastal adaptation: Turning risks into opportunities
Climate change is leading to a warming of the seas and to ocean acidification, both important issues the solutions to which are primarily a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. From an oceans perspective, climate change coupled with rapid urbanization and increases in coastal populations are adding significant risks to and pressures on coastal resources, peoples and nations. Erosion, inundations and extreme weather events are affecting hundreds of millions of people, as well as the coastal facilities and industries, tourism, shipping and trade activities that sustain national economies. The loss and degradation of coastal ecosystems is increasing these risks by further exposing communities and assets to increasing hazards. This is being compounded by the construction of sea walls and hard infrastructure, which also affect tourism and fisheries. Adaptation in coastal areas is an urgent necessity, but how to adapt matters. Future investments in urban areas and coastal infrastructure will have a profound impact on coastlines and with them the future of half humanity.
- What is the scope of the adaptation challenges faced by coastal communities?
- What role can coastal ecosystems play in addressing some of these challenges?
- What incentives can be used to promote conserving or restoring coastal ecosystems for their protective services?
- How can we reconcile development objectives and prevention of life and property losses?
- What innovative ideas can be applied to reshape coastal development?