Tourism Awards for Galicia and Pafos – Azores remains best “green” destination May 20, 2013
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Gozo (Malta), 20 May 2013 - The Spanish coastal town Baiona in Galicia, and Pafos region (Cyprus) are the winners of the QualityCoast 2013 Gold Awards for sustainable tourism. The Portuguese archipelago of the Azores remains Europe’s best overall “green” tourism destination, like in 2012, when they won QualityCoast Gold. The Awards were presented at European Maritime Day which was celebrated on 20 May in Gozo (Malta), another QualityCoast 2012 Gold winner.
The Portuguese town of Cascais and the German island Norderney are the winners of QualityCoast Silver. All municipalities of the Portuguese West region (including Peniche, Torres Vedras, Obidos, Nazaré) received QualityCoast Bronze. The QualityCoast Nature Award was presented to the Marine National Parks of Kosterhavet (Sweden) and Ytre Hvaler (Norway).
1000 destinations assessed world wide
Candidate destinations have been assessed by an international team making use of more than 100 indicators covering all aspects of sustainability: nature; environment; local identity & culture; tourism & business; host community & safety. The annual QualityCoast Award series is an initiative of the European Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC), that is assessing sustainability aspects of 1000 tourism destinations worldwide.
The award are a recognition for the destinations’ efforts to sustain the attractiveness of their tourism in the future. Not only visible, tangible aspects are measured, such as natural heritage, but also policy and management plans that take sustainable development principles into account. Representatives of award winning destinations are attending the ceremony and they are speakers at European Maritime Day conference in Valetta, Malta, 21-22 May.
The Azores is leading the European green tourism hit list since May 2012. The Azores have profited from its policy to make its local and regional products in a traditional way, especially wine, cheese, fruits, tea and tuna. Azores tuna is captured with traditional poles and lines, in a dolphin friendly manner; it is among the most sustainable canned tuna in the world market. Furthermore, the region has managed to turn the economic drawback due to the international ban on commercial whaling into an opportunity by developing whale watching. The Azores regional authority aims at exploring and optimizing renewable energy, in particular wind, geothermic and biomass. Currently 28% of the energy originates from renewable resources, targeted at 75% in 2018.
About QualityCoast
QualityCoast is the largest independent international certification programme for sustainable tourism destinations. Since 2007, more than 140 tourism destinations in 23 countries have been selected for a QualityCoast Award: coastal towns, resorts and islands. It is supported by the European Commission.
Conservation International survey on Ecosystem-based Adaptation May 13, 2013
Posted by euccmed in CLIMATE CHANGE, COASTAL MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH.Tags: Ecosystems
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Conservation International is conducting a survey to develop a better understanding of how climate change policy stakeholders view ecosystem-based adaptation. The survey will form a baseline in understanding ecosystem-based adaptation in international policy that will be used to inform the organization’s work. Your input is vital to establishing an understanding of adaptation more broadly in the international context and will be used to produce a public report that will draw broad lessons about ecosystem-based adaptation in international policy. The survey is part of a project funded by the German government’s International Climate Initiative
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to answer, and can be accessed at the following website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EBASurvey_May2013.
The survey will be open for participation for about 2 weeks. Please respond by May 20, 2013.
We appreciate your participation in this study. If you have any questions about the survey, please send an email to ebasurvey@gmail.com.
Arctic Waters Experiencing ‘Rapid Acidification,’ Levels Up By 30% May 13, 2013
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Arctic marine waters are experiencing widespread, rapid acidification primarily driven by an uptake of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere by human activities, according to a new report from scientists from the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program. In the photo a whale dives into sea off the coast of Greenland’s capital Nuuk October 17, 2012. (Photo : Reuters)
Soure: Nature World News
Arctic marine waters are experiencing widespread, rapid acidification primarily driven by an uptake of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere by human activities, according to a new report from scientists from the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program.
The researchers report incremental lowering of arctic seawater pH; the lower a substance’s pH, the more acidic it is.
“As a result of human carbon dioxide emissions, the average acidity of surface ocean waters worldwide is now about 30 percent higher than at the start of the Industrial Revolution,” the report stated.
Conference: Deltas in Times of Climate Change II May 10, 2013
Posted by euccmed in CLIMATE CHANGE, EVENTS.Tags: IntegratedMaritimePolicy
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Rotterdam, the Netherlands
24 – 26 September 2014
The conference will be held in Rotterdam, a city that has worked hard to make itself climate resilient, a city that searches permanently for innovative ways to turn threats of climate change into opportunities for the city.
Politicians, scientists, policy makers, practitioners, entrepreneurs – all those wishing to know how deltas can adapt to climate change are invited to contribute. We expect internationally known scientists, senior government officials, mayors of big delta cities and CEO’s of big companies to present and share their views, innovations and practices in the field of adaptation to climate change.
The conference pursues three main goals:
- Exchange of up-to-date top science on climate change and delta planning
- Exploring and strengthening the links between science, policy and practice
- Strengthening of international cooperation between deltas and delta cities
The accent of the conference is on planning and investment in times of climate change. Themes to be discussed are: flood risk management, salt intrusion and fresh water supply, adaptation in rural areas, climate proofing of cities, infrastructure and networks, climate projections, governance, decision support tools and cooperation.
The call for papers will be sent out in November 2013.
Plastic litter found in fish guts May 10, 2013
Posted by euccmed in COASTAL MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH.Tags: Biodiversity, MarineLitter
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Tiny pieces of plastic are being taken up by a range of different fish species with unknown effects on their health, according to a new study. Researchers examined the gut contents of ten different species of fish found in UK waters and showed that so-called ‘microplastics’ were found in all species.
Between 60 and 80% of marine litter is plastic. Although larger items are well documented, much less is known about distribution or effects of microplastics – fragments below 5mm in size. Such microlitter is given special consideration under the Marine Framework Strategy Directive1 and in a recent report experts recommended that approaches for sampling this marine litter should be standardised, both in terms of methods and coverage.
There is particular concern that these particles could clog or carry harmful pollutants into the guts of marine animals. Sea creatures, including crustaceans and mussels, have been shown to ingest these microplastics in the laboratory, but studies in natural environments are rare.
For this study, researchers examined the guts of 504 individual fish of ten species caught in the English Channel. Over a third of the fish (184) were found to contain microplastics, which made up 92% of all plastic material found. Five of the species included were pelagic fish, which are bottom-dwellers, and five species were demersal fish, which live higher up the water column.
Researchers found microplastics in the guts of all species, with no difference in amounts between pelagic and demersal species. Across all species, the average number of pieces of microplastic per fish was just less than two, although there were examples of fish ingesting up to 15 pieces.
Source:Lusher, A.L., McHugh, M. and Thompson, R.C. (2013). Occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of pelagic and demersal fish from the English Channel. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 67, 94-99. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.11.028
Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). Workshop 1 – Energy May 10, 2013
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The European Commission is organising a series of stakeholder workshops assessing the benefits and challenges of MSP for specific maritime sectors and activities. The first of a series of workshop on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). Workshop 1 – Energy will take place on 14 June 2013 in Malahide, Dublin, Ireland. It will be followed by a workshop on MSP and fisheries/aquaculture in Lithuania in November 2013 and one dedicated to MSP and shipping in March 2014 – more will follow.
The workshops will gather experts, industries and NGOs discussing the coexistence and synergies between economic activities at sea in a context of increasing use of marine space. The workshops will aim to draw conclusions on the specific needs and best practices on cross-sector cooperation. Discussions and conclusions will feed the work of the Commission to support the deployment of MSP in Europe.
Beat the Micro Bead campaign brings worldwide cosmetics industry to its knees May 8, 2013
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Source: Plastic Soup Foundation
Amsterdam, 7 May, 2013 – Unilever led the way at the end of 2012 by eliminating micro beads from its personal care products and now Colgate-Palmolive, Beiersdorf and L’Oreal are following suit. The announcement was made during the RTL News Programme of 6 May.
From the shower drain to the sea
Scientists are increasingly worried about these microscopic pieces of plastic. The plastic particles flow down the shower drain to water treatment plants via the sewer. As they are so small, they pass through the treatment plants and end up in the sea. That is precisely where they do not belong, according to the 25 NGOs that have joined the Beat The Bead campaign, started by the PSF and the North Sea Foundation.
Maria Westerbos of the Plastic Soup Foundation: “This is incredibly encouraging, although we are disappointed neither Beiersdorf nor L’Oreal have provided a phase out date for the micro beads.”
Jeroen Dagevos of the North Sea Foundation: “That is why their products will for the moment keep their code red status in our database and on the Warning, Plastics Inside App, available free for iPads and iPhones. Colgate-Palmolive will immediately go to Orange; the company has indicated the products will go plastic free in Europe by end 2013 and worldwide in 2014.”
Westerbos: “The last to hold on tight and to persistently keep polluting our waters, are Procter & Gamble, and Johnson and Johnson. We are very curious to see when they will finally understand. No consumer in the world wants to brush their teeth or wash their hair with plastic.”
The Netherlands leading the way
In 2012, a number of retail chains in the Netherlands decided to stop adding micro beads to their personal care products. The HEMA and Trekpleister went into action: in mid-2013, all their personal care products and cosmetics are free of micro beads. De Tuinen also came on board: the chain has virtually stopped selling any product containing micro plastics. Taking it even further, De Tuinen will from 1 June 2013 refuse to trade with any supplier that has plastic in any of its products.
Remark brands Zarqa, Vogue and Therme are also now plastic-free. Kruidvat has also held true to its promise: its new, micro plastic free products will go on sale towards the end of 2013. Etos will take more time: the chain is expected to start selling its first micro bead plastic products only towards the end of 2013. The Body Shop, part of the L’Oreal Group, most recently also joined, promising it will act “better” soon.
On the Political Front
The Netherlands is also leading on the political front, with government discussing micro beads. Two weeks ago, Dutch state secretary Wilma said she would call on the European Commission to ban the use of plastics in personal care products.
3rd Baltadapt Policy Forum on Climate Change Adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region May 7, 2013
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“Time to Baltadapt”
29–30 May 2013 | Tallinn, Estonia
The EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change has been recently launched and the proposal document for the climate change adaptation strategy and integrated action plan for the Baltic Sea Region is very close to its finalisation. You want to meet the people who work with climate change and adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region and be part of informative knowledge exchange and exchange of hands-on good practices?
EUSBSR Horizontal Action Leader Sustainable Development, CBSS-Baltic 21 together with the Estonian Ministry of the Environment, would like to kindly invite you to the 3rd Policy Forum on Climate Change Adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region at and to meet the relevant stakeholders on 29–30 May 2013 in Tallinn, Estonia.
At the conference, the 2nd draft of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan for the Baltic Sea Region will be discussed and interactive working sessions will work on a final proposal of the documents.
Furthermore the Forum will touch upon the following topics:
- Financing adaptation measures
- Climate change adaptation, civil protection, preparedness and risk management; follow-up workshop with EUSBSR PA Secure
- Climate smart Agriculture
- Spatial Planning and land-based infrastructure
- Climate change Adaptation at the European level
You will find the latest updated agenda and more background information on https://www.cbss.org/environment-and-sustainability/events/.
Please note that registration deadline is 27 May 2013.
COASTAL CLIFFS AND LAKE BLUFFS SYMPOSIUM 2013 May 7, 2013
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Liverpool Hope University in partnership with the Coastal and Marine Union EUCC are pleased to announce an international symposium exploring the conservation, management and restoration of coastal cliffs and lake bluffs. Understanding the significance of these areas and their management requirements in the face of human exploitation and the impact of climate change is a major challenge. In order to identify the status, issues and management requirements of these areas a symposium is organised.
The symposium will be held in Llandudno, Wales, United Kingdom.
- Monday 16th September 2013- Optional field excursion to the Great Orme.
- Tuesday 17th September 2013- Coastal Cliff and Lake Bluffs symposium plus an optional two course evening dinner with drinks reception.
- Wednesday 18th September 2013- Field excursion to South Stack, Anglesey.
- Thursday 19th September 2013- Field excursion to Llyn Peninsula
For information about booking attendance to this event please visit www.hope.ac.uk/cliffs or email cliffs@hope.ac.uk. Also see our cliff symposium blog http://cliffsymposium.wordpress.com/ and twitter @CliffSymposium for updates about the event and images of cliffs.
Special Series on Coastal Climate Change – New Issue on Ports and Renewable Energies April 26, 2013
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EUCC Germany together with the Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC) has published the 2nd issue of the Coastal & Marine Magazine Special Series on ‘Coastal Climate Change’. The series is supported by several national and international projects and the new issue focuses on ports and renewable energies. Covering articles from the Baltic and the North Sea, it discusses port development and port adaptation strategies, impacts on shipping routes and maritime labour markets, new possibilities for geothermal and wave energy generation but also the impacts of offshore wind farms on migratory birds.
The magazine aims at those professionally involved in coastal management, planning and conservation in Europe and can be downloaded under http://www.eucc-d.de/coastal-and-marine.html or http://www.eucc.net/coastalandmarine/index.htm.
Preparations are under way for two more issues in the Special Series on ‘Water and Beach Management’ and ‘Nature Conservation’ (both with respect to coastal climate change). Please feel free to contact the editorial team (eucc@eucc-d.de) if you feel that you could contribute articles to those upcoming issues.
Coastal & Marine Magazine Special Issue
