Coastal Climate Change Adaptation A SIDS Education Imperative Dr Lorna V. Inniss - BARBADOS

Transcription

1 Coastal Climate Change Adaptation A SIDS Education Imperative Dr Lorna V. Inniss - BARBADOS

2 Presentation Anatomy - CCA A Barbados model for coastal CCA that: Protects the natural lines of defense Enforces coastal planning and policy regimes Addresses sea level-related hazards Conducts effective shoreline stabilization Addresses data and information needs

3 Presentation Anatomy - Education Improvement of relationship with oceans and coasts Education for coastal planning Involvement in ecosystem conservation Shoreline stabilization and coastal hazards Teacher training and course development Location and structure of schools and other critical buildings

4 Why the Barbados Model? We heard yesterday that one size does NOT fit all, BUT this model has overcome many of the challenges discussed: The human dimension The political dimension The messages that appeal Everyone involved in the solution Sustainable financing for ICZM/CCA

5 The Human Dimension There is no higher calling for human beings than the saving of lives Work with people s self interest, while achieving ICZM/CCA goals Knowledge is the first step to changing behavior

6 The Political Dimension Informed policy makers translate to: Sustained financing for ICZM & CCA Fewer policy decisions with negative impacts Data and information requirements are funded Change in administration does not change program support

7 Natural Lines of Defense

8 Coastal Hazards Marine and coastal ecosystems act as natural buffers to sea level-related hazards Loss of natural buffers turns natural events into human disasters At least 70-90% of the energy from wind generated waves is absorbed depending on how healthy these ecosystems are and their physical and ecological characteristics (UNESCO State of the World s Oceans Report)

9 High South Coast Waves

10 Crane Beach Before

11 Crane Beach North

12 CORAL REEFS - NATURAL BR EAKWATERS Allow waves to dissipate 70-90% of their destructive energy offshore Area covered by: Bank reefs 15.9 km Fringing reefs 1.53 km Approx. 80% fringing reefs lost Bank reefs decreased from 37.3% % over a decade

13 ANTHROPOGENIC STRESSORS Anchor damage Tourism pressure Land based sources of marine pollution Harvesting for sale Destructive fishing

14 Mangroves - Natural Shock Absorbers Buffers Limit floodwater inundation Mangroves covered almost our entire coastline Replaced by Destroyed approx. 95% Primarily via coastal construction

15 RUBBLE, SEA GRASS Not much help in a major disaster BUT can offer some protection against wave action

16 HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS SAVE LIVES!

17 Coastal Planning

18 Coastal Land Use Planning A permitting process based on a coastal zone management plan that: Imposes conditions on coastal infrastructure to protect both life and ecosystems Reduces economic vulnerability to sea levelrelated hazards Maintains recreational space for citizens and visitors

19 Coastal Zone Management Area

20 Not Enough to Influence the Message!!! No more schools within the vulnerable zone OR Choose sites with lower vulnerability Mangroves and/or other vegetation between school and water Maintain wide beaches fronting schools Ensuring structural integrity of schools

21 DATA AND INFORMATION NEEDS FOR COASTAL CCA

22 Data Needs for Coastal CCA Marine meteorology High resolution bathymetry Offshore wave climate Nearshore wave transformations Beach profile measurements Sediment transport mechanisms

23 Data Needs Continued For conservation of natural lines of defense Ecosystem measurements Water quality and discharge monitoring Monitor human activities that will exacerbate storm surge

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25 Offshore Wave climate

26 Nearshore Wave Transformation

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29 Beach Profile Measurements

30 What happens when Climate Change overwhelms us? Some emergency or long-term works to reduce wave energy Properly designed and modeled coastal engineering Make the solution as soft and unobtrusive as possible

31 Criteria for Execution Climate change is occurring FASTER than our ability to protect, plan and control Planning and legislative controls have failed Natural lines of defense non-existent or in poor health Natural resilience of beaches is compromised Significant economic installations are vulnerable

32 Shoreline Stabilization Numerical modeling to predict the behavior of the coast under varying oceanographic conditions Physical modeling of complex coastal solutions Building of structures within the coastal zone to stabilize the shoreline, control erosion, and protect infrastructure

33 Barbados Project - Nearshore Wave Modelling Simulations carried out using M21 NSW A Two-Stage Modelling Process Coarse Grids (ΔX=20m ΔY=100m) Nested Grids (ΔX=4m ΔY=20m) Plan View of Barbados

34 Final Design Efforts Physical Modeling Construction

35 Select Preferred Concepts & Focus Final Design Efforts on Preferred Concepts B A Select Preferred Concept C Design Process Final Design

36 Holetown Physical Model

37 Model Construction

38 Model Construction

39 Holetown Model / Prototype

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44 Final Design

45 Rockley

46 Welches

47 Coastal CCA Education Challenge students and adults to learn about their coast Waterworld Encourage involvement in data collection programs SANDWATCH & BADASS Monthly coastal hikes with commentary PROJECTS, PROJECTS. PROJECTS Teacher training at academy level

48 Coastal Risk Assessment and Management Project Build resilience to coastal hazards Will incorporate CCA strategies into ICZM DRR issues related to coastal hazards will be addressed Diagnostic studies will be repeated Shoreline stabilization continues

49 Education programmes and early warning systems will significantly reduce the number of human casualties, but it will only be through careful coastal and land-use planning that the economic and social costs of such disasters can be kept to a minimum Isabelle Louis, Director of WWF International s Asia-Pacific Programme.

50 THANK YOU!!! Dr Lorna Inniss CHAIR Caribbean Tsunami and Coastal Hazards Warning System Co-CHAIR Standing Committee on Coastal Hazards Deputy Director, Coastal Zone Mgt Unit, Barbados Coordinator Group of Experts for the Global Marine Assessment