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The
Coastal Society's June
29 - July 2, 2008 |
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Guidelines
for Presenters
To learn more about
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Conference Tracks (Download PDF version of Call and Themes) Effective
Integration of Coastal Science, Policy and Management Integrating the seemingly separate disciplines of coastal science, policy-making and management is an extremely complex challenge, but critical to ensure a sum greater than its parts. Challenges include the rapid increases in the type and amount of scientific data collected and analyzed, the jurisdictional difficulties in managing coastal and ocean resources, the inherent differences between the generation and use of information, and competing resource uses and users. These often lead to a lack of knowledge sharing, poor communication and coordination, and even distrust between the disciplines and, in many instances, to unused or unknown research outputs, the inefficient use of human and financial assets, and a stagnation of strategies designed to aid coastal residents and protect vital natural resources. How can we better connect the dots to use the best science to create the best policies for superior decision-making? How can we educate discipline-oriented scientists about the diverse factors that policy makers must consider? This track welcomes submissions that offer analyses, examples, and case studies for integrating our scientific knowledge and expertise with effective policies on the coast.
Among coastal nations, disparity exists in available human and financial resources, political regimes, and cultural sensitivities, all of which play roles in developing management concepts and implementing policies. However, comparing and contrasting coastal management strategies from many nations offer valuable lessons and innovative solutions to coastal problems. Given the unprecedented attention towards such critical global issues as climate change, loss of biodiversity, invasive species, coral reef preservation and port security, this track invites submissions which share illustrations from international experiences and offer consideration of the widest variety of practicable coastal management schemes. What original scientific research methods and novel approaches to management and governance are transferable among nations? What can we learn from examples of successful, multinational coastal management? What will our differences teach us and what similarities connect us? What tools can we share for increased capacity building?
The increasing costs of living in coastal communities and decreasing access to public resources show an alarming concentration of wealth and power that can undermine a community’s economy, deepen racial and class divides and tear communities apart. Images from the days following Hurricane Katrina and the devastation left behind confirmed that economic decisions, environmental and natural resource policies, race, class and political power are inevitably connected. How can coastal policies better advance the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of coastal laws and policies? What examples of social justice in coastal areas offer solutions for the widening divide and opportunities for those disproportionately affected and without political power? From affordable housing and tax policies to adequate public access to natural resources, this track encourages submissions that explore key connections between economic and environmental policies, particularly those that impact equality for people of coastal nations, the welfare of workers, communities of color and the environment.
Energy
is a driving force behind our economy. As coastal areas continue
to be popular places to live and play, energy consumption will
continue to rise. Coasts are uniquely affected by this energy
demand through the siting of production facilities and transportation
corridors in coastal and ocean waters, associated onshore infrastructure
and energy consumption. As traditional energy sources are exhausted
and alternative energy makes gains politically, economically,
and technologically, issues such as new source production versus
conservation, public interest versus “best use”
of resources, and effects on traditional public uses have become
hot topics. How should we mitigate the coastal energy footprints
that we already have left behind, and what are viable solutions
to reduce future energy impacts? How should local, state and
national governments focus their efforts to balance the energy
demands of the populace with the consequences of an increasing
demand for energy resources? This track invites submissions
that offer perspectives on the impact of energy siting, consumption
and production on coastal communities and ecosystems in environmental,
economic, and sociological ways. Coastal land use planning is an ever-present issue for all coastal areas. Development often drives the need for a comprehensive strategy to address hazard mitigation, public access, shore stabilization, water quality, and a variety of social issues. Increasing vulnerability to hazards challenge coastal managers, land use planners, and floodplain managers in new ways, along with long-standing concerns such as determining the best use of coastal areas, maintaining traditional and water-dependent uses and minimizing environmental impacts. How will coastal communities plan for the inevitable physical and social changes and reduce impacts for the benefit of present and future generations? What are the lessons learned from our past efforts? This track invites submissions that highlight emerging topics in coastal land use planning and offer innovative solutions to prevailing coastal development problems.
With increasing sea level rise projected in the next century, many coastal towns and cities will be threatened by climate change-driven hazards. With widespread agreement about the reality of climate change, it is time to reassess what we know about the potential impacts of climate change on both humans and the broader coastal environment. What are the best options offered by the legal and regulatory frameworks for handling climate change impacts, and how do economics and environmental interests influence these options? How can we use momentum from the public's rising awareness to help accomplish better coastal management? What efforts have already been made to successfully mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change? Finally, by focusing on minimizing impacts of climate change, have we abandoned efforts to minimize climate change itself? This track encourages submissions that address the broader legal, economic and social issues related to climate changes, as well as scientific studies regarding specific impacts on the coasts.
Working waterfronts and waterways are essential for the global economy, with trade, tourism, seafood and fishing industries heavily dependent on their use. With these valuable industries come the potential for serious environmental impacts, including the degradation of water quality and habitat. Sewage releases, anchor damage, ballast-water borne invasive exotic species and regular dredging to maintain shipping lanes impact the associated vital coastal ecosystems. How are coastal managers addressing and minimizing these impacts and restoring ecosystems? Of equal concern is the threat of diminishing access that water-dependent users face. With sections of the waterfront rapidly gentrifying nationwide, how can commercial and recreational users preserve their access to the water? This track invites submissions that analyze both environmental and anthropogenic issues related to working waterfronts, and especially those that offer solutions to current problems. Abstract submission was online only and the deadline has passed. Abstracts were due November 6, 2007. Acceptance will be provided by December 20, 2007.
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last updated
02/03/2008
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