Proceedings of the Workshop on the Impacts of Climate Change at the Coastal and Ocean Areas of the East Asian Seas Region
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Proceedings of the Workshop on the Impacts of Climate Change at the Coastal and Ocean Areas of the East Asian Seas Region

PUBLICATION DATE:

Sunday, November 01, 2009

PUBLICATION TYPE:

Meeting Documents

STATUS:

Only Available Online

DESCRIPTION:

This publication summarizes the results of one of the workshops held during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 on the Impacts of Climate Change at the Coastal and Ocean Areas of the East Asian Seas Region. Climate changes are not new—cycles of tremendous climate changes have happened throughout Earth’s history; but in those times, the contributions from humans were nil or very insignificant. A grave concern is very apparent today; IPCC, in its 2007 report declared, beyond doubt, a warming of the global climate system and linking it to human activities. Humankind’s excesses have thus become manifold: pollution, overextractions, introductions, habitat destruction, and now climate change have tremendously altered ecosystems and the climate and are contributing to Earth’s destruction. It is against this backdrop that the Workshop on Impacts of Climate Change at the Coastal and Ocean Areas of the East Asian Seas Region was convened during the EAS Congress in Manila, Philippines in November 2009. This workshop was aimed at articulating climate change adaptation and resilience strategies within the context of sustainable development in coastal and marine environment. In particular, the workshop objectives are: To understand the types, level and severity of the adverse social and economic impacts of climate change; and To outline actions, initiatives or response measures within and outside the East Asian Seas region related to climate change adaptation and resilience strategies. The workshop was co-convened by the World Maritime University (WMU), the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs of RO Korea (MLTM) and the Swedish Environmental Secretariat for Asia (SENSA). The impacts to the East Asian Seas region were discussed as they relate to sustainable development in Monsoon Asia, fisheries production, and shipping (with the opening of Northeast Passage and Arctic meltdown). The active discussion and sharing of experiences between natural and social scientists and policymakers made reaching a common understanding of global change issues as they affect vulnerability and adaptation in coastal regional settings. The workshop also became a venue which bridged the practitioners of global change with those of a local rural development focus. Also amply articulated were different perspectives coming from disaster risk, conservation and coastal management practitioners.

 

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