Context
Ecosystems such as coastal zones, transitional waters, and near-shore marine areas are among the most biologically productive, yet threatened systems in the world. Europe’s coastal systems are under considerable degradation due to growing population densities along the coast, pollution, eutrophication (nutrient enrichment from agriculture, waste water, etc. that leads to algae blooms), erosion and the introduction of alien species. The competitive pressure on Europe’s coastal regions is immense. Almost half of the EU population lives less than 50 km from the sea and coastal tourism is a hugely important economic sector employing over 3.2 million people.
If we are to protect our natural coastal ecosystems we will need to take a longer-term perspective and make necessary trade-offs between different coastal users. Key priorities are to increase the number and size of protected coastal ecosystems, better protect and manage those we have, and engage the public and all relevant stakeholders in that task.
HOW MIGHT WE (HMW) Questions
Urgent action is required to:
► HMW communicate the impact of human activities on coastal ecosystems, increase ocean literacy/awareness for the general public, to create public support for ecosystem conservation?
► HMW attribute values (monetary and others) to coastal ecosystem activities and services, helping evaluate externalities, to reduce human-induced pressures on coastal ecosystems by stakeholders and the general public?
► HMW support education on the topic of long-term challenges of people using the coastal system, to help them implement short term behaviour change aiming at reducing their impact?
► HMW ensure the alignment of short and long term objectives related to coastal activities, aiming at ensuring sustainable coastal exploitation?
► HMW educate users, citizens and blue economy actors to reduce their impact (pollution, degradation, erosion…) on urban and suburban coastal zones and ecosystems?
► HMW increase protection and expansion of protected coastal areas?
More information on the first Hack4Oceans is also available.