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Impacts of Global Warming and Sea Level Rise and Future of the Coastal Environment
- Asia and Pacific Aspect -
17 November 2000, Kobe, Japan
Introduction
The APN/SURVAS/LOICZ Symposium on "Impacts of Global Warming and Sea Level Rise and Future of the Coastal Environment - Asia and Pacific Aspect" was held at the Harborland New Otani Hotel, Kobe, on 17 November 2000. The symposium followed the three-day APN/SURVAS/LOICZ Conference on "Coastal Impacts of Climate Change in the Asia-Pacific Region" (14-16 Nov). Approximately 80 people attended the symposium including conference participants, local researchers and citizens and the media.
The symposium had three keynote speakers and a panel session.
Opening address
Ms. Kazuko Watanabe, APN Deputy Director
Ms. Watanabe opened the session and gave an introductory presentation about APN.
Impact of Global Warming
Prof. Robert NICHOLLS, Middlesex University, UK
Prof. Nicholls described our changing coasts, sea level rise, vulnerability
assessments and highlighted susceptible areas and systems (salt marshes,
mangroves & coastal wetlands), as well as national vulnerability profiles
and selected climate change factors relevant to coasts. Having mentioned
these issues, Prof. Nicholls talked about possible human responses to global
warming and sea level rise and the adaptation framework for coastal areas.
Impact and Response Strategies to Climate Change and Sea Level Rise in the Asia-Pacific Region
Prof. Nobuo MIMURA, Ibaraki University, Japan
Prof. Mimura opened his presentation with low-lying areas potentially vulnerable
to sea level rise. Specifically Tianjin in China and coastal environmental
management programs in Thailand. Prof. Mimura then focused on South Pacific
Islands (Tonga & Fiji). The physical impacts of sea level rise was
addressed, as was the tracks of tropical cyclones.
Future of the Coastal Environment
Dr. Colin WOODROFFE, University of Wollongong, Australia
Dr. Woodroffe emphasised the difficulty of predicting the future of the
coastal environment. Woodroffe then addressed the issues of monitoring
sea level rise (Pacific Project) and Tidal Gauges and the ENSO effect.
He outlined the dynamics of a beach - profile, plan form, mudflat morphology
& tidal inlet shape - using science and engineering, and in the utilisation
of models. Woodroffe also discussed the human changes of boundary conditions,
human perturbation of a system and human action intrinsic within a system.
He concluded with the future of the coastal environment, where there will
be an ever-increasing body of knowledge, the need for multi-disciplinary/international
research, the use of models as possible forecast tools, the desirability
for more rigorous testing to determining the cause and the need for caution
with emotive-political factors to be considered.
Panel Session
Prof. Roger McLean of the University of New South Wales, Australia, acting as
moderator opened the panel session. He reviewed the 3-day conference, the keynote
presentations, introduced the theme of the panel "How Does Global Warming Affect the Future Environment in Asia and the Pacific?" and
the panel: Nobuo Mimura (Ibaraki University, Japan), Colin Woodroffe (University
of Wollongong, Australia), Yoshiki Saito (Geological Survey of Japan), Anwar
Ali (SPARRSO, Bangladesh), Sripen Durongdej (Kasetsart University, Thailand)
and Leone Limalevu (Department of Environment, Fiji). Prof. McLean then opened
the session to the floor for questions. This prompted a lively interactive debate
between the audience and the panel.
Dr. Yokoki asked the panellist to outline their respective country coastal
environment problems. Dr. Ali talked about the need for adaptive solutions
to coastal problems in Bangladesh. He said that people in his country had
lived with cyclone threats and floods all of their life, they can adapt.
People are part of the solution to coastal problems (public & private
enterprise). Dr. Durongdej described Thailand from a human dimensions perspective.
Reiterated Mimura's comments made during his keynote presentation that
Thailand's biggest problem is flooding. The flood problem has been reduced
in Bangkok with the construction of dykes, but this has affected farmers
in northern areas who are not protected. The Thai government believes that
it is of paramount importance to protect Bangkok as an economic centre.
There are future plans to replant mangroves. Tourism may however be a future
coastal environment problem.
Mr. Shiraishi raised the issue of sea level rise in the Seto inland sea.
Prof. Mimura responded with details of the Japanese coastline (length of
coastline,
number of sandy beaches, etc). He also explained that a one-metre sea level rise
would result in the loss of 90 per cent of Japanese sandy beaches. Mimura also
outlined the protection of economic centres, such as Osaka and Tokyo, from sea
level rise by dykes. Mr. Shiraishi responded by saying that what Prof. Mimura
said was true but people should be aware that although Kobe and Osaka may be
protected from the sea, other areas are not; such as Shikoku. Shiraishi drew
parallels with Thailand and highlighted the need to raise the awareness of people
living in unprotected areas. He also stated that you can't just wait for politicians
to take action, they don't understand the issues, they need to be trained and
educated.
Durongdej reiterated the need to educate policy makers while South Pacific
Island delegates talked about the importance of raising awareness among
local people. Mr. Limalevu explained that you should take into account
where you are from. For instance, sea level rise measures are at the hands
of the local people who own land in the South Pacific. There may also be
occasions for the need to use a top-down approach, such as when there are
external factors. For example, pollution from another community, etc. Another
issue discussed during the panel session was the transfer of technology.
Prof. Mimura explained that sea level technology is in many ways site specific.
Japanese technology is suitable for the Japanese environment. Natural methods
(mangroves & coral
reefs) may be a more suitable method in Pacific Island States. McLean interjected
that the transfer of technology is important
but we also need to transfer traditional knowledge. Dr. Saito added that
the wisdom of the region should be utilised, as should the experience of
other regions throughout the world. Durongdej highlighted the importance
of inviting policy makers to meetings such as the APN/LOICZ/SURVAS symposium.
Prof. Mimura highlighted global warming and the relationship with scientists
and policy makers. In particular the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio and the establishment
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. Progress
has been very fast. He stressed the importance of providing scientific
information to policy makers and the need for politicians to understand
global warming issues.
Closing
Prof. McLean thanked everyone for their contribution to the panel session, as
well as to the APN for organising the symposium. Mr. Martin Rice, APN Programme
Manager, also thanked everyone for their efforts and closed the symposium.
Programme
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