Will local communities continue to resist coastal adaptation measures that are beneficial to the nation?

At Water & Environment 2011: CIWEM’s Annual Conference, Julian Payne from the Environment Agency will be discussing how rising sea levels will require significant adaptation by some communities. In particular, the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Shoreline Management Plan review has highlighted long term coastal pressures affecting Mounts Bay, which could impact on the main London to Penzance rail line, the iconic landscape setting of St Michaels Mount, and the future of the Victorian Promenade between Penzance and Newlyn.

Managing community aspirations and delivering future economic prosperity is led by the Council’s Development Framework Plan for Penzance and Newlyn. However, national infrastructure provision and funding for the rail line and Flood and Coastal Risk Management works is pivotal for any future plans. The Big Society will need to resolve local values and aspirations with national priorities and international commitments. Part of the challenge is convincing local communities of climate change and the need for adaptation. There is often little acceptance by the local community of the scale of changing climate predicted.

Julian Payne’s presentation, Coastal Adaptation Challenges for the Big Society, will review the coastal pressures, historic and future; the range of solutions, benefits and impacts; community engagement, perceptions and concerns; and the influence of local and national funding and governance in managing climate change adaptation.

Water & Environment 2011: CIWEM’s Annual Conference will focus on the Big Society and aims to provide a comprehensive response to the Government’s Programme.  The event takes place on 6th and 7th April 2011 and will include a mix of keynote speakers, offered papers, exhibitions and networking opportunities that will make this the key event for water and environment professionals.

Richard Benyon MP, Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, and John Edmonds, Aldersgate Group Lead on Environmental Skills, Non-Executive Director of Carbon Trust, Former General Secretary of the GMB Trade Union and Chair of the Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAC), are just two of the confirmed keynote speakers to give their response to the Government’s programme. For more information, go to http://www.ciwem.org/events/annual-conference.aspx.

Source: The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)

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