The Belgian Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences (RAOS) is organizing on Thursday 10 December 2015 a Multidisciplinary « Theme Day for Overseas Sciences ».
This first edition will focus on « Vulnerable Coastal Areas » and will take place at the Palais des Académies, rue Ducale 1 / Paleis der Academiën, Hertogsstraat 1, 1000 Brussels.
AIMS OF THE WORKSHOP
It is estimated that almost 70 % of the world’s population lives along the coastal fringe, which is prone to a wide diversity of casualties. The complex problems of today’s coastal zones require cooperation of natural and social scientists, engineers, planners, managers and politicians. Therefore, the Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences will organize a multidisciplinary workshop on 10 December 2015.
The workshop aims at recognizing and understanding the causes of natural and human-induced phenomena that pose a risk, and at anticipating the unexpected in order to reduce the risk to human life, safety and well-being.
An introductory part will deal with the natural hazards including but not limited to sea-level rise, erosion of dunes and beaches, wetland loss, earthquakes, flooding, run-off from urban and agricultural areas, tsunami, tropical storms, damage to coral reefs or mangrove forests,….
On top of the vulnerable coastal areas are the “megacities”, most of which are located at or below sea level. The list of adverse impacts associated with human activities is not exhaustive: increasing population growth, subsidence, groundwater withdrawal and pollution, construction and development of industrial, commercial, and recreational infrastructures, environmental degradation, dredging and waste disposal in the coastal zone and offshore, transport routes, … and, last but not least, society risks perception.
Registration: before 15 November 2015
E-mail: kaowarsom@skynet.be
More info: https://www.biodiversity.be/2958