Midlen & Carless - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)

8/8/2019 Midlen & Carless - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)

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Coastal LiteracyProgress report August 2010

Alex Midlen

and Rachel Carless (Coastal Literacy Officer,

CoastNet)



Overview

Introduced concept, August 2009 to CI Board

Nov 2009 - secured Defra funding

June 2010 appointed Coastal Literacy officer

Commenced development process



Coastal Literacy Project Timeline

Stakeholder surveys and interviews (by e/o July)

Information & knowledge gap analysis report writing (by e/o

August)

Defining the principles (expert panel) (Sept Nov)

Educational resource short film (Nov)

Principles to fundamental concepts includes 2 stakeholder

workshops (Dec Feb)

Develop Communications Plan inc 1 stakeholder workshop

(Feb 2011)

Launch of Resources and Comms Plan (May 2011)



What is Coastal Literacy?

It is about equipping the public, politicians and technicians

with the knowledge and understanding required to enable an

active and meaningful participation in coastal decision-

making.

This will be good for democracy, good for decision-making,

and empowering for communities.



Understands the Essential Principles and Fundamental

Concepts about the functioning of the coast, encompassing

social economic and environmental aspects;

Can communicate about the coast in a meaningful way;

Is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding

the coast and its resources.

A coastal-literate person:



Coastal management often very technical

Knowledge gap between government policy and people on

the ground

Need for a common framework of understanding (&

consistent messages) Well established and successful Ocean Literacy programme in

USA educating people from young age about coastal and

marine issues.

CL - offers potential for active and meaningful participation incoastal decision making and progress towards more

sustainable coastal policies

Need for Coastal Literacy





Its Diff erent Principles

P1 The influence of the sea has a profound impact on

environment, economy and society

± C1.1 The coast is a transition zone between land and sea

and as such exhibits a complex set of natural

characteristics and interactions

P2 The coast is an asset to the nation - natural, social and

economic

± C2.1 Coastal economies exhibit unique characteristics and

are not as robust as elsewhere



Change Principles

P3 The coast is a dynamic natural environment which has always

been subject to change and is likely to face increasing change

in the future, particularly as a result of climate change.

P4 Demographic change?

P5 Economic change?





Well-being Principles

P9 Coastal places hold a special fascination and affection for

people

(Concepts: emotional value; irrational attitudes; high value

heritage?; .......)

In the context of an island nation they [coastal places] have a fascinationfor people. This creates sentimental and, in some senses, irrational

approaches to investment in them. You only have to take a trip to the

theme park at Lands End to get a sense of this. (CCA)

P10 People have basic human rights that should be upheld bygovernment



Principles to Concepts

Principle Natural change

Concept There is great uncertainty about how and when

change will happen and there are difficulties of measuring and

communicating flood risk.

Concept - People naturally dismiss risk (smokers, people

texting whilst driving, climate change) and in particular they

are bound to resist probabilistic risk statements that concern

what others (government, say) should do to protect them

Insight what does this mean for how we act?





Potential Outcomes of

Coastal Literacy Greater consistency in decision-making

Social justice in decision-making

Wider acceptance amongst the public and local politiciansregarding managed realignment of the coast (in the context of

both erosion and flood defences)

Less conflict and more timely adoption of shoreline

management policy, ports policy, energy policy, wildlifeprotection policy, terrestrial and marine planning policy

More efficient and cost effective policy delivery regarding

both coastal and marine activity



Contact

Chichester Coastal Change Pathfinder Project

53 The High Street

Selsey

West SussexPO20 0RB

e: [email protected]

t: 07891 695 029

w: www.coastnet.org.uk

Documents

Midlen & Carless - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)