State of Fear or State of Oblivion? What Coastal Zones Are Telling Us about Global Change and Why We Need Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management on a Global Scale

Abstract

Globally, our coastal zones and oceans are providing significant evidence of the reality of climatic change and global warming. Yet we are still a long way from approaching an effective regime for managing ocean and coastal resources. This chapter outlines on a global scale the ways by which oceans and coasts are exhibiting the effects of climate change and the potential impacts on huge concentrations of the world’s population. Canada is used as an example of a country that has made advances in ocean and coastal management over the past decade, but not nearly enough considering the level of risk for resources, environments and people. The chapter challenges scientists and researchers to step beyond academic boundaries and contribute in a serious manner to the public debate about global climate change, its impacts on oceans and coasts and the implications for public policy. Finally, the author calls for the United Nations to establish a Commission on Ocean and Coastal Management to bring these critical issues to the global political agenda, and to provide the necessary support to regional, national and sub-national efforts to manage the world’s oceans and coasts on a sustainable basis within the context of global climate change.