Earth Day Event: Climate-smart coastal planning and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean
Earth Day Event: Climate-smart coastal planning and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean
April 22, 2021 - 10:00 to 11:30 am PT
Registration closes the morning of the event at 7:00 am (PT)
Join us for a special Earth Day Natural Capital Conversation! Coastal communities worldwide are facing a growing number of severe coastal hazards due to warming oceans, extreme heat, and other effects of climate change. The Caribbean shores of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras are no exception to these threats, but they also hold a diverse and productive natural environment that can help buffer impacts to communities. The region is home to the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere—just one example of key natural capital that can help reduce disaster risk, secure local food resources, and support economic development. But for people to benefit from nature, coastal management decision-makers must consider climate impacts and investments in natural infrastructure. In this session, government leaders, practitioners, and academics will discuss recent initiatives and scientific advancements in Latin America and the Caribbean that can serve as examples for climate adaptation and sustainable development efforts globally.
This session will be presented in both in English and Spanish with live simultaneous translation.
¡Únete a nosotros para una conversación especial sobre Capital Natural por el Día de la Tierra! Las comunidades costeras de todo el mundo se enfrentan a un número creciente de graves peligros costeros debidos al calentamiento de los océanos, el calor extremo y otros efectos del cambio climático. Las costas caribeñas de México, Belice, Guatemala y Honduras no son una excepción a estas amenazas, pero a la vez poseen un entorno natural diverso y productivo que puede ayudar a amortiguar los impactos en las comunidades. La región alberga la barrera de coral más grande del hemisferio occidental, solo un ejemplo de capital natural clave que puede ayudar a reducir el riesgo de desastres, asegurar los recursos alimentarios locales y apoyar el desarrollo económico. Pero para que las personas se beneficien de la naturaleza, quienes toman las decisiones en la gestión costera deben considerar los impactos climáticos y las inversiones en infraestructura natural. En esta sesión, personas líderes gubernamentales, profesionales y académicas discutirán iniciativas y avances científicos recientes en América Latina y el Caribe que pueden servir como ejemplos para la adaptación climática y los esfuerzos de desarrollo sostenible a escala mundial.
Esta sesión se presentará tanto en inglés como en español con traducción simultánea en vivo.
Moderator: Katie Arkema, Lead Scientist, the Natural Capital Project, Stanford University
Katie leads several efforts around the world to develop and use science about how nature benefits people to inform problems humans face in managing coastal and marine ecosystems. Katie is particularly interested in the ability of coastal ecosystems to protect vulnerable communities from sea level rise and storms, while providing other services such as nursery habitat for fisheries and tourism opportunities.
Panelist: Manishka De Mel, Senior Staff Associate, The Earth Institute, Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia University
Manishka has a background in climate change, conservation, and environmental management. At CCSR, she carries out research, stakeholder engagement, and management of the Adaptation for Development and Conservation (ADVANCE) partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF). In 2007, she received the UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Award. Manishka has a MA in Climate and Society from Columbia University and a MS in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Management from the University of Oxford, UK.
Panelist: Fabio Cresto Aleina, Climatologist, climate change consultant and freelance journalist
Fabio is a climatologist who worked for 10 years in different European research institutes investigating climate change impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, from the Arctic permafrost to tropical rainforests. He is now based in Central America, working with NGOs and local governments on elaborating climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Panelist: Sayda Rodríguez Gómez, Secretary of Sustainable Development, Government of Yucatan
Sayda Melina Rodriguez Gomez is the Minister of Sustainable Development of the State of Yucatan, Mexico. Maestra Sayda holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Resource Management from Universidad Marista de Merida and a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from UADY. From 2015 to 2018, she was the head of the Sustainable Development Unit at the Government of the city of Merida. She has 18 years of experience in sustainable development.
Panelist: Arlene Young , Director, Belize Coastal Zone Management and Authority and Institute
Arlene Young is the Director of the Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute. She is responsible for the supervision and administration of the Institute and all its programs and projects. She holds a MSc. in Natural Resource and Environmental Management from the University of the West Indies. Arlene has twelve years of experience leading national-level initiatives and legislation in sustainable financing, natural resource governance, and integrated coastal zone management.
Panelist: Luis Chevez , Sustainable Tourism Technical Officer, World Wildlife Fund Honduras
Luis Chevez is a professional of ecotourism with a passion to promote conservation and sustainable development. For 13 years, he has worked in Central America and internationally, within grass-roots organizations and international cooperation agencies. As part of the WWF Mesoamerica team, Luis leads his office efforts to climate smart CMPA and coastal zones in Honduras, playing a key role in transferring knowledge and capacities to Honduras authorities and coastal stakeholders.
