Why?
Climate change has and will impact nature, ecosystems, agriculture and fisheries in many complex ways. While ecosystems and nature have their intrinsic values, they often provide essential goods and services to local communities and economies. To mitigate the negative impacts interventions and strategies are needed to increase resilience in both the natural systems and the human dimension, the communities and economies. These actions in areas such as policies, management and conservation and restoration efforts need to be based on sound science and need to be evaluated on their effectiveness and adjusted accordingly.
What do we do?
Connecting scientists from different fields with each other but also with local stakeholders, policy makers and managers.
Provide project management and evaluation.
Provide project tailored data from publicly available sources such as in-situ, satellite and climate model data.
Aid in disseminating science and action plans. We provide review and editorial services.
Provide funds to kick-start projects.
Who are we?
We are a non profit organization (501(c)(3) – status applied for), our efforts are funded through grants and donations. Our team consists of expert scientists and volunteers with a wealth of knowledge and proven publication record on subjects such as resilience, biology, ecology, climate change, modelling and remote sensing.
Our mission
We deliver state of the art science to increase 1) the resilience of natural systems and 2) the resilience of the communities that depend on the goods and services that those resources bring, to the impacts of climate change.
Areas of interest
Some examples of climate change impacts and how resilience applies.
Collaboration is key
Having scientists, stakeholders, managers, policy makers and end users work together from the conceptualization of a project on, increases buy-in for proposed actions. When people have an understanding of the goals and strategy, clarity
around their own role and responsibilities, and have true belief in the reasons behind and the objectives of the change that’s at hand, change is easier accepted.
1.
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are threatened by both temperature increases and ocean acidification. Coral reefs provide sustenance, income from tourism and jobs to millions of people globally. Local management actions such as limiting anchor damage and reducing land based sources of pollution can increase a coral reef’s resilience to climate change.
2.
Shell-fisheries
Ocean Acidification impacts shell-fisheries such as lobsters and oysters. For oysters specifically, acidification weakens their shells and render them more susceptible to damage from predators, parasites and environmental stress,
as well as damage during handling, harvesting and processing, resulting in losses. Resilience in communities can be enhanced by reducing local economic dependence on fisheries.
3.
Coffee
Coffee production in Ethiopia provides livelihoods for around 15 million farmers in Ethiopia and generates a quarter of the country’s export earnings. Relocation of coffee areas, in combination with forest conservation or re-establishment, could see at least an increase in suitable coffee farming area and increase the resilience of local communities.
4.
Rice
An important source of calories for almost half of the global population. Yields in China, India, Vietnam, Nigeria will be severely impacted. Bangladesh, has seen rice crop losses due to heat waves and low rainfall in the growing season. Coastal fields at sea level are at risk from rising sea levels.
5.
Maize
Temperature variations and decreased rainfall will impact all major corn growing areas. Climate change is already changing rainfall patterns and in Mozambique, where corn is used for local consumption, these impacts of climate change
could lead to shortages and famine. Can communities become more resilient by switching crops?
6.
Soy
Soy might benefit from higher CO2 concentrations and some farmers might see increase in yields as they can expand into areas to cool for soy now that will become warmer. Soy might be a ‘tool’ to make communities depending on other crops
to become more resilient.
Past, current projects and team members
Our team consists of expert scientists with a wealth of knowledge and proven publication record on subjects such as resilience, biology, ecology, climate change, modelling and remote sensing.
Ruben van Hooidonk
President