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CHICHESTER HARBOUR URGED TO PREPARE FOR SEA-LEVEL RISE |
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Written by coder
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Monday, 30 October 2006 |
Professor Mike Clark of the Geodata Institute urged Chichester Harbour to prepare for the effects of climate change at a conference held last week.
Professor Clark was speaking at the Rhythms of the Tide conference held at the Langstone Hotel. The conference, hosted by Chichester Harbour Conservancy, looked back at the 40 Hlf-funded projects that have been completed over the past three years as part of the Rhythms of the Tide project. Included in these has been the purchase and running of a 50-seater solar-powered boat Solar Heritage, the construction of the Salterns Way cycle route and the restoration of the Victorian oyster boat Terror. Other projects have included the clean up of derelict sea defences, creation of reedbeds, archaeological research and an expansion of the harbour education service. Commenting on the future of Chichester Harbour AONB, Professor Clark stated that ‘none of us are ready for climate change, but following the Rhythms of the Tide, Chichester Harbour is perfectly position to get ready.’ He told the conference that climate change and the resulting sea-level rise will happen and it is essential that coastal communities start to prepare now. Key areas are collecting and using data on the current and historical developments in the harbour. Raising awareness with local residents and users of the harbour is also very important. These changes can’t be ignored but by building up and disseminating our knowledge base we can all be prepared. Professor Clark went on to say that ‘local voices are incredibly important and in fact equally as important as expert opinion’. The two-day conference was attended by over 120 people representing the county and district councils, local parish councils, landowners with the AONB and local community groups. Workshops were held each afternoon to discuss the way forward in specific areas such as Access for All and Education. The conference encouraged the Conservancy to put forward a further bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to continue building on the huge amount of work completed in the last three years.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 June 2007 )
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