What we do
Adapting to climate change:
Weather is a term that describes the current atmospheric conditions such as temperature, rainfall, wind speed among other things. It influences every aspect of our daily lives. Climate is the average pattern of weather for a particular region over a long period of time, usually at least 30 years.
It is now without doubt that the Earth’s climate is changing as a result of human activities, principally increased carbon dioxide emissions since pre-industrial times (1700s).
Countries around the world are working to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions, these are called mitigation measures. Work is also ongoing to adapt to climate changes, such as the increased number and strength of extreme events, e.g. hurricanes, storms and floods, and rising sea levels. Climate change adaptation is about taking action to respond to current and future climate change impacts.
Sandwatch contributes to climate change adaptation by ensuring that coastal ecosystems, especially beach systems, are more resilient and healthier, not just for today, but over the long term.
Examples of how Sandwatch contributes to climate change adaptation follow:
It is now without doubt that the Earth’s climate is changing as a result of human activities, principally increased carbon dioxide emissions since pre-industrial times (1700s).
Countries around the world are working to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions, these are called mitigation measures. Work is also ongoing to adapt to climate changes, such as the increased number and strength of extreme events, e.g. hurricanes, storms and floods, and rising sea levels. Climate change adaptation is about taking action to respond to current and future climate change impacts.
Sandwatch contributes to climate change adaptation by ensuring that coastal ecosystems, especially beach systems, are more resilient and healthier, not just for today, but over the long term.
Examples of how Sandwatch contributes to climate change adaptation follow:
Ocean acidification experiment
Students in Western Australia investigate ocean acidification.
Students collected a range of materials from the beach including shells, sand, cuttlebone, limestone rock and granite rock. Vinegar (acetic acid) was added to the samples and the students recorded any reactions. It was evident that all the samples containing calcium carbonate reacted with the acid producing bubbles of carbon dioxide gas as the calcium carbonate in the samples dissolved. Students then discussed how increasing ocean acidification levels from carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean may affect the ability of animals to produce calcium carbonate skeletons and shells including crabs, oysters and coral. This in turn affects marine organisms, the local fishery and the global food chain.
For more information see website article and report
Students collected a range of materials from the beach including shells, sand, cuttlebone, limestone rock and granite rock. Vinegar (acetic acid) was added to the samples and the students recorded any reactions. It was evident that all the samples containing calcium carbonate reacted with the acid producing bubbles of carbon dioxide gas as the calcium carbonate in the samples dissolved. Students then discussed how increasing ocean acidification levels from carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean may affect the ability of animals to produce calcium carbonate skeletons and shells including crabs, oysters and coral. This in turn affects marine organisms, the local fishery and the global food chain.
For more information see website article and report
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Sandwatch Video Competition “Coping with Climate Change – Sandwatch Leading the Way”
In 2008 Sandwatch groups around the world were invited to take part in a video competition demonstrating their efforts to confront climate change as it is affecting their beaches and communities. Students and teachers all over the world worked to film, edit and post online creative 3-minute videos. Almost two dozen entries were submitted from teams all over the world with winners chosen in age categories (primary/high school), as well as for creativity and originality. View some of the prize winning videos. |
Replanting the eroded dune with sea oats, Abaco, Bahamas
Sandwatch students in the Bahamas addressing the impact of hurricanes on their beaches
In 1999, category 5 Hurricane Floyd, eroded the beach and destroyed much of dune at Lodge Beach, Abaco, Bahamas. Sandwatch students worked to restore the dunes by replanting them with sea oats. The dunes were stabilized until the next severe hurricane in 2012 when again the beach and dune were eroded. The students were not deterred and replanted the dune, which fortunately withstood the next hurricane.
For more information, see website article.
In 1999, category 5 Hurricane Floyd, eroded the beach and destroyed much of dune at Lodge Beach, Abaco, Bahamas. Sandwatch students worked to restore the dunes by replanting them with sea oats. The dunes were stabilized until the next severe hurricane in 2012 when again the beach and dune were eroded. The students were not deterred and replanted the dune, which fortunately withstood the next hurricane.
For more information, see website article.