Natural Capital Conversations: Climate-smart coastal planning & sustainable development (4/22/2021)

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.

Moderator & Panelist:
-Katie Arkema, Lead Scientist, the Natural Capital Project, Stanford University (Moderator)
-Manishka De Mel, Senior Staff Associate, The Earth Institute, Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia University
-Fabio Cresto Aleina, Climatologist, climate change consultant, and freelance journalist
-Sayda Rodríguez Gómez, Secretary of Sustainable Development, Government of Yucatan
-Arlene Young, Director, Belize Coastal Zone Management and Authority and Institute
-Luis Chevez, Sustainable Tourism Technical Officer, World Wildlife Fund Honduras
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The Natural Capital Conversations is the newest addition to NatCap’s virtual programming. Join us for monthly live conversations with expert panelists from across NatCap’s diverse network of scientists, practitioners, and leaders in government and the private sector.

To learn more about the NatCap Conversation series: https://stanford.io/3or05zs

Our Conversations format is designed to spark engaging discussion, learn from others’ experiences, and promote connections with collaborators old and new.

In 2021, the events will feature everything from climate-smart coastal planning to cultural ecosystem services and more. We encourage you to participate in the live sessions, where you’ll be able to engage with panelists. Each session’s recording will be posted on our YouTube page after the event.

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