I thought this week’s topic was particularly interesting because it highlights the diversity of actors involved in preserving the well-being of the world’s coasts and coastal communities. For this reason, I was interested to read a piece published in the journal Nature recently that discusses the relationships between and among stakeholders in the context of environmental health and biodiversity in the world’s coastal regions.
Although it is not specifically discussing vulnerability and risk associated with coastal hazards, it brings up important topics about stakeholders working together for a flourishing coast. Specifically, this piece suggests that in order to sustain the seas, advocates of marine protected areas and those in fisheries management must work together, not at cross purposes.
That means that individual interests coming together must not contribute and act in the interests of their expertise, but take a holistic approach at tackling a coastal issue through strategies which include many different perspectives. The understanding of coastal nuances should be supported by unique perspectives from stakeholders ranging from local people to government policymakers and academic minds. This will help build a holistic understanding of local nuances and potentially effective interventions.
This also requires distancing oneself from personal viewpoints and biases that could influence the broader outcome. Ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of all stakeholders, based on empirical and demonstrable evidence. These are the things that make groups working for common goals successful.
References:
http://www.nature.com/news/policy-marine-biodiversity-needs-more-than-protection-1.20229