Brussels, November 1st, 2023. Today, Wednesday, November 1st, from the European project LIFE COSTAdapta, we join the global community in commemorating World Ecology Day. This significant occasion aims to raise awareness and sensitize people to the necessity of preserving the environment and promoting ecological actions that contribute to the health of our planet. Through the celebration of this day, we pay tribute to ecology as a scientific discipline and acknowledge the work of ecological professionals.
What is the role of ecology?
Ecology studies the relationships between living beings and the environment that surrounds them, although its focus is not exclusively limited to the study of green areas. It carries out activities and actions that contribute to the sustainability of the environment and the planet, with the goal of improving the quality of life for both humans and their surroundings.
Through ecology, the importance of carrying out actions in harmony with the environment to favor the planet’s biodiversity is promoted. Some examples of these actions include optimizing production, consumption, and services based on ecological criteria, managing generated waste, and conserving water, among other practices.
The pioneering LIFE COSTAdapta system provides advantages to coastal ecosystems
The LIFE COSTAdapta project proposes an integrated ecological solution to strengthen coastal resilience against climate change by creating Tidal pool-reefs. These reefs will not only protect against coastal erosion by quieting waves and currents but also promote ecotourism by attracting visitors interested in sustainability, coastal nature, and the unique local biodiversity of Gran Canarias.
Moreover, the project aims to raise awareness among the community and visitors about the significance of conservation, adding value to local ecological understanding. Furthermore, it focuses on encouraging innovation and research to establish collaborations that can replicate this solution in other coastal regions facing similar challenges, thereby promoting the continuous improvement of this approach through partnerships with experts and public-private collaborations.
About LIFE COSTAdapta
LIFE COSTAdapta project aims to address the adaptation of the coast of Gran Canaria to sea-level rise through an innovative methodology. To achieve this, a progressive system of Tidal pool-reefs will be designed and tested, combining traditional tidal pool construction techniques with advanced solutions.
This will contribute to the gradual adaptation of the Gran Canaria coast to climate change, which is crucial given the high vulnerability of the Canary Islands to climate impacts, including sea-level rise. In addition to strengthening the resilience of coastal areas, LIFE COSTAdapta seeks to preserve the characteristic habitats of these areas and protect the local tourist economy. The project will ensure economic sustainability by providing solutions against flooding and maintaining the region’s tourist appeal, which in turn will favor coastal stability.
The project, with a duration of 7 years and a total budget of 3,409,864 EUR (2,045,818 EUR subsidized by the European Union through the LIFE Program), is coordinated by Consejo Insular de Energía de Gran Canaria (CIEGC) by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, with the support of its seven partners.