The East Coast LAB (Life at the Boundary) is hosting a public talk in Hawke’s Bay aiming to inform its people about New Zealand’s latest coastal hazards and sea level science and how the impacts can be managed.
The talk will be lead by three researchers – the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research’s Dr. Rob Bell, Victoria University’s Dr. Judy Lawrence and Ministry of Environment Dr. Dan Zwartz.
“Climate change will increase the risk of coastal hazards around New Zealand as sea level rises and we need to be prepared for this change,” Bell said.
Lawrence, meanwhile, said: “Across New Zealand we need to adopt some new approaches to support iwi/hapū and coastal communities in preparing for change that is sustainable over the long-term.”
Both researchers are authors of the updated Ministry for the Environment’s Coastal Hazards and Climate Change Guidance.
Kate Boersen of East Coast LAB said the organisation wants to help ensure communities along the East Coast are aware of the impacts of climate change on natural hazards and people and on possible ways to manage these impacts.
The talk will be held on July 19, at 7pm, at the LAB at the National Aquarium of New Zealand.
Similar events and workshops are also being held across the country to help councils and communities implement the guidance. These are being supported by the Ministry for the Environment, in partnership with councils, the Deep South National Science Challenge, the NZ Coastal Society and NIWA.
