ICSU-endorsed initiative Sustainable Deltas 2015 launches in Rotterdam

The ICSU (International Council for Science) has endorsed the Sustainable Deltas 2015 initiative (SD2015), which was launched on 26th September 2014 at the 'Deltas in Times of Climate Change II International Conference' in Rotterdam.

The DELTAS project brings together world experts from the physical and social sciences with local stakeholders from government and non-profit organisations to enhance our scientific understanding of deltas as coupled socio-ecological systems. It also focuses on research into the value and vulnerability of deltas worldwide.

"The proportion of world deltas vulnerable to flooding is expected to increase by 50% in the 21st century, posing a serious threat to the deltas' natural habitats and to the people living in these low-lying areas," said Dr. Irina Overeem, Research Scientist for the Community Surface Dynamics Modelling System Facility at University of Colorado.

The SD2015 session at the Rotterdam conference, which launched the initiative, gave an overview of the state of the art in delta research, followed by a panel discussion. The session was one of several that was co-convened or contributed to by the Belmont Forum-funded international research team on deltas.

A full timetable of events is available from the Belmont Forum DELTAS website.

For more information on DELTAS and the conference, and to read to full press release, please visit the ICSU website.

Posted 27/09/2014 15:59