Global Issues
We must understand and balance human use of rivers, estuaries and watersheds with the conservation and health of these complex ecosystems.
At a time when most rivers and estuaries worldwide are threatened with the dual stresses of pollution and pressures from use, The Beacon Institute is a conduit for cutting-edge research to inform science, policy and management of vital environmental resources.
Waterways and Public Health
Public health is directly linked to clean watersheds and waterways. A majority of the world's people are dependent upon rivers, estuaries and their watersheds for survival, yet the supply and quality of these resources are vulnerable to complex human and natural impacts. Management of these resources can be improved with better understanding of how the resources function and respond to external changes. For example, the ability to measure and predict the availability and quality of water for drinking, fishing and food production is critical to guard public health at the local and regional levels. The fate of contaminants in both surface and ground water also must be predicted and controlled. The occurrence of sudden, episodic events, such as storms, floods, earthquakes or biological disturbances (such as algal blooms) must be detected and timely responses planned.
Sustainable Development on Riverfronts
Economic development engenders changing demands on water resources. Rivers and their estuaries are at ground zero for human impact. Humans have long chosen to develop riverbanks into metropolitan regions, substantially affecting everything from the flow of rivers to the diversity of fish and plants in estuaries. We must understand and balance human use of the river, estuaries and watersheds with the complexities of river and estuarine ecosystems.
Changing Planet – Changing Estuaries
Global changes are affecting rivers and estuaries throughout the world. Rivers and estuaries are extremely sensitive to global changes such as climatic shifts and sea level rise. It is important that the effects of these changes on the natural environment are better understood, through real-time data monitoring and other scientific advances, in order to anticipate and manage them.
Rivers, Estuaries and Public Security
As concerns about vulnerability to biological and chemical terrorist threats have increased in recent years, the observation and monitoring of vital water bodies has become a priority, and new methods and technologies will be required to do this effectively. The surveillance of coastal, harbor and estuary areas to detect intrusion or threats will be an important component of a comprehensive warning system.
Global Climate Change – our strategic response
The science of global climate change, and its economic, social and environmental impact on future generations is becoming more prominent with each passing year. Choices made in the United States, and by leaders in the Northeast will have great consequence in areas of research, technology innovation and policy around the world. The Beacon Institute's initiatives include a strategic thrust to assist in climate change research by:
- Developing smart sensors to improve modeling of underwater currents;
- Informing policy makers on the economic impact on civilization-critical estuaries that are susceptible to rising ocean levels;
- Assembling collaborative teams to examine the complex solutions that require multi-disciplinary representation; and
- Raising the collective educational literacy necessary to understand global climate change and appropriate responses.
