november 2007

30-11-2007
UN launches climate change website

A new United Nations Internet site, "Gateway to the UN System's Work on Climate Change", that highlights the wide-ranging work of the various parts of the United Nations system on climate change was launched today.  The new website makes it easier for Internet users to find information on climate change from across the United Nations system.

The address of the new website is http://www.un.org/climatechange

In addition to bringing Member States together to find common ground for addressing climate change at the international level, the United Nations works to assess the most up-to-date science on climate change, develop projects that assist people at the grass-roots level to adapt to the consequences of climate change and works to develop creative solutions that will reduce the emissions of the gases that cause climate change.

The new climate change gateway provides easy access to the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the latest developments on efforts to reach a new international climate change agreement, news, as well as information on future climate change events, projects in the field and climate change updates for youth.  Information on the high-level event that will take place on 24 September can be found at http://www.un.org/climatechange/2007highlevel  

For more information, contact Dan Shepard, United Nations Department of Public Information, tel: 212 963 9495, email: mediainfo@un.org




15-11-2007
NL: Innovation platform pleads for experimental island in North Sea
The Dutch government installed Innovation Platform, consisting of key players in politics, government and private parties, has called for further elaboration of the idea of constructing an offshore island. The Platform wants to exploit the huge attention that was recently given to the idea by Christian-Democrat parliament member Atsma. Under the leadership of Dutch PM Balkenende was decided that such an island would have an experimental character for both technical and procedural reasons.

The Platform therefore speaks of an experiment-island and uses the shape of a tulip for reasons of promotion (see image below). A resolution accepted by the Dutch parliament requests the Government to investigate the possibility of a North Sea polder or island, will demand specific attention from the recently founded Deltacommission (named after the famous commission that led to the formation of the deltaplan and deltaworks).



Combined effort water sector and energy sector
Within the Innovation Platform, professor Hulscher, water expert at the Twente University, and entrepreneur and former SME president, De Boer, will lead the investigation. According to Hulscher the shape of the process and co-operation play an important role: "The water and energy sectors desperately need space for experimentation. By means of an island or group or islands we will stimulate innovation that will lead to answers to issues like climate change, ecology and economy."

Scepticism from water experts
Atsma's idea for a polder in the North Sea has been received with a certain scepticism from civil and coastal engineers and professionals. They affirm the notion of 'seaward thinking', but see a polder in the North Sea as impracticable. With respect to the construction costs, water experts have given no opinion so far. During the debate in Parliament, Atsma spoke of a polder in the North Sea of about the size on one-and-a-half times the existing Noordoostpolder, claiming a revenue of property sale of €6 billion. "Revenues, however, depend on the use of the newly created land. A high-quality residential function increases the value, but would rely on costly protection measures", according to Royal Haskoning expert Zijlstra. "A new row of offshore dunes with nature in between that can work with the natural dynamics of the coastal zone, seem to bee much more feasible."

"Densely populated deltas should think seaward"
The thought of a new row of dunes has also been on the mind of engineer Waterman, who is involved in land reclamation efforts accros the globe. He thinks more in the direction of a series of islands, compared to the Wadden islands. Waterman roughly estimates the total area of the Wadden islands of 70,000 hectares. This already implies 17 billion cubic metres of needed sand. At a price of €3 per cubic metre of sand, a cost of at least €50 billion can be expected for the material only. "Technological this is a possibility", Waterman claims, "The dredging knowledge is available". Waterman is enthusiastic about the sudden interest for seaward land reclamation. "Climate change force densely populated deltas to think also in terms of seaward expansion".

Connect island-row with Central Holland
Consultant Dircke of Arcadis consultancy compares the idea of an island row with the American city Miami. "There, offshore islands are mutual connected, but are also separately connected with the mainland. This means that the island population can easily go for shopping on the mainland", according to Dircke. Dircke can imagine such a situation also in front of the Central Holland shore, with islands and lagoons in between occupied with villas and harbours, but cannot foresee the effects on the natural coastal morphology. "That remains to be researched", he said.

Source: Waterforum

11-11-2007
North Sea countries withstand highest water levels since 1953
The storm surge in combination with high tide of late last thursday led - in some areas - to the highest water levels since 1953. A powerful storm prompted hundreds to evacuate in Britain, but left countries along the North Sea coast largely unscathed.

Early Friday, waves up to 6 metres high rolled up against sea defences in Lowestoft, the most easterly point in Norfolk, Britain, about 200km northeast of London on the North Sea coast. But the peak of the predicted surge passed without causing any major damage. Britain closed the Thames River barrier, downstream from London, as a precaution.

In France, wind gusts of up to 105 km/h whipped northern towns during overnight storms, blowing off rooftops and uprooting trees, according to regional emergency services.

The storm did not hit Germany as hard as expected Thursday night. But the port of Hamburg was closed, and its main fish market and riverfront thoroughfare were under water. Also the island of Helgoland in the German bight of the North Sea was struck by the storm and caused a damage of several million euros.

In Denmark, sand bags were used as a precautionary measure on the isle of Fyn.

In the Netherlands, along the whole of the coast a dike watch was installed for the first time in 30 years. Rotterdam Port halted all ship traffic until Friday evening. The Eastern-Scheldt barrier was closed and the Maeslant Barrier protecting Europe’s largest port was closed for the first time under storm conditions since its construction in 1997. Parts of harbour areas such as Harlingen (see image below) and on the Dutch Wadden islands were flooded locally. Some dune restoration works are foreseen on the Wadden islands of Vlieland and Ameland

Also Flanders some minor damages along its 70km shoreline were reported, and the Antwerp harbour was forced to close a flood defence wall to prevent overflow of sea water.




Waves pounding the sea wall at Walcott, UK, November 9 2007. Photo: John Giles / AP


Flooded harbour shed in Harlingen, NL, November 9 2007. Photo: WFA


high water levels in Germany, November 9 2007. Photo: AFP




02-11-2007
NL: "artificial reef lowers coastal storm impact"
Rijkswaterstaat and consultant Royal Haskoning have concluded that an artificial reef, one-and-a-half kilometre offshore at Scheveningen will prevent acute coastal erosion by 15-20m during a super storm. The reef is constructed with a sandy core and is covered with concrete blocks. Aim is to prevent especially longer waves to reach the shoreline. Especially these waves with a longer wave period are a specific threat for the coast. These results come from a feasibility study that was done by both Rijkswaterstaat and Royal Haskoning.



The idea was launched 2 years ago. In the study 2 alternatives have been examined more intensively: a long stretched reef parallel to the coast and a reef consisting of three oblique strips parallel to eachother (see image above). Models have suggested that both alternatives will result in a significant reduction of hydraulic load in the surf of a super storm (see image below).

The oblique alternative with 3 strips with a 30 degree angle with the shore has been chosen for specific protection from a Northwestern storm, the most threatening storm direction for the Dutch shore. A combination of high tide and a large wave setup is proven to be many times more dangerous than a Southwestern storm. The advantage is that waves may pass during a storm from the Southwest, forming no obstacle for northward longshore sand transport.

The feasibility study has been finalised, but will be followed by a societal cost-benefit study of the measures. In 2008 the results are expected. Now that the physical concept has been proven, the reefs have to be compared with alternative measures, such as nourishments that have also been proven a succesful measure and formal policy since 1990. Also the oppertunities for underwater nature, leasure and shipping will be analysed.

Sources: Waterforum, Rijkswaterstaat, Royal Haskoning