Newton Prize 2019

A nature-based solution to the problem of climate change

02 November 2019 China Climate Environment Newton Fund Newton Prize Resilience Sustainable cities

Climate change is causing sea levels to rise across the world. Wetlands and reefs provide a natural buffer from the sea, shielding the coastline and low-lying coastal communities from the impact of waves and rising water. However, rapid urbanisation continues to reduce natural defences in some countries, increasing people’s exposure to the impacts of extreme weather events.

Scientists in the UK, China and the Netherlands have come up with a novel approach to ensure natural defences can once again protect low-lying urban deltas. Using remote sensing, state-of-the-art biophysical modelling and fieldwork to study the Pearl River Delta, the team examined the resilience of different ecosystems and how much space they need to be effective.

The team have developed new models to assess the potential for re-establishment of mangrove forest on tidal flats. Using the models and knowledge developed during the project, the team have estimated the space needed for mangrove ecosystems to sufficiently reduce storm impacts and ensure safety. The team is working with the Hailing Island National Mangrove Park, based in China, to establish new mangroves and construct oyster reefs which help to stabilise the seabed and support wetland restoration.

It is one of the first projects to actively integrate coastal ecosystems into coastal protection schemes in this area, offering an excellent opportunity to study the effectiveness and management of nature-based solutions. This will benefit coastal engineers in the UK and Netherlands, as well as China and the wider international research and coastal engineering community. In addition, the results can be applied to other countries in the region with similar coastlines, such as Indonesia and the Philippines.

This opportunity has facilitated collaboration between China, the Netherlands and the UK, and led to a very exciting and challenging project. Working with local stakeholders and students, and exchanging knowledge and expertise, increases capacity for future work to address climate challenges.

Dr Zhan Hu, Associate Professor, School of Marine Science, Sun Yat-sen University

View transcript

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Caption: UK-CHINA Research and Innovation Partnership Fund world class research and innovation partnership
Newton Prize (logo)
Newton Fund (logo)

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Caption: Applying nature-based coastal defence to the world’s largest urban area – from science to practice (ANCODE)
Dr Judith Wolf, Physical Oceanographer and Marine Modeler, National Oceanography Centre and Dr Zhan Hu, Associate Professor, School of Marine Science, Sun Yat-sen University

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Professor Zhan Hu walks towards the camera.
Professor Zhan Hu is conducting marine related experiment;
Professor Zhan Hu is observing glass container;

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Speaker (Dr Zhan Hu)
In the current world, flooding induced by sea level rise and typhoons is very challenging.
And our project aims to develop innovative and sustainable measures
To create safer and greater coasts.
In urban deltas, like Pearl River Delta,
We are facing greater risks of coast flooding.
And the lost in each year is enormous.
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Professor Zhan Hu is speaking in front of the camera in a marine specimen lab.
Caption: Dr Zhan Hu, Associate Professor, School of Marine Science, Sun Yat-sen University China
Flooded land and woods;
Ocean flooded trees at the coast with green hills in the back;
A bridge connects the island in the ocean with the woods at the coast;
Professor Zhan Hu is speaking in front of the camera in a marine specimen lab.
Some fishing boats are drifting on the sea with leaves dancing in the foreground;
Tree trunks are drowned in the sea;
Many wastes lie on the sandy shore;

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Speaker (Dr Zhan Hu)
By our project, we want to promote natural-based coastal defence
To use coastal wetlands like mangroves and seagrass
Into future integrated coastal protection schemes.
And right now, we are looking at how to better preserve and restore those valuable ecosystems
In order to use them in future coastal defense.
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Professor Zhan Hu is speaking in front of the camera in a marine specimen lab.
Boats drift in middle of the sea with leaves and wetland in the foreground;
Boats drift in middle of the sea with a sapling in the foreground;
Under the blue sky is the wetland with green hills in the back;
Professor Zhan Hu is speaking in front of the camera in a marine specimen lab.
An egret walks through the wetland in the distance.
A crab walks out of a hole in the wetland.

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Speaker (Dr Zhan Hu)
Our project is already making difference in wetlands restoration.
We can fence a national wetland park in Yangjiang to create oyster reefs
To protect mangrove seedlings and to facilitate to mangrove creation.
To our knowledge, it is the first time that such measures been taken in China.
And we hope in to see such measures will be applied in many more coastal areas.
If we have the prize,
We will have the chance to test more ideas for mangroves protection and management.
We want the future with beautiful and safe coasts,
With vibrant and healthy ecosystems.
Thanks to the Newton Fund and we can collaborate with our UK partners.
And truly think our partnership will help to build better coasts in the future.
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Crabs bustle around the wetland in a mangrove forest;
Crabs bustle around the wetland with saplings in the back;
Professor Zhan Hu is speaking in front of the camera in a marine specimen lab.
Two farmers are working in the wetland with houses and hills in the background;
A close view of 2 or 3 mangrove roots;
Seawater is rippling on the mangrove root;
A farmer is planting in the wetland with houses and hills in the background;
Many crabs are bustling in the wetland which reflects the sunset;
Professor Zhan Hu is speaking in front of the camera in a marine specimen lab.
Crabs are bustling around the wetland with fishing boats in the distance at sunset.
Professor Zhan Hu is speaking in front of the camera in a marine specimen lab.
Many crabs are bustling in the wetland which reflects the sunset with trees and house in the background;
Professor Zhan Hu is speaking in front of the camera in a marine specimen lab.
Thick leaves are dancing in the wind;
Researchers stand in the wetland in rain boots;
Researchers are collecting data in wetland;
Professor Zhan Hu is speaking in front of the camera in a marine specimen lab.
Green leaves flutter in the wind with hill in the back;
A large woods in the front with villages and hills in the distance.
Professor Zhan Hu is speaking in front of the camera in a marine specimen lab.

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Caption:
The Newton Fund is devoted to achieving the
UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

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Caption:
Global Goals for Sustainable Development Logos of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development

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Caption:
Executive Producer
Zhan Zhang
Directed，Filmed，Edited by Manman Yang
Second Cameraman
Wei Wang
Produced by Believing is Seeing Studio Guangzhou

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Special thanks
UK Research and Innovation China
British Council
British Consulate General Guangzhou
Sun Yat-sen University

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Caption:
Newton Fund Delivery Partners
UK
Academy of Medical Sciences
British Academy
British Council
Met Office
Royal Academy of Engineering
Royal Society
UK Research and Innovation

Newton Fund Delivery Partners
CHINA
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Chinese Academy of Engineering
Chinese Meteorological Administration
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Science and Technology
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

Applying nature-based coastal defence to the world’s largest urban area – from science to practice (ANCODE).

Project leads: Dr Judith Wolf, National Oceanography Centre, UK and Dr Zhan Hu, School of Marine Science, Sun Yat-sen University

Delivery partners: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation and National Natural Science Foundation of China