Marine Research in Colombia
CEMarin is a beacon of marine research. At the German-Colombian institute in Santa Marta scientists are studying the species-rich waters off the coast of Colombia and investigating their sustainable use. In addition to marine research, there is a postgraduate programme which prepares doctoral students for leadership roles in marine research. The institute, which opened in 2010, is one of four new DAAD centres of excellence around the world supported by the Federal Foreign Office within the framework of the Foreign Science Initiative.
Reconstructing the Climate History of the Red Sea
Promoting marine research and understanding between peoples: in 2010, researchers from IFM-GEOMAR, the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences in Kiel, initiated a unique project involving Germany, Israel and Palestine. In the Red Sea, a species-rich but fragile ecosystem, the three partners are developing a new method to investigate corals and determine levels of environmental pollution in those waters. The project, which involves researchers, doctoral students and undergraduates, also aims to make a contribution to the peace process in the region.
Greater Protection against Tsunami Disasters in the Indian Ocean
Lifesaving technology: Germany and Indonesia have developed a tsunami early warning system (GITEWS) in a joint project that began in 2005. GITEWS is part of a regional early warning system in the Indian Ocean providing the region’s population with timely alerts about devastating tsunami waves following underwater earthquakes, such as that of December 2004. The modern system, which is made up of buoys and sensors and integrates findings from earthquake research, was decisively influenced by work at the Geo Research Center (GFZ) Potsdam.
Mangroves for Coastal Protection in the Philippines
The Philippines has 7,100 islands and 36,000 kilometres of coastline, where climate change is becoming noticeable through floods, landslides and receding shorelines. Consequently, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is supporting coastal protection. On the island of Negros the inhabitants are mobilizing against shoreline loss and rising sea levels by planting new mangrove forests. With help from Germany up to 400,000 new trees are being planted each year to create a natural protective wall against flooding.
Sustainable Fishing in the Coral Triangle
It is one of the most unusual ecosystems: the Coral Triangle between Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands and East Timor is the habitat of 3,000 different fish and 500 coral species. The Coral Triangle Initiative, which was established by the neighbouring states and supported by Germany from 2008 to 2010 within the framework of its International Climate Initiative, is dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable fishing in the region. The main aim is to create two extensive protected areas.
Climate Protection for the Pacific Islands
The three island states of Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu are pilot countries in a climate protection project in the Pacific Region. Working on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the GIZ is supporting the governments in Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu as well as the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). The aim is to work out political climate protection strategies. Special areas of the programme include agriculture, forestry and land use planning.
Coral Protection in the West Pacific
More than 2,000 tropical islands and atolls: archipelagos, such as the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau are particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change. The sea level is rising, coasts are disintegrating and salt is entering the groundwater. The groups of islands and regional climate protection initiatives, such as Micronesia Challenge, are working to combat these trends. With German help their aim is to protect 30% of the coral reefs and 20% of the coasts against rising sea levels and accompanying erosion by 2020.
