Sustainable Coastal Futures

Engaging citizens in co-creating future scenarios for sustainable ocean use

FOCUS

Our Workshop in Wilhelmshaven

The Sustainable Coastal Futures workshop in Wilhelmshaven aims to engage citizens in co-creating future scenarios for sustainable ocean use. In collaboration with EUCC-The Coastal Union Germany and the Institute for Art and Innovation (IFAI) Berlin, this project provides insights into the impacts of green energy production and transportation on coastal regions.

The primary objective is to enhance ocean literacy by educating citizens on sustainable ocean practices. Additionally, the project aims to promote social inclusion by increasing acceptance of green coastal energy through participatory processes. With the workshop we seek to co-create future scenarios using art and design methods to develop innovative solutions for sustainable coastal futures.

The first workshop in 2024 takes place at UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea Visitor Centre in Wilhelmshaven. It features expert insights on offshore green hydrogen production and co-creation sessions that employ methods like Future-Prototyping and World-Building. Participants include citizens, artists, scientists, and innovators, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for collaborative innovation.

Speakers:
Nardine Stybel (EUCC – The Coastal Union Germany) – She opens the workshop thematically, presenting the concept of the dialogue series within the H₂Mare-Project-TransferWind, and highlights the innovative character of the workshop, which was selected as a pilot action under the PREP4BLUE EU project in contribution to the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters.”
Thomas Schwabe (Siemens Gamesa) – He explains the potential of offshore hydrogen production for coastal regions and presents activities and results from the H2Mare hydrogen flagship project.
Katrin Lampe (Energy Hub Wilhelmshaven) – She presents current planning for green energy in the Wilhelmshaven region and emphasizes the importance of involving local communities.
Dr. Laura Schmidt (Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS) / Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon) – She provides insights into research on societal acceptance of green energy technologies and addresses upcoming challenges.
Nicole Loeser (Institute for Art and Innovation) – She introduces interdisciplinary collaboration for sustainable transformation and facilitates the workshop based on the Art for Futures Lab methodology.

How to achieve sustainable coasts?

The project aims to increase the acceptance of green coastal energy by addressing and communicating acceptance issues to industry representatives and coastal communities. By supporting Mission Ocean’s objectives, the workshop will contribute to preventing pollution and promoting a sustainable blue economy. Additionally, it will foster collaboration by ensuring diverse perspectives and democratic participation in the co-creation process. We will promote the workshop through social media and newsletters to build anticipation, maintain engagement, and ensure broad participation. Outreach activities will target coastal communities and young citizens. This approach will also help present created artifacts, such as moodboards and collages, in a touring exhibition, ensuring diverse participation and broad dissemination of results.

OUR GOALS

COLLABORATION

Inspire and foster awareness across all audiences to bolster citizen engagement to prevent and eliminate pollution of our ocean, seas and waters, in line with the EU Action Plan Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil. We aim to create a new way of working together (everyone is invited; this is a collaboration, not a competition) to escape stagnant situations and relationships.

ACTION

In order to protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, we encourage signing the Mission Charter (for legal entities only) to commit businesses and organizations to change. We would like to make the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular, in line with the proposed European Climate Law and the holistic vision enshrined in the Sustainable Blue Economy
Strategy.

AWARENESS

One of our main goals is to create awareness and/or activism around an issue (plastic pollution, deep sea mining, sustainable fishing, daily personal choices, etc.) to drive personal accountability, investment, and dedication to the cause. We aim to encourage attendance at Mission events (citizen assemblies, workshops, trainings, etc.) for increased public participation/citizen awareness and engagement.