Sandwatch: Science in Action
As small islands and countries around the world struggle with the consequences of global warming, it has been observed that beaches and coasts are among the ecosystems already experiencing the impacts of climate change. Sandwatch provides a framework whereby students, teachers and communities can learn firsthand about the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on their beaches and coasts – impacts such as rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, and more intense hurricanes/cyclones/typhoons – and how they can work together to devise and implement approaches and projects to cope with these changes.  With a strong field monitoring component, Sandwatch tries to make science 'live' yet remains inter-disciplinary.  Through the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development  (2005-2014), Sandwatch provides a practical ‘hands-on’ approach to integrating the values inherent in sustainable development into all aspects of learning, thereby empowering citizens to act for positive environmental and social change. Sandwatch also contributes to the further implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. There are currently 37 countries participating in this activity. 

UNESCO Sector:  Division of Science Policy and Sustainable Development
Responsible Staff:  Douglas Nakashima, Fathimath Ghina, Khalissa Ikhlef
More information: http://www.sandwatch.org