Climate change focus for Europe Day – 9 May

Drill-coring artificial rock pools at Tywyn. Led by Aberystwyth University, Ecostructure will boost biodiversity on coastal structures in Wales and Ireland by enhancing the ecological value of coastal defence and renewable energy structures in Wales and Ireland.

Drill-coring artificial rock pools at Tywyn. Led by Aberystwyth University, Ecostructure will boost biodiversity on coastal structures in Wales and Ireland by enhancing the ecological value of coastal defence and renewable energy structures in Wales and Ireland.

03 May 2017

The likely effects of climate change on the coastal communities of west Wales and eastern Ireland will be the focus for a one day exhibition hosted by Aberystwyth University.

Held at the Old College to mark Europe Day on Tuesday 9 May 2017, the event offers an important opportunity to learn more about four major research projects that have recently attracted €18m of funding from the EU’s Ireland-Wales Programme.

Key Aberystwyth University based researchers from each of the four projects - Acclimatize, CHERISH, Ecostructure and Bluefish - will present their work and be on hand to answer questions from members of the public.

Professor Chris Thomas, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research at Aberystwyth University said: “Aberystwyth University is very aware of the importance of studying the likely impacts of climate change on the Irish Sea and its communities and we are delighted to be supporting this valuable area of work. With the support of EU funding these four projects will utilise the world-class scientific expertise and specialist facilities here at Aberystwyth to make a real contribution to our understanding of the likely impacts of climate change on this part of the UK.”

Acclimatize focuses on the impact of climate change on bathing waters to protect human health and the marine environment.

Researchers from Aberystwyth University will be working with colleagues from University College Dublin on the €6.7m project which has attracted €5.3m of EU funding.

CHERISH focuses on the risks of climate change to the heritage of some of Wales and Ireland’s most important coastal landscapes.

Led by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, the €5.2m project has attracted €4.1m of EU funding.

Ecostructure will boost biodiversity on coastal structures in Wales and Ireland by enhancing the ecological value of coastal defence and renewable energy structures.

This €4m project is led by Aberystwyth University researchers, in collaboration with University College Dublin, Bangor University, University College Cork and Swansea University, and has attracted ‎€3.25m of EU funding.

Bluefish will help protect marine life whilst developing the fisheries and aquaculture industries in Wales and Ireland, and helping to strengthen economic links and cross-border collaboration.

This €6.6m project which involves researchers from Aberystwyth, Bangor, Swansea working with partner Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the University College Cork, has attracted €5.3m of EU funding.

Funding for all four projects has been provided by the EU Ireland Wales Programme 2014-2020 http://irelandwales.eu/

The Aberystwyth University Europe Day event takes place on Tuesday 9 May in Old College at Aberystwyth and will be open from 9am until 6pm. Everyone welcome. Free tea and coffee will be provided.