Climate, Security, and the Blue Economy

Coastal communities face numerous adaptive challenges, including (1) rising sea levels causing coastal erosion and flooding, (2) increasing storm intensity and frequency, (3) declining water quality due to pollution and over-extraction, (4) resource depletion and competition, and (5) the exacerbation of existing social and economic inequities and conflicts in vulnerable coastal communities. 

The Wrasse Policy Fellows for Climate, Security, and the Blue Economy program is designed to equip individuals with the leadership and policy analysis skills to advance science-based policies for nationally and regionally significant marine-related issues to target communities with sustained mobilization of resources and stakeholders. This fellowship is named after the Humphead Wrasse, a large, colorful tropical marine fish on the endangered species list. Wrasse Fellows may endeavor to co-design transnational policies with counterparts in Southeast Asia and the Vaquita Fellowship program in North America. 

Program Goals:

• Foster a cohort of adaptive leaders capable of addressing complex challenges related to climate, security, and the blue economy.

• Equip Fellows with the Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) methodology for effective problem-solving and policy design.

• Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among Fellows and local stakeholders.

• Advance the climate, security, and blue economy agenda through concrete actions and initiatives.

Program Structure:

• Duration: 12-24 months

• Cohort Size: 10-15 Fellows per coastal city or bio-region

• Institutional Hosts (optional): City government offices and up to five local schools, colleges, or universities 

• Team Structure: Fellows will work in teams of 3 in quarterly cycles

Program Components:

1. Adaptive Leadership Training: Fellows will receive comprehensive training in adaptive leadership principles, including:

   • Understanding complex systems and adaptive challenges

   • Building relationships and trust with diverse stakeholders

   • Applying PDIA to drive iterative problem-solving

   • Embracing experimentation and learning from failure

2. Urban Oceans Community: Fellows will gain a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing urban coastal regions, including:

   • Climate change impacts and adaptation strategies

   • Sustainable fisheries management and marine conservation

   • Equity, conflict, and inclusive blue economy development

   • Coastal resilience and disaster preparedness

3. Team-Based Projects: Fellows will work in teams to identify and address specific challenges related to the Urban Oceans agenda in their respective cities. The PDIA methodology will guide projects and will involve:

   • Problem definition and framing

   • Experimentation and iteration

   • Learning and adaptation

   • Scaling and impact assessment

4. University-hosted Blue Economy Labs: The program will provide Fellows five university licenses of the Blue Economy Lab. Fellows may assign these Blue Economy Lab licenses to interested local universities, enabling them to:

   • Run Blue Economy Lab research programs, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programs (UROP), Fellowships, courses, incubators,  and other initiatives within their campuses

   • Use the Blue Economy Lab brand and platform to co-create solutions with local stakeholders

   • Host events as part of the global Blue Economy Lab global community

   • Involvement in the Community-based Global Learning Collaborative (www.cbglcollab.org)

Benefits of Participation:

• Develop essential leadership skills for addressing complex challenges

• Gain expertise in blue economy issues and sustainable development

• Contribute to positive change in coastal communities

• Network with like-minded professionals and build a strong community of practice

20 Policy Research Questions at the Intersection of Leadership, Climate, Conflict, and Maritime Territorial Issues

Understanding the Adaptive Leadership Landscape:

1. How can adaptive leadership principles be applied to address complex climate-related challenges in maritime territories?

2. What are the key characteristics of adaptive leaders in the context of climate-induced maritime conflicts?

3. How can adaptive leadership foster collaboration and trust among diverse stakeholders in maritime territorial disputes exacerbated by climate change?

Climate Change Impacts and Maritime Territorial Disputes:

4. How does climate change exacerbate existing tensions and conflicts over maritime territories?

5. What are the specific security implications of climate-induced changes in maritime environments, such as rising sea levels and changes in resource availability?

6. How can adaptive leadership help mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on coastal communities and maritime livelihoods?

Adaptive Change and Conflict Resolution:

7. What are the most effective adaptive change strategies for addressing climate-related challenges in maritime territories?

8. How can adaptive leadership facilitate the development of climate-resilient infrastructure and governance systems in coastal areas?

9. What are the potential roles of adaptive leadership in mediating and resolving conflicts arising from climate-induced changes in maritime resources?

Governance and Institutions:

10. How can existing governance structures and institutions be adapted to address the challenges posed by climate change and maritime territorial disputes?

11. What are the key roles of international organizations and regional bodies in promoting adaptive leadership and conflict resolution in maritime contexts?

12. How can adaptive leadership foster the development of inclusive and participatory decision-making processes in maritime governance?

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:

13. What are the most effective strategies for engaging diverse stakeholders, including local communities, governments, and the private sector, in addressing climate-related challenges and maritime territorial disputes?

14. How can adaptive leadership promote effective communication and knowledge sharing among stakeholders to facilitate collective action?

15. What are the barriers to effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders in maritime contexts, and how can these barriers be overcome?

Technology and Innovation:

16. How can technology and innovation be leveraged to support adaptive leadership and climate resilience in maritime territories?

17. What are the potential applications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and remote sensing, for monitoring climate change impacts and managing maritime resources?

18. How can adaptive leadership foster the development and adoption of innovative solutions to address climate-related challenges in maritime contexts?

International Cooperation:

19. What are the key challenges and opportunities for international cooperation in addressing climate change and maritime territorial disputes?

20. How can adaptive leadership promote a more collaborative and cooperative approach to addressing these issues at the regional and global levels?