Conference on the Protection of Waves
Save The Waves Coalition will be part of the First International Conference on the Protection of Waves to be held next week in the Canary Islands.
Save The Waves Coalition’s environmental director Josh Berry will be presenting to an international audience of students, faculty, professionals and coastal experts at the University of La Laguna in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
The ocean and waves hold a great significance for the cultures and communities which surround them. Waves are an important part of the natural resources of the ocean, but are often ignored in the process of coastal and environmental planning. They are constantly under threat from development and climate change. This conference will consider the wider implications of waves as a natural resource and their relevance to our ocean communities.
Waves are probably the stongest and most powerful renewable energy source on the planet. I have studied and observed some huge waves in the coastal areas of Tenerife, especially where the seabed changes dramatically and where wave rebound occurs. A visit to the harbour on a rough day in Alcala will demonstrate the effect of wave rebound and how much it can increase wave energy. Sorry to go on about this but as an Engineer I find it fascinating.
I do hope practical ways can be found to harness wave energy. One thing which I do find strange is the inference that waves will be affected by climate change. I think that is unlikely in all climates and in some areas where winds and the frequency of storms will increase, wave energy is likely to also increase.
1