Sharing stories with MaCoBioS at Blue NBS week

Blue NBS Week was held at UNESCO in Paris. A UN Ocean Decade event, Blue NBS week marked the formal conclusion of MaCoBioS. Our researchers displayed the project through presentations, plenary discussions, interactive workshops, photography and poster exhibitions, videos, and a comic book. Formally attended by over 110 people, with many more experiencing the public external photography exhibition, the event showcased new and innovative ways blue NBS are being researched and practiced, and allowed for open and meaningful conversations amongst participants. Today, far more people around the world have become aware of the importance of healthy marine and coastal ecosystems and blue NBS for their own wellbeing. Events such as Blue NBS Week help share lessons and work towards transformative solutions. We thank everyone who joined us and contributed to the success of the event.

Here you can view the various outputs prepared for Blue NBS Week:

• Marine Coastal Treasures exhibition. A narrated photography exhibition showcasing the diversity of marine and coastal ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide in the Caribbean, Western Mediterranean, and Northern Europe. This exhibition is displayed outside UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 28 October to 27 December 2024.
• MaCoBioS project overview through 15 output focussed posters which were displayed as an internal exhibition within UNESCO.
• A series of videos produced by MaCoBioS illuminating the ecosystems we have worked within and the work we have done.
• Waves of Hope. A comic book produced by members of MaCoBioS following the adventures of the characters Acropora, Cladocora, Diploria, Laminaria, Spartina, Seagrassa, Rhizohora, and Rhodolitha as they travel through the Caribbean, Western Mediterranean, and Northern Europe finding out about the challenges marine and coastal ecosystems and people are facing and shared solutions.
• A series of policy briefs informing the integration of blue NBS into policies and practices:
  • Innovating with nature and people: insights and recommendations for integrated design of blue Nature-based Solutions.
  • Enhancing uptake of blue Nature-based Solutions in European marine and coastal-related policies.
  • Blue Nature-based Solutions to tackle climate change & biodiversity loss and improve human health & wellbeing.
  • Research orientations for blue Nature-based Solutions.