Back To The Future Summer 2006

Back to the future How might the Marine Bill affect the coastal and marine future in England and Wales? Alex Midlen takes a trip to 2020 and reviews the Bill’s success through two imaginary alternate visions.

15 years in the future

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T

he use of scenario development to offer insight into the future impacts of current trends or decisions is well established, and has been embraced by government in its foresight initiatives. In 2003 CoastNet identified two key axes of uncertainty in coastal futures: ● Nature of governance – from strong but top-down through to enabling and market-led development with little government intervention.

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Public attitudes to the coast – from a strong interest in its sustainable future and engagement in governance to a high level of complacency and lack of engagement.

These uncertainties provide a valid framework in which to explore the Marine Bill and the possible futures that will result depending on its final form. Take a trip to 2020 and two possible articles from The edge summer edition….

15 years in the future

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