EcoSummit History
Previous events in the series:
EcoSummit 2023
Gold Coast, Australia, Australia, June 13-17, 2023
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Building a sustainable and desirable future: Adapting to a changing land and sea-scape
EcoSummit 2023 focused on coastal and marine ecosystems including adjacent terrestrial ecosystems and all habitats that are integrated within those ecosystems, including river networks, wetlands and catchments. All aspects of environmental modelling, engineering, science, and policy were covered under the focus of climate adaptation and the need for developing socio-economic and environmental resilience and sustainable prosperity around the world. Further focus was placed on fragile systems that are more likely to suffer the consequences of climate change and anthropogenic pressure such as islands, coastal communities and arid landscapes.
EcoSummit 2016
Montpellier, France, August 29 to September 1, 2016
Ecological Sustainability: Engineering Change
EcoSummit 2016 centred on the ecology of terrestrial ecosystems and all habitats that are integrated within those ecosystems, including river networks, wetlands and coastlines. Focus was placed on fragile ecosystems that are more likely to suffer the consequences of climate change and anthropogenic pressure. However, in the current context of an increasing world population, changes in social habit (increasing world consumerism) and climate change, it is evident that agriculture is being intensified but with a growing awareness of the need to preserve and use sustainably world resources. Therefore, we also addressed how terrestrial restoration can be carried out when the massive demand for food results in fragile ecosystems, forests and marginal lands being turned over to agriculture.
EcoSummit 2012
Columbus, Ohio, USA, September 30 to October 5, 2012
Ecological Sustainability: Restoring the Planet’s Ecosystem Services
Ecosystems such as streams, rivers, inland and coastal wetlands, grasslands, and forests provide numerous services that fundamentally support human health and well-being. This international conference explored innovative science-based strategies that are socially and culturally acceptable to create, manage, and restore these ecosystems, ensuring that society has access to all these ecosystem services. Our aim was to provide a high-profile platform for dialogue among researchers, planners and decision-makers to develop a better understanding of the complex nature of ecological systems and the means to protect and enhance their services.
EcoSummit 2007
Beijing, China, May 22 to 27, 2007
Ecological Complexity and Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities for 21st Century’s Ecology
Ecological complexity and sustainability are becoming a core concept and instrument for improving our common future. The aim of this Eco Summit was to encourage a greater integration of both the natural and social sciences with the policy and decision-making community to develop a better understanding of the complex nature of ecological systems. This understanding provides the basis for sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
EcoSummit 2000
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, June 18 to 22, 2000
Understanding and Solving Environmental Problems in the 21st Century
Six discussion groups focused on the following topics: Toward a new, integrated hard problem science; Integrated assessment and modeling; Complex adaptive hierarchical systems; Ecosystem services; Science and decision making; Quality of life and the distribution of wealth and resources.
EcoSummit 1996
Copenhagen Denmark, August 16 to 20, 1996
During the eighties and the beginning of the nineties, several new ecological disciplines grew rapidly: ecological modelling, ecological economics, ecological engineering and biological conservation. International societies and peer reviewed international journals were founded. It was, however, important for these ecological disciplines, which were all indispensable tool boxes for a holistic use of ecology in environmental management, to fertilize each other. So, the focus of the first EcoSummit was to integrate the various ecological disciplines to the benefit of environmental management; this has continued to be a supporting idea behind the EcoSummit conferences to this day. Copenhagen was the cultural capital of Copenhagen in 1996, leading to many cultural opportunities during the meeting.