GRACIASS = Global Research and Arts Center for the Investigation and Advancement of Sustainability Solutions
This proposed center for sustainability studies will bring together people from all over the world to explore solutions for maintaining the viability of coastal ecosystems, and develop sustainable residential and tourism strategies for the future.
Headquarters: Cancun, Mexico
Why Cancun?
Cancun = unique, natural, connected location
Uniquely situated at top of Mesoamerican Reef, largest reef in western hemisphere
Unique nursery and breeding grounds for fish and other animals
Unique natural land and water features
Uniquely planned coastal tourism development
Uniquely internationally accessible
Uniquely internationally recognized
Cancun has unlimited value in the natural HOWEVER, Cancun has limited value in the man-made:
Cancun cannot compete with other locations in standard tourism amenities
because they will continually require more investment to change the natural to artificial
Cancun will never have the best ____ (high rise, golf course, amusement park, etc)
because the unique natural conditions limit Cancun’s ability to support these amenities
e.g. small and shifting land/dunes, fragile coral reefs, wetlands
What to do?
Promote Cancun as a natural wonder and model of sustainability for the world
Refocus from change to reliability, Add nostalgia to adventure
Quality not quantity
Advertise natural features
How?
Scientific Research combined with Arts, with ongoing Outreach
Research on the dynamics of coastal (reef) ecosystems including humans and tourism
Support collaborations and strengthening of current monitoring/research efforts
Develop passive acoustic monitoring for species and ecosystems
Citizen Science – community participation and awareness and increase data collection
Arts as cultural participation and exploration of successful coexistence humans/nature
Venue for expression, discussion, interaction
Interdisciplinary research in arts and sciences
Inspiration, motivation, participation, discovery, celebration
GRACIASS fills gaps in information and outreach needed for successful planning and tourism publicity
GRACIASS provides support, space, positive reinforcement for research and arts for sustainability
GRACIASS establishes Cancun as THE place for sustainable tourism
GRACIASS attracts researchers, artists, other conscientious people to visit Cancun
GRACIASS collaborates and emphasizes actions made by region’s non-profits, businesses, universities
GRACIASS incorporates new findings into ongoing outreach efforts, including to management, schools
GRACIASS leads world meetings and dialogue
