I’m at the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific entering the second full day of an oceans workshop. Here’s a glance at my panel from yesterday:
Scientists and Communicators Working Together: A Panel Discussion to Identify Keys to Success. (Jerry Schubel, moderator)
VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr U.S. Navy Retired, former NOAA Administrator
RADM Richard West, U.S. Navy Retired, former oceanographer/navigator of the Navy, past president, Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE)
Sheril Kirshenbaum, associate at Duke University and co-author with Chris Mooney; Unscientific America: How Scienctific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future
Edward Maibach, professor, Department of Communications, director of Center for Climate Change Communications, George Mason University
(more…)
Up to 90 percent of the coral surrounding Okinawa’s islands has died off in the last decade, so scientists are initiating one of the largest coral restoration projects in the world. Why the need for rescue? Overfishing, disease, pollution, acidification, global warming, and more have decimated reefs (and biodiversity) worldwide. They need rehab in the worst way–we’re talking more than Amy Winehouse. Hence, the Sekisei Lagoon Reef is now being used to test new techniques for transplanting coral.
Sure it sounds promising, but will it work? Critics say the project is wasted effort given coastal redevelopment, agricultural runoff, and other activities that destroyed coral in the first place are still going strong… not to mention oceans continue getting warmer as the result of our pesky carbon problem. Still, let’s not throw in the towel on this possibility yet. It’s already been in progress for four years and although survival is low, investigators remind naysayers that reef recovery happens slowly over decades. Furthermore, transplantation techniques are improving with some success.
So for now the jury’s out on whether Japan’s coral restoration initiative will succeed, but I’m encouraged that enough of us care about shifting baselines to take action. Read more at the NYTimes…
1) Update from Congo: The virus affecting bonobos is making headlines around the world. As reported last week, they have been suffering from a mysterious flu and I’m glad word is getting out. The worst seems to be over, but please consider making a donation to Lola ya bonobo sanctuary where orphans desperately need food and medical care.
2) Deep Sea News is now hosting the 23rd edition of Carnival of the Blue. Meanwhile, over at Living the Scientific Life (Scientist Interrupted), you’ll find the inaugural post for Scientia Pro Publica (Science for the People). Each carnival has a terrific mix of featured posts from bloggers across the internet and The Intersection has contributed to both… Go take a look!
3) Next week kicks off the first annual Environmental Film Festival at Yale. The event showcases cutting-edge documentaries and short films to raise awareness of current environmental issues. The line-up looks very interesting and is free and open to the public. Those in New Haven should check it out…
It is written…
Today, March 30, 2009 close to 3:30 pm, President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 into law!
The package includes many important initiatives that oceans folks like me have been working to realize for a very long time including ocean exploration, NOAA undersea research, ocean and coastal mapping integration, the integrated coastal and ocean observation system, federal ocean acidification research and monitoring, coastal and estuarine land conservation, and more!
Congratulations everyone! This is a historic day. The news is encouraging and now we must stay vigilant as there is plenty more to be done.
Finally, on a personal note… After so many years of hard work, this goes out to Sea Grant Fellows past and present, the good folks inhabiting NOAA’s Silver Spring offices, and all the incredible staffers I know working tirelessly on these issues behind the scenes in our nation’s capitol.
In January I shared the Senate victory when S. 22, The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008 passed 73-21. The package includes ocean exploration, NOAA undersea research, ocean and coastal mapping integration, the integrated coastal and ocean observation system*, federal ocean acidification research and monitoring, coastal and estuarine land conservation, and lots more.
Today I’m delighted to add that the House version–H.R. 146–just passed as well meaning it’s all on the cusp of becoming law! Folks, this is as much a bill about the environment as it is about people and our collective future. So you bet I’m excited and encouraged over today’s win… Next stop President Obama!
* hat tip to Senator Snowe for all her terrific work!
“Today Congress confirmed its commitment to realizing the vast potential of ocean science and research,” said Senator Snowe, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmospheres, Fisheries, and Coast Guard. “Oceans make up nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface and impact the economy, environment, and culture of the entire global community yet the physical properties and natural systems of the ocean world remain largely a mystery. This legislation will help our country unlock these mysteries by developing a national integrated system of ocean observing efforts that will provide a range of invaluable public services — such as improving our ability to gauge the impact of major disasters and predict ocean and climate trends. I am proud to support these critical programs that will stimulate economic growth and science-based environmental conservation in coastal regions and throughout the nation.”
