Event Calendar
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Wed, 01/18/2012 |
NCSE: Hanging in the pH Balance? Ocean Acidification Impacts on Food Security Erica Goldman, Asst. Director for Science Policy Outreach, COMPASS Speakers: Summary: Marine protein contributes substantially to global food security. Fish and shellfish contribute 15 percent of animal protein for three billion people worldwide, according to a recent FAO analysis. Ocean acidification, caused by increasing levels of dissolved CO2 in seawater, poses an increasing threat to the continued availability of marine protein as a food source. Caused both by atmospheric and land-based drivers, acidification presents an emerging challenge to coastal communities and economies worldwide. Acidification affects the growth and survival of many marine organisms, especially in larval stages. It also interferes with the ability of shell building marine species (including plankton) to develop and sustain calcified skeletons, with clear implications for shellfish and coral reef-dependent resources. Research on how acidification will affect food webs and ecosystems is still in its early stages. But several new studies suggest potentially striking implications for food security. For example, one recent study assessed nations’ vulnerability to decreases in shellfish harvest due to ocean acidification by comparing This session at the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) meeting on Jan. 18, 2012 in Washington, D.C. presented leading science on how ocean acidification is likely to affect food security. Scientists discussed new research on the consequences for both shellfish and finfish resources, along with analyses that can help communities and economies prepare for acidifying conditions. |
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Thu, 12/15/2011 |
Journal of Higher Education, Outreach & Engagement calls Escape from the Ivory Tower a "must have" Michael M Haigh of the Journal of Higher Education, Outreach, & Engagement reviews "Escape from the Ivory Tower": http://openjournals.libs.uga.edu/index.php/jheoe/article/view/631/485. |
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Wed, 11/16/2011 |
BRIEFING: Restoring Ecological and Economic Vitality to the Gulf of Mexico The health of the Gulf Coast economy -- indeed, every sector of the global economy -- is inextricably tied to the benefits that the natural world provides to society. On November 10, 2011, the National Research Council released its interim report on the methods and metrics that can be used to evaluate the effects of the Gulf oil spill on ecosystem services such as food, tourism, water, energy, and infrastructure protection. This report examined not only the direct effects of the oil spill on ecosystem services in the region, but also the impacts of other human activities that have changed the balance of ecosystem services over time. Through coffee-house style panel discussions held the week following the release of the NRC report, COMPASS, the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, and the National Academies' National Research Council hosted events to explore perspectives from science, economics, business, and industry on restoring the flow of ecosystem services that support the economic vitality of the Gulf of Mexico. These events built upon two events held in early October, which examined the role of science in the Gulf of Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Preliminary Strategy. Moderator: Dr. David Malakoff, Policy Reporter, Science magazine Panelists:
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Wed, 11/02/2011 |
Communications Workshop for Alaskan National Park Service Scientists in Anchorage Nancy Baron leads communications workshop for 70 Alaskan national park scientists in Anchorage, Alaska. |
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Tue, 10/11/2011 |
Exploring Roles for Science in the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Strategy
(See link below for speaker bios) To join us for this lunchtime dialogue, please RSVP to: rsvp@compassonline.org
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Strategy can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/gcertf/. The preliminary strategy is open for public comment until October 26.
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Tue, 10/04/2011 |
Taking the Long View on Ecosystem Recovery in the Gulf of Mexico and Beyond (Also note our follow-on restoration event on Oct 11: http://www.compassonline.org/RestorationPanel) Taking the Long View on Ecosystem Recovery in the Gulf of Mexico and Beyond Healthy and productive coastal ecosystems are critical engines of economic vitality. Over the course of two events surrounding the October 5th release of the preliminary strategy from the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, COMPASS (Communication Partnership for Science and the Sea) and the Consortium for Ocean Leadership convened leading experts on ecosystem restoration to explore the roles science can play in connecting ecological and economic well being through restoration planning and implementation. This first event, a luncheon science briefing held on October 5, explored the science of restoration. The large-scale ecosystem restoration efforts underway in the Gulf of Mexico can learn from past and present initiatives around the nation. Understanding not just the current state of an ecosystem, but the mechanisms that can set it on a trajectory to recovery is critical to ensuring the long-term success of the enormous federal, state and local investments to restore coastal ecosystems. Moderator: Mr. David Malakoff, Policy Reporter, Science magazine Introduction: Dr. Larry McKinney, Harte Research Institute Speakers:
(See links below for bios of the speakers and copies of the speakers' presentations) |
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Thu, 09/22/2011 |
Communications Training at University of Minnesota Nancy Baron and Liz Neeley led a two-day communications training for faculty and researchers from the Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota. This event was organized by Aldo Leopold fellow Jon Foley, and we were joined by Erik Stokstad of Science, Dennis Dimick of National Geographic, and Jon Hamilton of NPR, and Maggie Koerth-Baker of BoingBoing. You can see some of the chat and progress from the social media day on twitter, using the #COMPASSmtg hashtag. |
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Thu, 09/08/2011 |
Policy Week for Aldo Leopold Leadership Program Since 2000, Nancy Baron and the COMPASS team have been the lead trainers for the prestigious Aldo Leopold Leadership Program. This is our flagship training of each year. This year we helped design the policy week, with a focus on understanding the networks that define the policy landscape for each of the Fellows' issues. We tapped a series of seasoned players in the world of natural resource and science policy to help the Fellows navigate this landscape. Through discussions, exercises and simulated Congressional hearings, the Fellows built their skills and understanding in order to connect their research to a policymakers. The policy networking program culminated in one-on-one meetings with decision makers and key staff. |
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Tue, 08/23/2011 |
Workshop: Marine conservation success through synthesis and story Success means very different things to different people. How are management goals defined in different cultural, political, and ecological contexts? What does success look like in particular coastal and marine ecosystems, and to the diverse human communitieis that are part of these places? To explore these issues, COMPASS hosted a retreat for 10 scholars and practitioners from academia, government, and non-governmental organizations at the Helen R. Whiteley Center at Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington. Led by Karen McLeod (COMPASS Director of Science) and Heather Leslie (Brown University), the group discussed the diversity of ways that scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders define success, and what that means for documenting and sharing stories of success in conservation and management. While the primary focus was on scientific synthesis and preparation of a peer-reviewed paper, this workshop also incorporated story-telling through a new module led by Erica Goldman (COMPASS Assistant Director of Policy Outreach). The group discussed elements of a compelling story and honed their story-telling skills, generating prospects for a number of popular articles and use of the narrative arc in writing for popular and scientific audiences. Given the strong interest among donors, nations around the world, and society at large in ensuring that investments in conservation and management yield tangible outcomes, understanding the diversity of ways we define success, acknowledging that we have success stories to tell, and learning how to better tell them, is vital.
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Mon, 08/08/2011 |
Ocean acidification and dead zones: The science behind the headlines COMPASS hosted a field trip to the Oregon coast for state legislators and staff to learn more about the science behind the headlines of ocean acidification and low-oxygen, or "dead", zones, particularly the effects these have on Oregon's marine resources. The day featured five Oregon scientists speaking at the Whiskey Creek Hatchery and in Pacific City. At the Whiskey Creek Hatchery in Netarts Bay, three speakers addressed ocean acidification and impacts on local resources. Here is more information on ocean acidification in Oregon.
The afternoon was spent in Pacific City and featured three speakers discussing oceanographic drivers of low oxygen zones, impacts to resources, and the importance of ocean observing and other collaborative projects among scientists, agencies and fishermen. Here is more information on hypoxia in Oregon.
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