Media Advisory: Scripps Institution of Oceanography Schedule of Events During Week One at COP25

Researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego will present research and release new findings at COP25 in Madrid, Spain on topics ranging from the role of Antarctic ice melt in global sea-level rise to the distinct impact of climate change on fisheries and a look at the economic impact of extreme weather events such as atmospheric rivers.

Scripps Oceanography has been a leader in making the most up-to-date science available to COP negotiators since the University of California was accepted as an observer organization by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2000. This year, Scripps Oceanography hosts three press conferences and several side events to continue that mission.

The complete list of events during the first week of the conference from Dec. 2 to Dec. 7 is below:

December 3

Side Event:

"SDGS for the SDGS: Students Doing Goal-Oriented Science for Sustainable Development Goals"

Time/Location: 11:30—13:00, Room 5
Description: Student leaders from different academic institutions will present case studies from their campuses that address SDGs. Students will discuss how universities could incorporate SDGs throughout the curriculum and encourage youth-led action. They will propose toolkits for campus and community engagement 

Speakers: Tashiana Osborne, Scripps Oceanography, and student leaders from 5-6 campuses internationally to explain efforts on their own campuses. Also, two students to lead a Q&A and brainstorming session with the audience.

Side Event:

"The Ocean, Climate and Biodiversity: the evidence is clear for raising ambition"

Time/Location: 15:00-16:15 WWF Pavilion (Pandahub), Hall 6, North Convention Centre
Participating:  Lisa Levin, Scripps Oceanography
 

December 4

Side Event

“Implications of observed changes on Antarctic ice shelves”

Time/Location: 10:00–11:30/Cryosphere Pavilion

Participants: Susheel Adusumilli, Maya Becker, and Jack Pan (Scripps Oceanography)

Description: Mass loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet is playing an increasingly large role in global sea-level rise, and it is possible that its associated sea-level contribution could outpace that of the Greenland Ice Sheet by the end of this century. Antarctica’s floating ice shelves, which form as the ice sheet extends into the Southern Ocean, regulate how much of the grounded ice enters the ocean. Thus, they represent a critical piece of the sea-level rise puzzle, and it is vital to understand the processes by which they become more or less stable. In this side event, panelists will draw upon the varied expertise of the members of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Polar Center to describe, explain, and contextualize recent changes observed on Antarctic ice shelves. They will also present recent observations from the western Antarctic Peninsula that demonstrate the interactions between the Antarctic Ice Sheet and nearby ecosystems.

Side Event

 “Moving from Science to Action: Ocean-Climate Policy Recommendations”

Time/Location: 16:30-1800, EU Pavilion

Participating: Lisa Levin, Scripps Oceanography

Description: At COP25, the Ocean and Climate Platform will release its policy recommendations. This document addresses the urgent actions needed to sustain the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus around 4 key areas: Mitigation; Adaptation; Science (covered by L. Levin); and Sustainable Finance. This side-event will bring together international scientists and experts to discuss the rationale behind the Platforms’ recommendations.

December 5

Side Event

“Special Report on Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC): a Pacific perspective”

Time/Location:  10:00-11:00, Moana Pacific Pavilion

Participating: Lisa Levin, Scripps Oceanography

Description: The release and IPCC approval of the SROCC has special importance for the Pacific region, where Leaders have called for a bold and visionary Blue Pacific strategy. The report provides a rather bleak picture for the present and future of the ocean and the countries depending on it. Taking a Pacific perspective, the event will bring together authors and Pacific Leaders to review the relevance of the findings in terms of key priorities for the region, in particular Sea Level Rise, shift in distribution of marine species, reef degradation or blue carbon.

Side Event

“Communicating Climate Change and the role of the SDGs to Skeptics”

Time/Location: 16:00-17:00, UN DESA Pavilion

Participating: Tashiana Osborne, Scripps Oceanography

Description: Climate scientists and policy specialists from Global Good, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and The Carbon Institute will highlight some of the more common questions and statements made by climate change skeptics and provide talking points for how to communicate answers. We will also discuss ways to discuss SDGs that highlight long-term cost effectiveness.

December 6

Press Conference

“Climate Justice is Impossible without Local Data”

Time/Location: 10-10:30 a.m., MOCHA Press Conference Room

Participating: Tashiana Osborne, Tom Corringham, Scripps Oceanography

Description: Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have failed. Communities must now adapt in preparation for worst case scenarios. Data-poor communities require high quality data on changes in local climate and on the social and economic impacts of these changes. In our presentation we highlight the benefits of local data in our research and the limitations we face when local data sources are not available. We argue that data-rich countries should assist in the worldwide collection of local data to ensure that adaptation efforts benefit the most vulnerable.

December 7

Side Event

“Better Understanding Changing Ocean Conditions and Impacts to Marine Species and Ecosystems:  Global Networks that Are Advancing Regional Science, Monitoring and Response Strategies” 

Time/Location: 10:15-11:45, Chile Pavilion

Participating: Lisa Levin, Scripps Oceanography