The complete series of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego press conferences from the COP22 climate talks in Marrakech, Morocco is now available on video.
Scripps scientists and students addressed a range of climate-related topics covering the place of the oceans in national contributions to climate change mitigation efforts, marine protected areas, aerosol research, and ways to prevent extreme climate changes among others. The speakers were part of the UC Revelle Program on Climate Science and Policy, the nongovernmental organization that represents the University of California at United Nations-sponsored climate change negotiations.
Nov. 8
“Blue Opportunities - Marine Ecosystems in Nationally Determined Contributions”
Panelists:
· Lisa Levin, Distinguished Scripps Professor and Director of the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
· Natalya Gallo, Scripps Oceanography PhD student
· Julio Cordano, Representative, Government of Chile
· Ronald Jumeau, Representative, Government of Seychelles and Ambassador for Climate Change and Small Island Developing State Issues
Speakers provide the first holistic look at how countries are including coastal and marine ecosystems in their NDCs. They highlight countries that are acting as ocean leaders, explore current gaps and challenges of ocean-directed adaptation and mitigation commitments, and provide suggestions and opportunities for further incorporation of the ocean into NDCs during the next review cycle.
Nov. 9
"The Global Warming Hiatus and What It Does and Does Not Mean”
Panelists:
· Charles Kennel, Distinguished UC San Diego Professor and former Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography
· Dillon Amaya, Scripps Oceanography PhD student
Panelists discuss how global mean surface air temperature (GMST) did not rise significantly from 2000-2013. In spite of this, global mean upper ocean heat content continues to rise in concert with greenhouse gas concentrations, highlighting the fact that GSMT can be a misleading representation of climate change, However, since COP and the Paris Climate Agreements are primarily concerned with maintaining less than 1.5 degree Celsius warming, it is important to realize that anthropogenic warming is much closer to 1.2 degrees Celsius than it is to 1.9 degrees, which is something that has been masked by natural variability and the global warming hiatus.
Nov. 10
"Climate Change and the Deep Half of the Planet”
Panelists:
· Lisa Levin, Distinguished Scripps Professor and Director of the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
· Natalya Gallo, Scripps Oceanography PhD student
· Kirk Sato, Scripps Oceanography PhD student
· Dr. Francoise Gaill, Emeritus Research Director of the National Center for Scientific Research
· Dimitri Kalenitchenko, Postdoctoral researcher at Québec Océan, Laval University
Panelists examine how in largely unseen ways, climate change is altering the character of the deep oceans, disrupting environmental conditions, and threatening biodiversity to an extent that could require hundreds of years or more for natural systems to recover. We rely on the deep ocean and its ecosystems to absorb heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and to sequester and bury carbon, but this mitigation capacity is taking its toll on deep ecosystems, through warming, ocean acidification, and ocean deoxygenation. The panelists also discuss how there is an urgent need for measures that support healthy oceans through increased observations, monitoring, and protection of deep waters.
Nov. 11
Panelists:
· Todd Martz, Scripps Oceanography Associate Professor
· Yassir Eddebbar, Scripps Oceanography PhD student
Scripps Oceanography scientists discuss recently observed changes in the carbon and heat content of the climate systems as shown by global continuous measurements. They also cover new technologies that allow biogeochemical monitoring and can inform adaptations and mitigation strategies.
Nov. 14
“Fast Actions to Prevent Extreme Climate Changes”
Panelists:
· Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Distinguished Professor of Climate and Atmospheric Sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego
· Durwood Zaelke, President, Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development
· Daniel Kammen, Distinguished Professor of Energy, University of California Berkeley
· Helena Molin-Valdes, UN Environment Programme
· Jacqueline MacGlade, UN Environment Chief Scientist
· Maria Neira, Director, World Health Organization
· Ken Alex, Office of California Governor Jerry Brown
Speakers describe a new approach to meet the goal of limiting warming under 2 degrees Celsius adopts the Paris Agreement, the Kigali Amendment, and other sister agreements, including sub-national efforts such as the Under2MOU as building blocks. The approach consists of pulling three levers to bend the pollution emissions curve and restore climate stability. Panelists will discuss a new report that outlines what it will take to make that happen and highlight the urgent need to deliver clean energy to the world’s poorest 3 billion people.
This report is written by thirty renowned experts in climate science, economics, policy, and military issues from the China, EU, India, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Nov. 15
"The Fate of MPAs in Our Future Oceans”
Panelists include:
· Maya deVries, Scripps Oceanography postdoctoral scholar
· Kirk Sato, Scripps Oceanography PhD student
· Travis Schramek, Scripps Oceanography PhD student
Speakers discuss recent advances in scientific research, technology, and data analysis that have created key novel ways to monitor ecosystem health and determine effective solutions to preserving coastal ecosystems.
Nov. 16
"From Erosion to Rain: How Climate Changes Dust in the Atmosphere”
Panelists:
· Amato Evan, Scripps Oceanography Assistant Professor
· Charlotte Beall, Scripps Oceanography PhD student
Speakers present research demonstrating the profound impacts of dust aerosols on cloud albedo and precipitation, and will discuss the implications of dust-cloud interactions on water resources.