Oceans of Knowledge 2021: Climate Change and the Ocean
The 4th Oceans of Knowledge conference organised by the IMarEST Operational Oceanography Special Interest Group takes place this month, bringing together experts from across the world, and is an important springboard event for COP26.
Ahead of COP26 and during the first year of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, addressing impacts of climate change on our ocean has never been timelier – or more urgent.
Globally-critical issues are finally getting the wider attention they so desperately need. October’s two-day Oceans of Knowledge 2021: Climate Change and the Ocean conference brings together leading scientists, technologists, and practitioners, to explore the many challenges and potential solutions.
Climate action urgently needs effective global collaboration. Oceans of Knowledge organisers are excited at how much collaboration has become a key feature of the event, produced in partnership between the IMarEST and RMetS (The Royal Meteorological Society) with support from other learned societies and professional bodies.
Importantly, it is planned as a springboard event for further work to support the UN Ocean Decade through peer-reviewed publications and workshops, and creating conversations to help inform COP26 in Glasgow.
On both days, keynote speakers will highlight the latest thinking on ocean-related aspects of climate change. A packed programme of world-class speakers and panel discussions will capture tangible actions that can be taken forward.
The first day will explore how climate change is driving the blue economy, involving sustainable use of the ocean and ocean resources, with a focus on the energy transition. Food security and the role of the ocean in natural and engineered climate mitigation will also be examined.
Day two is dedicated to the enormous challenges associated with adapting to unstoppable sea level rise. The latest scientific understandings and uncertainties will be discussed, as will the range of practical measures already being taken to improve coastal resilience.
Outputs from the conference will be used to generate a summary report drawing together the themes, informing follow-on workshops and supporting peer-reviewed publications.
Resilient Ocean premiere
Delegates will be able to see the world premiere of Resilient Ocean on the Wednesday (27 October) during the lunch interval. Produced with ITN Productions, the programme explores the importance of preserving the future health and resilience of our ocean resources through scientific advances and sustainable management. The video will be uploaded on the IMarEST homepage.
Find out more
Oceans of Knowledge 2021 is taking place in London with remote participation worldwide. It will provide an important opportunity to meet – in person or online – and network with delegates from government, academia, and industry, representing multiple disciplines and sectors concerned with understanding, mitigating, and adapting to a changing climate.
Oceans of Knowledge 2021: Climate Change and the Ocean, 26-27 October 2021, Institute of Physics, London, with remote participation worldwide.
Event and ticketing details here.
Gus Jeans FIMarEST is Director, Ocenalysis.