Green Street Scene

Climate change is having profound impacts on ocean waters, coastlines and marine biological communities throughout the world. Studies demonstrate that both natural and cultural resources, and the economies they support, are at risk. Impacts range from rising sea levels, increasing water temperatures, and increasing acidification that is corrosive to shell forming organisms. At the same time, the ocean has the potential to provide sustainable alternative energy sources, such as offshore wind and wave power, that can contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Although efforts are underway to slow the global pace of climate change, significant impacts are still expected to occur. It is clear that we must develop and implement strategies to adapt to these changes. Speakers will discuss the implications of climate change to the world’s oceans and how these impacts will put our people and economies at risk. They will introduce a range of innovative strategies that can be taken by coastal states and nations to help adapt to the changes that have already begun and will continue to intensify over the coming century.

Chair

Alexander B. Grannis
Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Moderator

Jim Ayers
Vice President of the Pacific Region at Oceana

Speakers

[Speaker] Gwendolyn Garcia
Governor of Cebu, Philippines

[Speaker] John Ginivan
Executive Director for Planning Policy for the Department of Planning and Community Development of Victoria, Australia

[Speaker] Dr. Tony Haymet
Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, California

[Speaker] Carl Nettleton
Founder of OpenOceans Global

[Speaker] Dr. Noldy Tuerah
Chief Executive Officer of Manado-Bitung Integrated Economic Development Zone of North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

[Speaker] Bart van Bolhuis
Consul General of the Netherlands in Los Angeles

[Speaker] Dr. Dessima M. Williams
Ambassador of Grenada to United Nations and Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States