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The Living Sea: Summaries
- Storms and the Oceans
Kerry A. Emanuel, PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
At first glance, storms and the oceans might not seem to have much to do with one another. After all, we are most concerned with storms that affect land, where we live; storms at sea might seem to be an issue only for mariners. But there are at least two reasons to be interested in storms at sea. First, the most violent and lethal storms to affect islands and coastal region are hurricanes, which form and develop exclusively at sea. Second, and far less obviously, ocean storms (especially hurricanes) play an important role in global climate by regulating the temperatures of the tropical oceans, and by pumping heat poleward and thereby warming the higher latitudes.
In my talk, I will review what is known about ocean storms and how they have affected mankind throughout our history. I also talk about climate in general and the important role that turbulent mixing of the upper tropical ocean plays in climate, and how this mixing is provided mostly by hurricanes, noting along the way that this effect is not included in the current crop of global climate models that are being used to assess global warming. I will offer some preliminary forecasts of what the inclusion of this effect might do to climate predictions. Finally, I will talk about the possible importance of ocean storms in promoting biological activity in the ocean.
- Fisheries: A Global Assessment
Carl Safina, PhD, Blue Ocean Institute
Though long thought limitless, the sea's limits have been found. Many fish populations have been depleted and total world catches are now declining. But there is hope.
In a talk that is part science lecture, part biography, and part book-reading, scientist and author Carl Safina will discuss fish as wildlife and explore the role of overfishing, fishery discards, fish
farming, and human-altered habitats in our changing oceans. We will discuss the implications of these changes for both sea life and human communities.
Despite serious problems, recent good news indicates that downward trends are beginning to reverse in some areas, with some recoveries underway due to improved management, and greatly increased public awareness. We will also discuss how people's seafood choices can add momentum to a new movement of consumer-led efforts to improve fisheries and restore abundant marine life.
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