2008 Ocean Science Summit Report: Climate Change and Health

2008 Ocean Science Summit Report: Climate Change and Health Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute 2008 Ocean Science Summit Report: Climate Change and Ocean Health Monterey and Moss Landing, California · May 27-29, 2008 Montterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute 7700 Sandholdt Road · Moss Landing, CA 95039-9644 · 831.775.1700 · www.mbari.org Acknowledgments I wish to thank The David and Lucile Packard Foundation for making the Ocean Science Summit possible through their generous support. Thanks also go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute management team, and to the members of the MBARI Board of Directors, especially to Barbara Wright for her legal guidance and to Julie Packard for her sound advice; to Al Teich from American Association for the Advance- ment of Science; Susan Hackwood from California Council on Science and Credits Technology; and to Marcia McNutt from MBARI, who enthusiastically helped forge the collaboration among our organizations; to Sam Farr, our Congressman from the 17th District and his staff whose invaluable Cover photo, by Todd Walsh, MBARI assistance spread the word and helped attract the legislative staff and rep- Inside front and back covers, Photo by Steve Haddock, MBARI resentatives; to Senator Barbara Boxer and her staff for virtual welcome; Project Manager: Bonnie Lockwood to Steve Etchemendy, Bill Douros, and Kenneth Coale for contributing their organizations’ research vessels; to Todd Walsh for all the photos Project team: Lora Lee Martin, Sarah Fischer, and Judy Kildow found in this report as well as on the Summit website; and to Al Teich for Graphic Design: Wired In Design the additional photos. Thanks to all of those who participated who are All other photos pages 1-15, Todd Walsh, MBARI named throughout this report: planners, administrators, implementers, and collaborators, and especially the invited speakers who provided fresh This report is available on-line as a PDF file at: ideas and inspired the conversations; to all the staff at MBARI who were http://www.mbari.org/news/publications/oss/2008_OSS_rpt.pdf on the ground providing essential support throughout the entire process; and finally to Bonnie Lockwood, Lora Lee Martin, and Sarah Fischer who Copyright © 2008 Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute co-authored this report with me. From start to finish, everyone who was involved deserves credit for the success of the event. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro- duced in any form or by any means without written permission Printed on recycled paper Judith Kildow Table of Contents Executive Summary . 2. Introduction . .2 Summit Goals . 3. Summit Structure and Process . 4. Key Topics . 6. Summit Discussion Highlights . 7. Expanding Scientific Understanding . 7. Opportunities Offered by Emerging Technologies . 8. Exploring Funding Options . 9. Improving Communications . 9. Improving the Policy Process . 10. Summit Reflections . 12. Insights for Future Events . 13. Next Steps . 16. Appendix A: Briefing Papers for Summit Participants . 17. Appendix B: Summit Overview . 25. Appendix C: Summit Agenda . 27. Appendix D: Participants . 31. Appendix E: Summit Staffing Structure . 44. Appendix F: Ocean Science Summit Workshop Overview and Agenda . 45. Pre-Summit Training . 45. Workshop Agenda . 46. Appendix G: Hands-On Field Experiences . 48. Land Sea Interactions: MLML vessel R/V John H. Martin . 48. Near-shore Issues: Sailing vessel Derek M. Baylis . 49. Land Sea Interactions: Elkhorn Slough Safari Boat Trip . 50. Shoreline Changes: Land Tour with Professor Gary Griggs . 54. ROV Mid-water Experiments: MBNMS R/V Fulmar . 67. Deepwater ROV Dives and Ocean Changes: MBARI vessel R/V Pt. Lobos . 71. Appendix H: Round Table Discussion Summary Slides . 73. 2008 Ocean Science Summit Report: Climate Change and Ocean Health Executive Summary discussions. Additional observations as well as suggestions The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), for follow-up activities are noted. in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), The California Council Introduction on Science and Technology (CCST) and the U.S. National In celebration of the tenth anniversary of the United Nations’ Marine Sanctuary Program, held the 2008 Ocean Science Year of the Oceans, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Summit May 27-29 in Monterey California. A group of Institute (MBARI), along with its partners the American engineers, natural and social scientists at MBARI created Association for the Advancement of Science, the Califor- a unique event and setting to transmit important scien- nia Council on Science and Technology, and the National tific messages about changes in the oceans to legislators Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) National and policy makers, while also giving legislators and policy Marine Sanctuary Program, hosted the 2008 Ocean Science makers the opportunity to explain their perspectives and Summit: Climate Change and Ocean Health from May 27 information needs to scientists and engineers. Attendees to 30, 2008 in Monterey and Moss Landing, California. included more than forty of the nation’s best marine scientists, more than twenty committee staff members and three elected officials from Washington D.C., and a select group of leaders in the marine community. This event provided unique opportunities for networking, field experiences along the coast and aboard research vessels, and extensive discussions that facilitated a vigorous exchange of ideas, and consensus regarding marine research and policy needs. The conference participants (a) elevated the visibility and the importance of the oceans in climate change and ocean health, (b) reviewed the current scientific and technological achievements that have helped to reveal key ocean changes and the accompanying issues, and (c) raised the prospect of future opportunities that have high potential for bringing greater understanding about the pressing issues society confronts today. In conclusion, the Summit was important because connections between ocean science and policy, and scientists and policy makers were made, which will improve communications between the cultures. This report documents event Mike Chrisman, California Resources Secretary, explains innovative highlights, key ideas, and themes that emerged from the governance strategies pioneered in California. 2 Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute 2008 Ocean Science Summit Report: Climate Change and Ocean Health With the goal of elevating the importance of unprecedented Primary motivations for this event include: changes underway in the oceans, the Summit organizing • Ocean acidification is almost unknown to the public. team brought together one U.S. senator and two members Yet, its growing presence as a result of greenhouse gas of the House of Representatives and their professional staffs, emissions, is a profound issue, poorly understood, chal- staff from numerous Senate and House Committees, and an lenging to science, and a threat as large as any other to extraordinary community of marine and coastal scientists the stability of global habitat. and leaders. This diverse group sought to highlight the dra- • The ocean has been absent from climate change discus- matic advances in understanding the ocean environment sions, although it covers over seventy percent of the over the past decade and the rapidly emerging challenges Earth, and is the primary driver of climate processes. illuminated by new understanding of the following topics: (1) impacts from increased levels of atmospheric carbon • The science reward system does not encourage scien- dioxide such as climate change and ocean acidification; tists to engage in the political process. Policy makers and (2) land/sea interactions that compromise ecosystems rarely have significant time to delve into the details of with toxic algal blooms, depleted oxygen zones, and other science. Personal connections between legislative staff changes threatening marine life. To focus discussions scien- and members of Congress and scientists demystify both tific briefing papers authored by MBARI scientists provided cultures and encourage meaningful exchange. the discussion themes at the Summit. • Emerging scientific evidence and the rate of discoveries as well as the policymaking process are moving faster The titles of these briefing papers are: than information transfers between the two sectors via • Managing and mitigating risks from ocean changes traditional pathways. Hence, the timely use of science related to climate change: ocean acidification, increas- for policymaking is problematic. ing sea temperature, and sea level rise. • Addressing coastal human impacts that exacerbate Summit Goals Leading ocean scientists, legislators, and policy makers were CO2-driven changes and threaten human and ocean health from run-off, harmful algal blooms, and other brought together to reflect on the decade since the Year of causes. the Ocean to see how far we have come in our understanding of ocean science, technology, and governance, and to • Matching ocean technologies with emerging national priorities; new technologies to support science and fuel American competitiveness. See Appendix A for the complete text of the briefing papers and authors. In order to achieve the Summit goal—to raise the visibility of ocean issues—more policy-relevant science needs to be communicated about ocean changes to better inform political decisions. The

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