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Ocean Acidification - Online Event
Nov 06,2006 00:00
by
SACN
Whilst the world frets about Global Warming, melting icecaps, rising sea levels and catostrophic changes to ocean currents, another danger is creeping up upon us, seemingly unnoticed by the wider media who prime our conciousness. Ocean Acidification is another danger to life on Earth with its origins in our society's dependence upon carbon fuels. Now scientists are organising a worldwide online event giving individuals across the planet the chance to learn of the dangers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NEW ONLINE EVENTS from the WORLD OCEAN OBSERVATORY Dear Ocean Colleague, On November 13th-14th, 2006, The World Ocean Observatory will present an online, interactive web-cast on Ocean Acidification. This is a unique opportunity for students, educators and interested individuals to participate in the first demonstration of an ongoing series of global online events to explore ocean issues. Those who attend this 45 minute event hosted in Australia will participate in a real-time interactive presentations and discussions with leading scientists around the world. The basic chemistry of our oceans is changing as they absorb carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by human activities. This decrease in the ocean's pH and the resulting increase in acidity is called ocean acidification. Present evidence suggests that dramatic changes in the marine environment over the next 100-200 years can be avoided only with early and deep reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. Please find below detailed description of the World Ocean Forum's Ocean Acidification Online Event. We invite you to join us for our first event broadcast on Monday, November 13th, 2006 at 5:30pm Eastern Standard Time. We have approximately 100 spaces available, please respond as soon as possible to ensure your place in the forum. The World Ocean Observatory (w2o) is a central place of exchange for global information, education and public discourse about the ocean. It serves as an independent forum and focus for ocean affairs. Its intent is to communicate the full spectrum of ocean issues - climate, conservation, biology and ecology, fresh water, food, energy, commerce and transportation, public health, finance, governance, recreation and culture - to citizens worldwide as a realization that the sea connects all things. Please join us as we launch Ocean Acidification, the first of our exciting Online Events. Thank you, The Webcast... Topic: OCEAN ACIDIFICATION The basic chemistry of our oceans is changing because of its uptake of carbon dioxide released by human activities. This decrease in the ocean's pH and resulting increase in acidity is called Ocean Acidification. Present evidence suggests that dramatic changes in the marine environment over the next 100-200 years can be avoided only with early and deep reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. Date: November 13-14, 2006 (depending upon your time-zone)
Currently Centra will only operate on PC computers however it will be available to download onto Mac computers from Dec 2006. For this online webcast you will therefore need a PC computer. (UTC-time is Coordinated Universal Time. GMT is Greenwich Mean Time) Welcome, introductions, webcast format and tools (2min) Peter Neill - The World Ocean Observatory and its 2007 program (3min) The issue of Ocean Acidification, what is it? The chemistry / key ideas which relate to Ocean Acidification (5 min) Short time for students to ask guest presenters questions (3min) Findings of the major global 2005 report on Ocean Acidification (5min) Description of present situation (5min). Current research (5min) Student question time (3min) Future predictions, implications and actions (5min) Opportunities for students, eg career pathways (2min) Final student question time (5min) Keeping informed, thanks and event close (2min)
It provides an excellent overview of ocean acidification, explores its impact and implications on us and our world, and makes the connections to key ideas and concepts students need to know and understand. This webcast will also be archived on the website for participants unable to access the event in real-time. http://www.thew2o-events.net/ |