Ocean Acidification and Sea Level Rise Workshop

Ocean Acidification and Sea Level Rise: Science, Policy, and Commerce

 April 8th, 2014     Log Cabin Pavilion, 1401 Sargent Blvd.     Aberdeen, WA

Presented by Global Ocean Health and the Surfrider Foundation

9AM-12PM
Reducing Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Pollution with Plants
Washingtonians can do little to reduce global carbon emissions, the primary cause of ocean acidification (OA). Much can be done, however, to reduce the local pollutants that worsen OA and to lessen the effects of OA in coastal waters through phytoremediation. This session focuses on how coastal plants can sequester carbon at extremely high rates (outperforming tropical forests) and marine plants can “sweeten” the water, reducing hypoxia, acidification, and eutrophication. Could marine vegetation be used to protect vulnerable shellfish larvae from changing seawater chemistry? We will look at how salt marshes, sea grasses, and macroalgae, such as kelp, may help us adapt to living in a high CO2 world. We will conclude the morning session by looking at the proven benefits and potential earnings from farming the sea while sequestering carbon. We will discuss Coastal Blue Carbon Opportunity Assessment for the Snohomish Estuary: The Climate Benefits of Estuary Restoration, released last year by Restoring America’s Estuaries. Principal author, Dr. Steve Crooks, one of the world’s foremost authorities on climate change adaptation, will participate by Skype and brief participants on options for coastal communities, including carbon credits.

How Much Do Organisms Affect the Carbonate Chemistry of Coastal Waters?
Jennifer Ruesink - University of Washington
PDF  YouTube

Seagrass Beds as Providers of Refugia From Ocean Acidification
An Oregon study
Stephanie Smith - Oregon State University

Coastal Blue Carbon Opportunity Assessment for the Snohomish Estuary
The climate benefits of estuary restoration
Stephen Crooks - Climate Change Services Director, Environmental Sciences Associates
YouTube

Seaweeds
Why they are about to play a more important role in our lives
John Forster - Aquaculture Consultant
PDF   YouTube

12 PM-1PM
(Net)Working Lunch

1PM-4PM
Planning to Make the Most of a Changing Coast
Even if we could instantly stop global carbon emissions today, scientists project that Washington waters face up to 50 years of  increasing “sour” water from previous emissions. Meanwhile sea level rise (SLR) is likely to inundate low-lying coastal areas, greatly expanding estuaries and salt marshes. This session will assess opportunities for economic and environmental “net gain” by integrating acidification and rising seas in planning and policymaking, including shoreline management plans and other coastal planning mechanisms. We will discuss Climate Change in the Chehalis River and Grays Harbor Estuary recently prepared by the Wild Fish Conservancy.

Ocean Acidification, Sea Level Rise
Bending the planning horizon forward
Brad Warren - Global Ocean Health
PDF   YouTube

Sea Level Rise in the Grays Harbor Estuary
Applying what we've learned to salmon habitat conservation and planning
Todd Sandell - Wild Fish Conservancy
PDF   YouTube

4PM-5PM
Reception

Contact: Eric Swenson, Communications & Outreach Director, Global Ocean Health eric.swenson@sustainablefish.org, 206 334-7333

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