Thu, May 23, 2019 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH LABORATORY (AERL). Wendy Watson-Wright, PhD Chief Executive Officer/Présidente Directrice-Générale Ocean Frontier Institute Location: AERL Theatre
The Pacific Ocean may be larger, but the Atlantic Ocean — specifically the North Atlantic — is significant. The region's unique physical, chemical and biological processes make it an epicentre of international scientific interest and a predictor for the global ocean. Its deep overturning circulation results in the most intense carbon sequestration on the planet. It has a highly productive marine ecosystem and air-sea interactions that modulate the weather and climate of North America and Europe.
At the same time, climate change — specifically diminished ice cover — has increased shipping in the Canadian Arctic, raising sovereignty, security, social and environmental issues. The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) was established in 2016 to bring together researchers from both sides of the North Atlantic to better understand how and why the North Atlantic is changing and to identify effective approaches to resource development that are globally competitive and sustainable.
On May 23, Wendy Watson-Wright, CEO of the OFI, will provide an overview of her organization, its research and expected benefits for Canada, and will discuss current and potential future connections between OFI and IOF.