Dr Carol Turley, senior scientist at PML and Knowledge Exchange Coordinator of the UK Ocean Acidification Research Programme (UKOA), is in Paris this week at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP21.
A key task for the COP is to review the national communications and emission inventories submitted by Parties. Based on this information, the COP assesses the effects of the measures taken by Parties and the progress made in achieving the ultimate objective of the Convention. This year the overarching aim of COP21 is to build a “Paris Climate Alliance” to keep the average global temperature rise below 2°C. Each country will discuss their contributions and demonstrate their commitment towards this goal.
PML will be exhibiting at the event, as well as attending separate side events such as Oceans Day and the Ocean and Climate platform. Dr Turley will also be presenting at COP21 during the special event ‘Ocean acidification and other climate stressors or impacts on the ocean – where we are heading, and what we need to stop it’ asking the question – can we adapt to ocean acidification?
Earlier this year a scientific paper was published in the journal Science, in which ocean experts including Dr Turley gave a stark warning to governments ahead of the Paris climate negotiations. The article urged policy makers to give the Ocean and its future sustainability the attention they scientifically deserve at COP21, in light of known climate change impacts on the Ocean which are expected to worsen in the future.
Further Information
– You can follow the progress of the Convention via the COP21 website here.
– Dr Turley will be taking the Hot, Sour and Breathless message to COP21, a PML coordinated publication emphasising the increasing stress on the Ocean from the consequences of a high CO2 world. For more information please click here.
Dr Turley will be participating at the following during COP21:
Side events:
- EU side event, EU Pavilion in the Blue zone. Side event (No 27): The changing ocean and its impact on society , 3 December
- Oceans Day at COP 21, Rio Conventions Pavilion in the Red Zone 4 December
- IUCN Pavilion in the Blue Zone 7 December: Ocean acidification and other climate stressors (or impacts) on the ocean – where we are heading, and what we need to stop it.
- UNESCO Ocean Session in the Red zone 10 December: Monitoring the impacts of climate change on the ocean and coasts?
- The Ocean and Climate Platform in the Red Zone (all day event) 3 December
Exhibition stands/booths:
- Hot, sour and breathless booth in the Blue Zone
- Ocean of Opportunity exhibition in the Red Zone
