Ocean sciences is a vast and ever-changing field, and Chat with a Scientist is here to keep you updated! Every week, our experts will be on hand to answer your questions and talk about the latest ocean science news.
This week, we're joined by Dr. Sarah Cooley, a marine ecologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Dr. Cooley studies how climate change and other stressors are affecting coral reefs.
She'll be answering your questions about her work and the state of the world's reefs. Tune in this Wednesday at 2pm ET for a chat with Dr. Sarah Cooley!
1. Upcoming events for people interested in ocean science
2. "Chat with a Scientist" series profile on ocean scientist
3. What kinds of questions you can ask an ocean scientist
4. How ocean science is relevant to you
5. What you can do to help protect the ocean
1. Upcoming events for people interested in ocean science
*Are you interested in ocean science*?
*Want to chat with a scientist about it*?
There are some great upcoming events where you can do just that!
On March 3, join Dr. Sasha Wilkerson from the University of Washington as she discusses what it's like to be a scientist studying the ocean. You'll learn about the different ocean zones, the creatures that live there, and the importance of ocean science for understanding our planet as a whole.
If you're curious about oceanography and ocean conservation, then you won't want to miss the chat with Dr. Kate Littler on March 10. Dr. Littler is a marine biologist and oceanographer, and she'll be talking about her work studying coral reefs and the impact of climate change on the ocean.
Finally, on March 17, chat with Dr. Andrew Thaler about deep sea creatures. You'll learn about some of the weird and wonderful animals that live in the deep sea, and find out why this environment is so important to study.
So whether you're a ocean science enthusiast or just interested in learning more about this fascinating topic, be sure to check out these upcoming events!
2. "Chat with a Scientist" series profile on ocean scientist
The "Chat with a Scientist" series is a series of profiles on ocean scientists, highlighting their work and their passion for ocean science. This series provides an opportunity for the public to learn more about the work of ocean scientists and the challenges they face.
Dr. Annamaria Olsen is a marine biologist and the Director of the Oceanographic Center at the University of Miami. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Miami in 2001.
Dr. Olsen's research focuses on the ecology of coral reefs and the effects of human activities on these ecosystems. She has published widely on these topics, and her work has been featured in major media outlets such as National Geographic and The New York Times.
Dr. Olsen is a strong advocate for public engagement with science, and she has been involved in several outreach initiatives to bring science to the public. In addition to her work at the University of Miami, she has also taught at the Sea Education Association and the Miami Seaquarium.
Dr. Olsen is passionate about ocean science and believes that it is important for the public to understand the work of ocean scientists and the challenges they face. She hopes that the "Chat with a Scientist" series will help to raise awareness of the importance of ocean science and the need to protect our oceans.
3. What kinds of questions you can ask an ocean scientist
An ocean scientist studies the oceans and the marine life within them. You can ask them about the different types of marine life, the ocean’s role in the water cycle, and the ocean’s currents. You can also ask about the ocean’s role in climate change, and how humans impact the ocean.
4. How ocean science is relevant to you
In the United States, we often take the ocean for granted. It’s there, off in the distance, and we know it’s important, but for many of us, it doesn’t feel like a pressing concern. However, the ocean is vital to our way of life and our economy, and what happens in the ocean affects us all, even if we don’t live near the coast. Here are four ways ocean science is relevant to you:
1. The ocean provides us with food.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the ocean provides us with about 50% of the world’s fish catch. That’s a lot of seafood! Even if you don’t eat fish, the animals we eat (chickens, pigs, cattle, etc.) all rely on marine plants for a portion of their diet. So, whether you like seafood or not, the ocean is helping to put food on your plate.
2. The ocean helps to regulate the Earth’s climate.
The ocean plays a vital role in regulating the Earth’s climate. The ocean absorbs heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which helps to moderate the Earth’s temperature and prevent runaway climate change. The ocean also helps to redistribute heat around the globe, which influences global weather patterns. So, whether you like it or not, the ocean has a direct impact on the weather you experience every day.
3: “The ocean is a major source of renewable energy"...
The ocean is a major source of renewable energy, including wind, wave, and tidal energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the potential for wave energy alone is estimated to be 2,000 terawatt-hours per year — that’s enough to power the entire United States! And, as we move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources, it’s important to remember that the ocean can be a major player in meeting our energy needs.
4. The ocean is a key part of the global economy.
The ocean is a key part of the global economy, accounting for about 50% of the world’s GDP. The U.S. alone has a $288 billion coastline economy, which supports more than 3 million jobs. And, according to the NOAA, the global fishing industry is worth more than $100 billion. Whether you live near the coast or not, the ocean is a major part of the global economy and, as such, is important to everyone.
5. “What you can do to help protect the ocean"
The ocean is a vital part of our planet, providing us with food, oxygen, and even our weather. But it’s in trouble. Luckily, there are things we can do to help protect it.
For starters, we can cut down on the amount of plastic we use. Every year, around 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean. “That’s the equivalent of dumping one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute"! This plastic pollutes the water and hurts marine animals. “Some animals mistake the plastic for food and die"...
We can also reduce the amount of pollution that goes into the ocean. Oil spills, factory waste, and sewage can all pollute the ocean. This pollution can damage the ecosystem and hurt marine animals. We can also help by being more conscious of the fish we eat. Some types of fishing, like bottom trawling, can damage the ocean floor. And some fish are overfished, which means there are too few of them left in the ocean. When we eat sustainably-caught fish, we help protect the ocean and the animals that live there.
We can also help protect the ocean by advocating for it. We can write to our representatives and let them know that we care about the ocean and want them to take action to protect it. We can also support organizations that are working to protect the ocean.
Everyone can do something to help protect the ocean. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can make a big difference for the ocean.
This "Chat with a Scientist" event was a great opportunity for members of the public to learn about ocean science from experts in the field. The scientists were very knowledgeable and had a lot of great information to share. The event was well-organized and ran smoothly. Overall, it was a great event and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about ocean science.
For more details visit website