Jason Scorse, Director, Center for the Blue Economy, MIIS
Mary Hagedorn, Research Scientist, Smithsonian Institution/Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
Michael Jones, President, The Maritime Alliance, San Diego

Join us for a special off-site program in Monterey!

Many people don't realize the importance of oceans on human food, health and jobs. In addition to fishing, shipping and other sea-related industries, California is also home to a blue tech economy emerging in San Diego and other maritime clusters along the coast.

Researchers and maritime companies are working on measuring the health of the oceans, and it's not a pretty picture. The seas have soaked up nearly half of the carbon dioxide produced by humans in the last 200 years and it’s affecting marine life, from polar to tropical ecosystems. Ocean acidification has major negative impacts on biodiversity, especially for shell-producing marine organisms and coral reefs, which provide essential protection to coastal areas vulnerable to storms and tidal surges.

Those forces will fundamentally alter California's relationship with the ocean. How will changing marine biodiversity impact our livelihood? How can coastal economies prepare for climate disruption? Join us for a discussion with experts from Hawaii, Monterey and San Diego working to raise awareness of the world’s oceans and build a vibrant blue economy.

Location: Monterey Institute of International Studies, 460 Pierce St., Monterey, CA 93940
Time: 6 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program, 7:30 p.m. networking reception
Cost: FREE