Ocean Impacts of Climate Change: Science, People and Policy

Friday, September 10, 2010
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Room 175, Knight Law Center
1515 Agate Street

Pre-registration strongly encouraged

A one-day symposium organized by 2010-11 Resident Scholar Richard Hildreth
Co-sponsored by PISCO: Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans, the UO School of Law, Oregon State University Foundation, and UO Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies.

About the conference

The earth's oceans buffer us from climate change by absorbing heat and dissolving CO2 initially discharged into the atmosphere. The resulting thermal expansion of the ocean contributes to sea level rise along with melting ice caps and glaciers. Further, the ocean's increasing acidity is adversely affecting important ocean ecosystems and species. Accelerated sea level rise adversely affects low-lying island and coastal communities as well as the ecosystem. This conference highlights the relevant science, the impacts on people, and potential policy and legal responses to these impacts of climate change.

The audience will include University of Oregon and Oregon State University faculty and students in disciplines related to climate change, public and private sector decision-makers, and community members. 2.5 hours general CLE credits approved.

The conference is free and open to the public. However, space is limited, and we strongly encourage registration. This will help us ensure adequate space and materials, as well as guarantee you a lunch.

Conference Agenda

8:30 a.m. Welcome and Science Panel

Welcome and Introduction
Richard Hildreth, Professor of Law and Morse Resident Scholar

Science Keynote and PISCO Panel

Moderator
Dr. Jack Barth, Oregon State University

Climate change Impacts on Oceans and Humans
Dr. Mary Ruckelshaus, NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Panel
Ocean-atmosphere Interactions and Why They Matter
Dr. Nathan Mantua, University of Washington.

Chemical Changes in the Oceans
Dr. Francis Chan, Oregon State University

Food-web Effects and Upper Trophic Levels
Dr. Julia Parrish, University of Washington

11:30 a.m. Lunch and Keynote Address

Climate Change Policy for the Oceans: When Scientists and Lawyers Talk
Meg Caldwell, Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University.

1 p.m. Panel on Peoples and Communities

Moderator:
Jon Van Dyke, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Climate-Induced Migration: A Global Perspective
Maxine Burkett, Wayne Morse Chair and director of the University of Hawaii Center for Island Climate Adaptation & Policy

Sea Level Rise and Equity: A Domestic Perspective
Alice Kaswan, University of San Francisco School of Law

Reflections on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Hari Osofsky, University of Minnesota School of Law

2:45 p.m. Policy Panel

Moderator
Ted McDorman, University of Victoria; Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Ocean Development & International Law

Climate Policy and the Oceans
Ronald Mitchell, University of Oregon Political Science

The Public Trust in Oceans: The Judicial Role
Mary Wood, University of Oregon School of Law

International law and the Ocean Impacts of Climate Change
David Freestone, George Washington School of Law; Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Marine & Coastal Law

4:15 p.m. Concluding Remarks

Richard Hildreth

For more information please visit http://www.waynemorsecenter.uoregon.edu/_pages/events_themes/oceans_conference.html