MEDIA ADVISORY: IPCC Lead Author and Ocean Experts Speak to Climate Impacts and Adaptation

Washington, DC – On Monday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will release the contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report. While Working Group I’s report focused on the physical changes occurring due to climate change, this report will focus on the impacts of those changes on human society and natural ecosystems, as well as well as the potential for and limitations of climate adaptation.

Around the world we see coastal communities struggling to cope with the devastating impacts of climate change and ocean ecosystems buckling under the cumulative pressures of warming temperatures, extreme events and increasing acidity. The new IPCC report is expected to include information on the severity of impacts affecting coastal communities and island nations. Investing in resilience and adaptation now is critical for the billions of people living near and relying on the ocean for their livelihood every day.

Ocean Conservancy’s Director of Climate Science, Dr. Sarah Cooley, is a coordinating lead author of the upcoming report’s Chapter 3, “Ocean and Coastal Ecosystems and Their Services.” Dr. Cooley is available to give on the record interviews during and after the report’s embargo period as an IPCC author. Ocean Conservancy’s Climate Policy Director, Anna-Marie Laura, is also available to comment on what actions we need to see governments and the private sector take in order to effectively adapt to the climate impacts occurring today as well as those projected to strike tomorrow.

With coastal communities and low lying regions bearing the brunt of climate change, regional experts from Florida and the Arctic are available to speak to how the report reflects impacts being experienced on the ground today and also what immediate needs are facing their communities and ecosystems.

WHO: Ocean Conservancy climate experts available for interviews:

• IPCC: Dr. Sarah Cooley, IPCC Author; Ocean Conservancy, Climate Science Director.

• NATIONAL CLIMATE POLICY: Anna-Marie Laura, Ocean Conservancy, Climate Policy Director.

• ARCTIC: Becca Gisclair, Ocean Conservancy, Arctic Program Senior Director,

• FLORIDA: Jon Paul “J.P.”  Brooker, Ocean Conservancy, Florida Program Director.

WHAT: Ocean and climate experts respond to the latest IPCC report

WHEN: Before and after the February 28^th report launch

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Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.