MEDIA ADVISORY & STATEMENTS: Ocean Conservancy Expert to Testify on Coastal & Ocean Impacts of Climate, Acidification

WASHINGTON, DC – Rising carbon pollution is not only warming the world’s oceans – it’s also changing their very chemistry. Already, communities around the globe are experiencing failing shellfish harvests and other ecological and economic issues, due to dangerously acidic ocean waters.

This week, marine scientist Sarah Cooley, Ph.D., will testify about these impacts before the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space & Technology Subcommittee on Environment. The hearing (Sea Change: Impacts of Climate Change on Our Oceans and Coasts) will explore the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on oceans and U.S. coastal communities.

WHO:  Expert witness testimony given by:

• Sarah Cooley, Ph.D., Ocean Conservancy
• Radley M. Horton, Columbia University
• Margaret Pilaro, Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association
• Tom Frazer, University of Florida (for the Minority)

WHEN:  February 27, 10:00 AM EDT

WHERE:  House Science, Space & Technology Hearing Room, 2318 Rayburn House Office Building

The event will be live-tweeted via the @OurOcean account. To follow the hearing, use the #OceanClimateAction hashtag.

 MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Reporters interested in conducting in-person or phone interviews with Dr. Sarah Cooley should contact one of the Ocean Conservancy contacts listed above.

EXPERT TESTIMONY

Experts will share climate change impacts on coastal communities, including changing ocean chemistry, warming seas, sea level rise and coastal flooding, and impacts on businesses such as the shellfish industry.

Expert witnesses at the Subcommittee hearing will speak to:

• The state of ocean change science and key takeaways from the 4^th National Climate Assessment.
• The importance of Congressional climate action, and solutions that include oceans.
• The impacts that climate change has already had on coastal communities, cultures and livelihoods – from ocean acidification to ocean warming to sea level rise and coastal flooding.
• The effect of warming seas and changing ocean chemistry on the U.S. shellfish industry.

STATEMENTS TO THE MEDIA

“The ocean is a system at risk, struggling to keep pace with rising temperatures, pollution, and the absorption of greenhouse gases,” said Sarah Cooley, Ph.D., Director of the Ocean Conservancy’s Ocean Acidification program. “Fish are moving to cooler waters, coral reefs are struggling to survive and grow, and fisheries are being hit hard by marine heat waves. The evidence is sobering and clearly shows that the fundamental solution to ocean warming, acidification, and oxygen loss is to decrease carbon dioxide emissions.”

“The science on climate change is clear, and solutions for our ocean and coastal communities are available here and now,” said Janis Searles Jones, CEO of Ocean Conservancy. “We urge Congress to work toward reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and focus on preparing our coastal communities and our marine ecosystems for the impacts from climate change, and are able to successfully adapt to those they cannot avoid. During the appropriations process this spring, Congress must prioritize critical funding for climate research, coastal resilience, and adaptation programs.”

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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 www.oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.