Global Conference on Oceans, Climate and Security
Making the Connections
The Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate and Security invites you to join a diverse high-level group of scientists, military and civilian policy-makers, and thought-leaders from many disciplines to participate in a dialogue and outcomes-driven conference. Over three days, Global Conference attendees will explore complex, cross-sector topics and strategies through interactive methods such as multi-disciplinary plenary and World café sessions. Learn more about the Conference here.
The Context
The predicted effects of climate change over the coming decades include extreme weather events, drought, flooding, sea level rise, retreating glaciers, habitat shifts, and the increased spread of life-threatening diseases. These conditions have the potential to disrupt societies around the world and force nations to change the way they keep populations safe and secure.
Some threats are direct, such as impacts to global food security through drought or changes in ocean chemistry and temperature, or damage to civilian and military infrastructure caused by sea-level rise and increasingly frequent or intense storm events. Other threats are significant but less direct, such as decreased agricultural productivity, forced migration of coastal populations, and destabilizations of economies due to the ocean’s reduced capacity to regulate climate and provide for human needs. These conditions have the potential to disrupt societies around the world and force nations to change the way they keep population safe and secure.
Conference Objectives
The Global Conference on Oceans, Climate and Security (GC '12) will address the current state and future direction of science and policy that is guiding international, national, and local responses to these issues in a discussion-driven conference that addresses the theme “Collaboration and Action to Address the Impacts of Climate-related Ocean Change on Human, National and International Security.” The Conference will examine the conditions that are likely to be produced by climate change, how these conditions will affect coastal and ocean ecosystems and communities, and how they may affect human and national security interests. GC '12 will focus on three specific themes examining the overall problem from different perspectives with a unified goal of understanding how to mitigate the effects that we can control and adapt to those that we cannot.
Panels of experts will present materials for discussion that:
- Assess the current state of the science; the impact of sea-level rise and ocean acidification on food security, human health, and coastal populations; how human and national security are affected by global climate change;
- Identify key affected regions, strategic interests, policy gaps, and governance implications; and
- Discuss current and potential future civil and military adaptation strategies and actions at multi-national, national and local scales
Registration
| Standard Registration | April 17-May 20, 2012 | $250.00 |
| Late Registration | May 21-May 23, 2012 | $450.00 |
| Veteran & Active Military Pass | January 18-May 23, 2012 | Free |
Registration fees include all conference sessions and select meals (see registration form for more info). Transportation and accommodations are not included. Registration form can be found here.
For more information on the First Global Conference on Oceans, Climate and Security, visit http://www.gcocs.org. GC '12 is a signature event of The Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate and Security at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Visit UMass Boston
Come spend an hour or two exploring the campus and talking with UMass Boston students and admissions counselors. Read More
