Leading experts featured in an online series on climate change and its impacts
Scientists at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science are focused on the challenges climate change is having on our region and the world, from understanding the impact of rising sea levels on Maryland’s coastlines to monitoring changes in the ecosystems in the Arctic. Leading experts on climate change and its impacts will be featured in the Science for Communities webinar series hosted by UMCES' Chesapeake Biological Laboratory this fall. The free, online webinars run from 7- 8 p.m. each Tuesday beginning September 28. Following each presentation, there will be a moderated question and answer session. Registration is required HERE.
For a complete listing, visit Science for Communities.
CLIMATE CHANGE 101
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Presented by Dr. Hali Kilbourne, UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
You’ve heard the term climate change, but have you ever wondered how our climate is actually changing? How do we know humans are causing it? And, so what? Earth’s climate has always changed. If it is a serious problem, what do we do now? Dr. Kilbourne will start with the basics and lay out the facts to help you better understand this growing issue.
FUTURE WILDLAND FIRE: LAND MANAGEMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Presented By Dr. Mark Cochrane, UMCES Appalachian Laboratory
Every year we seem to hear of more and more catastrophic wildfires burning here and abroad. The trend is real but the predicament that we face with future wildland fires is the result of both earlier land management actions and the growing influence of climate change. To adapt to changing conditions and mitigate the threats posed by future wildfires, a paradigm shift is needed in how societies view and manage wildfire.
CLIMATE IMPACTS ON GOLDEN TILEFISH: PAST AND PRESENT
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Presented by Dr. Genny Nesslage, UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Golden tilefish is a large, bottom-dwelling marine fish that is particularly susceptible to climate change because it can tolerate only a very narrow range of temperatures. In 1882, millions of golden tilefish died in a sudden event caused by an unusually strong influx of arctic water into the Mid-Atlantic. Since then, scientists have been fascinated with the relationship between ocean conditions and tilefish dynamics. In this seminar, Dr. Nesslage will describe past and present research on the linkage between climate and trends in the golden tilefish fishery.
CLIMATE WARMING AND THE CHANGING PACIFIC ARCTIC MARINE ECOSYSTEM
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Presented by Dr. Jackie Grebmeier, UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
The Bering and Chukchi Seas in the Arctic are undergoing dramatic sea ice reduction and warming conditions that are shifting the composition of bottom-dwelling prey for marine mammals, seabirds and commercial fish in the region. Field studies by scientists are tracking ecosystem status and trends within the international Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) network. In this webinar, internationally recognized Arctic expert Dr. Grebmeier will share highlights of scientific findings from the rapidly changing Arctic.
THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE: INS, OUTS, DEMANDS & FRUSTRATIONS OF SERVING AS LEAD AUTHOR OF WORKING GROUP II
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Presented by Dr. Libby Jewett, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
As part of a multi-year global climate change assessment process, Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) seeks to assess the vulnerability of socio-economic and natural systems to climate change, negative and positive impacts of climate change, and options for adapting to it. But why should we believe what these scientists tell us? As lead author of Working Group II, Dr. Jewett sheds light on the integrity, hard work, and challenges that are key to developing this high-profile report. Dr. Jewett will discuss the rigorous process and extensive scientific review through which the report must pass prior to its expected release in 2022.
RISK ASSESSMENT IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Presented by Dr. Slava Lyubchich, UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Traditionally, long-term observations have been a key component in assessing the risks of weather-induced losses. However, most recent climate trends require the inclusion of future climate projections into the methods and models used to assess the risks. In this seminar, Dr. Lyubchich will discuss how this step has important implications for building codes, pricing agricultural and home insurance.
Visit www.umces.edu/community-learning for more ways to engage with UMCES scientists to learn about the environment.
