LA JOLLA–Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego is launching the next iteration of its renowned Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series with a three-part virtual series dedicated to Scripps Oceanography’s multifaceted work on the changing planet.
The series will focus on the regional impacts of climate change in California and the West including timely topics of atmospheric rivers, rising ocean temperatures, and natural disasters.
Each year the Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science series brings engaging presentations on research conducted worldwide by scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Traditionally hosted live at Birch Aquarium, the lectures have been online since May.
“The new virtual format for the Perspective Lectures has allowed us to reach audiences all over the country in a way we never have before,” said Harry Helling, Executive Director of Birch Aquarium. “This is an exciting opportunity for people to learn how Scripps researchers are tackling tough questions about the impacts of climate change in our own backyard, and how this research is helping inform adaptation and mitigation strategies. These talks make meaningful climate science accessible to our audience.”
Lecture Schedule:
Monday, February 8 at 6 p.m. – The Art and Science of Atmospheric Rivers and the Changing Hydroclimate of the West. Meteorologist Alexander Gershunov
California’s precipitation regime is the most volatile in the country. These large natural swings between drought and extremely rainy years make water resource management in California notoriously difficult. Global climate change is expected to exacerbate the volatility by decreasing the frequency of regional precipitation while increasing its intensity. Join meteorologist Alexander Gershunov to learn about the mechanisms behind these projected changes, their anticipated impacts on California, as well as how art can help convey the science.
Monday, March 8 at 6 p.m.-Getting Warmer? Ocean Temperatures off the California Coast. Oceanographer Katherine Zaba
Local fishermen, surfers, and beachgoers know that ocean temperatures off California’s coast vary, sometimes expectedly, but often unexpectedly. Join Scripps oceanographer Katherine Zaba to learn how scientists deploy innovative ocean technology to monitor and understand ocean warming phenomena, like marine heatwaves and El Niño events, that affect California’s coastline.
Monday, April 12 at 6 p.m. – Fire, Extreme Rainfall, and Debris Flows: Cascading Disasters in a Changing Climate. Meteorologist Nina Oakley
As the climate warms across the globe, California is faced with adapting to a range of climate-related challenges – from drought to increased wildfire activity, to more extreme rain events. Many of these climate change phenomena work in concert to trigger catastrophic events such as post-wildfire debris flows like the one that devastated Montecito, California in January 2018. Scripps meteorologist Nina Oakley will teach how research is helping us understand, anticipate, and prepare for these cascading disasters in our new climate reality.
Lectures are free and available to the public through Zoom, however, registration is required. More information can be found on Birch Aquarium’s website. Registration is currently available for the first lecture, and will soon be added for the others. For additional information, e-mail aquariuminfo@ucsd.edu.
