A sustainable Future for the Oceans
NOAA Chief Scientist visited the GEOMAR
09.09.2016 / Kiel. With approximately 12,000 employees, 16 active research vessels, a scientific fleet of aircrafts and an environmental satellite program the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States (NOAA) is one of the largest organizations in the field of marine, environmental and atmospheric research worldwide. It includes several other key agencies such as the National Weather Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service or the National Geodetic Survey of the United States. Therefore the visit yesterday of NOAA’s chief scientist Dr Richard W Spinrad to GEOMAR met with broad interest. The key subject of the program was a one-hour lecture attended by numerous GEOMAR scientists on "Key Challenges for Sustainability in the Ocean".
Dr. Spinrad stressed that ocean observation needs to be improved significantly. He mentioned future modeling opportunities and new marine technologies. Additionally he pointed out the importance of the blue economies, which could serve as argument for a careful handling of the seas. He also stressed the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration beyond the boundaries of natural sciences, for example, with the social sciences or economics. "Marine Sciences in Kiel with its interdisciplinary network ,The Future Ocean' are on the right way. But globally, there is still a backlog, "said Dr. Spinrad.
GEOMAR director Professor Peter Herzig also talked with his guest about common objectives and practical transatlantic cooperation. "We don’t explore the oceans as an end in itself. We do it to understand our planet, in order to make the right decisions for the future. This is a tremendous task for humankind that can only be tackled internationally. The NOAA is a strong and important partner in this effort," said Professor Herzig.
