From the Bay to the Border: Three of California's Top Scientists Gather to Talk Climate Change, Ocean Innovations During AltaSea Webinar on November 13

Multi-Emmy award-winning journalist Val Zavala to moderate conversation focused on one of the most pressing issues of the day – climate change, from an ocean perspective

AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles announces an upcoming webinar with three of the leading scientists in the field of ocean innovation and conservation. The webinar will focus on the impacts that climate change is having on the ocean and ocean ecosystems, and the innovations that are leading the 21^st century approach to find solutions. The webinar will take place on November 13 at 10 AM PST. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. The link to sign up for the event is: AltaSea-Project-Blue.org/webinars/.

The webinar will feature Dr. Jennifer Smith and Dr. Sarah Purkey from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, and Dr. Cara Field from The Marine Mammal Center in the Bay Area. The three accomplished scientists are recognized leaders in ocean health, conservation, and innovation – from the reefs to the mammals.

"The issue of climate change is increasingly becoming more central to the everyday lives of Americans – from dinner table conversations to presidential debates," said AltaSea Founding Executive Director Jenny Krusoe. "These three women know it best – they're on the frontlines of the fight every single day, and they see firsthand how it affects the ocean that Californians love."

Krusoe will offer opening remarks to kick off the webinar.

Dr. Jennifer Smith is a professor in marine ecology and conservation in the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Smith's research focuses on understanding the factors that influence community structure in marine ecosystems. Her research often goes beyond basic ecology by integrating conservation, restoration, management, and sustainability.

Dr. Sarah Purkey is an assistant professor of climate and atmospheric science and physical oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. As an oceanographer, her research is focused on quantifying temperature, salinity, and circulation changes in the global ocean, including the deep and abyssal layers – the regions of the ocean that are difficult to access with current technology. Much of her current research is focused on explaining the causes of deep warming, and advancing data collection and measurement in the global ocean.

Dr. Cara Field is the medical director at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, the world's largest marine mammal hospital. Dr. Field earned the status of Diplomate with a specialization in aquatic marine medicine – one of only 30 veterinarians in the nation to earn that distinction. Her work is focused on managing the care and health of the Center's marine mammal patients, spearheading numerous research projects, and teaching and mentoring the next generation of veterinarians and marine scientists.

The November 13 webinar is the latest in a series of webinars that AltaSea has hosted in 2020 following their launch of Project Blue, a digital education platform designed to provide science-based programming through webinars and live chats and inspire the next generation of explorers.

"This webinar is a prime example of what AltaSea is all about – to convene the greatest minds in the field of ocean conservation and innovation, all fighting for a common goal," said Krusoe.

AltaSea and Scripps Institution of Oceanography recently joined forces in August to connect Scripps students, innovators, and scientists with AltaSea's blue economy entrepreneurs for a broad-based research, education, public outreach, and workforce development partnership that is designed to bring about a greater understanding of the ocean and to advance the Blue Economy in Southern California.

Moderating the November 13 webinar will be the multi-Emmy award-winning journalist, Val Zavala. Zavala spent 30 years as a broadcast journalist at KCET in Los Angeles, winning numerous journalism awards. During her career, Zavala has covered a broad spectrum of Southern California issues, including politics, the environment, and the economy.

About AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles

AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles is dedicated to accelerating scientific collaboration, advancing an emerging blue economy through business innovation and job creation, and inspiring the next generation, all for a more sustainable, just, and equitable world.

For more information on AltaSea, please see our website: https://altasea.org

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