CLAMER

Climate Change and Marine Ecosystem Research Results

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Although there is no certainty regarding the precise nature and rate of future climate change, even the most moderate scenarios predict a continuing change of the marine environment, with associated major environmental and social impacts. To prepare society for the necessary mitigation and adaptation measures, the awareness of citizens to research results, both certainties and uncertainties, in this specific area should be raised. During the last years, much new information has been gathered in large EU-funded research, but to date this information has not been synthesized nor has it become an important part of public knowledge. The aim of this proposal is to make a synthesis of EU research results on the impacts of climate change on the marine environment and to make this knowledge and its socio-economic consequences better known to European citizens and society at large. Together with expert representatives of major Networks of Excellence, large EU projects and research networks, we will produce a state-of-the-art overview of European research results on the effects of climate change on marine environment. An up-to-date overview of public knowledge and perception on the effects of climate change on marine environments and their socio-economic consequences will be produced by means of polls and questionnaires. The results will be used to identify the main issues to be addressed and the best practices to be used during the outreach activities. Enhancement of public knowledge on climate change impacts on the marine environment, including the socio-economic consequences, will be achieved by means of challenging and innovative tools such as an interactive Pan-European conference at the end of 2010 and a high-quality internet-based portal within an e-learning platform. These outreach activities will build upon recent experience as has been gathered within EU-funded research to communicate with European citizens on impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Researchers joined forces under the EU-funded CLAMER project to assess public perception and knowledge of the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

There is no certainty of the precise effects or rate of future climate change. However, even the most moderate scenarios predict continuing change of marine environments will have major environmental and social impact. Public awareness of the findings and implications of research work in this area is generally low.

An EU-funded research project, 'Climate change and marine ecosystem research results' (CLAMER) aims to address this. Team members will first work on gaining an overview of public perception in this area. This will help them investigate how to effectively relay the key messages from scientific work to citizens. Researchers looked at areas that included rising sea-levels, higher sea temperatures, stratification effects, and the changes in abundance and distribution of marine species.

Polls taken in 10 countries on marine climate change issues found a high degree of awareness on issues such as sea-level rises and temperature fluctuations. However, public knowledge of less visible issues such as ocean acidification was found to be lower.

CLAMER looked at how past research initiatives had communicated their findings to the public and found significant room for improvement. The team developed a number of approaches to increase engagement. Events in aquaria throughout Europe, commissioning the film 'Living with a warmer ocean' and publications were some of the dissemination approaches taken.

Project members thus raised awareness among the public, policymakers and industry. Outcomes should stimulate action on an issue that will have major impacts on our societies.