Panel Sessions-Tuesday, September 24

Where: Halifax Convention Centre, Ballroom B3

When: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 1:00 – 3:30 (ADT)

Public investment in space-based observational capacity is justified by its significant societal benefits, including reduced losses and increased economic productivity. However, satellite observations are not used directly; rather, they are embedded in intricate value chains that transform them into actionable insights. These observations support models that produce forecasts and products, which are then disseminated to various end users for decision-making. The economic rationale for such investments is often based on whether the societal benefits outweigh the costs. Evaluating the societal value of satellite observations involves understanding these value chains, from observations to model outputs and their applications. It requires assessing how satellite data enhance products and improve outcomes. Additionally, quantifying benefits often involves comparing loss reductions from better observations with historical loss data and projecting future trends.

This panel will explore the value chain of space-based ocean observations, offering concrete examples and financial estimates of their benefits. Panelists will connect different stages of the value chain, from data integration to end-user applications. They will address questions including the potential benefits of space-based ocean observations, the economic impact of improvements in observations, and future applications. This discussion will highlight how satellite observations influence coastal and marine resource management and explore emerging opportunities for enhanced observational technologies.

Moderator:
Jeffrey Wielgus, Director, Social Science and Performance Division, PRSSO / NOAA

Speakers:
David G. Lubar, Senior Project Leader, NASA/NOAA GEO Program Office
Tracy Rouleau, President, TBD Economics
Jeffery Adkins, Principle, TBD Economics

Where: Halifax Convention Centre, Argyle A2-A3

When: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 1:00 – 3:30 (ADT)

Since 2000, the SOI Foundation's ship expeditions have connected young people, educators, scientists, Indigenous elders, and experts through place-based learning in polar regions and beyond. In 2023 and 2024, SOI piloted a new model through the Blue Futures Pathways Program, an endorsed action under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. These expeditions engaged young adults in exploring the sustainable blue economy and socio-cultural, environmental, and economic drivers from Nunavut to Labrador.

This session will also highlight the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, the Canadian Coast Guard's new vessel replacing the CCGS Hudson. Attendees will learn about its namesake, ship operations, roles in oceanographic research, and career paths for crew members such as Deck Officers and Science Staff, including training for these maritime roles.

Moderator:
Anna Naylor, Program Manager, SOI Foundation

Speakers:
Tara Mascarenhas, Director of Programs, SOI Foundation
Captain Gregory Wilkie, Commanding Officer, Canadian Coast Guard, Atlantic Region

Where: Halifax Convention Centre, Argyle A1

When: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 1:00 – 3:30 (ADT)

The global ocean economy plays a paramount role in our interconnected world. It enables the movement of goods, raw materials, and energy resources across oceans and continents, facilitating economic growth and prosperity and supports national security. This session provides an overview of the evolving societal, economic, technological, and environmental needs of ocean education and outreach. It will explore the key roles of education, development support, and outreach in creating sustainable solutions which provide maximum value to the world. The education section of this session highlights Old Dominion University's establishment of the School of Supply Chain, Logistics, and Maritime Operations, industry outreach including internships, conferences, academic-industry partnerships, and seminars, workforce education, and its establishment of faculty, staff, and student programs on the ocean economy. The session highlights Hampton Roads regional efforts, including K-12 outreach, skilled trades curriculum development, programming for industry needs, and internships for regional ocean industries. The ocean geospatial education segment gives an overview of applied ocean themed geospatial courses, including metocean and climate, oil spill mapping, surveillance, storm and tsunami hazards, maritime-industrial base, ocean planning and service-learning projects. Internships, service learning, and student capstone projects also provide the interface for academic-industry collaboration and educational salience. The outreach section covers support of marine technologists who develop innovations to address the hard problems facing the world and supporting both researchers and industry to refine their solutions and bring them to market. This section covers how to develop the "non-technical" aspects of your ocean solutions to increase success.

Speakers:

Dr. Tom Allen, Professor of Geography, Old Dominion University

Jerry Cronin, Executive Director, OpenSeas Technology Innovation Hub, Old Dominion University

Natalie Zielinski, Senior Product Manager, Sea-Bird Scientific

Where: Halifax Convention Centre, Ballroom B3

When: Tuesday, 24 September 2024, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Data and observations from space are expanding at exponential rates. This confluence of information introduces and expands on opportunities to see and share knowledge like never before. This session will explore the contributions of three space agencies – NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) – to the advancement of coastal and ocean based decision-making. The launch of Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) and Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) instruments builds on decades long data records from instruments such as Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, JASON 3, and RADARSAT, among many others. As data and computing power merge, new applications emerge ranging from sustainable shipping, ecological conservation and disaster management, to supporting the growth of the sustainable blue economy.

Moderator:

Laura Rogers, Program Manager, NASA Earth Science Technology

Speakers:

CarolAnne Black, Engagement Lead, Cerulean Information Factory, Polar View

Maury Estes, Associate Program Manager, NASA Ecological Conservation Program

Jean Bergeron, Mission Scientist, Canadian Space Agency

Where: Halifax Convention Centre, Ballroom B3

When: Tuesday, 24 September 2024, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Where: Halifax Convention Centre, Argyle A2-A3

When: Tuesday, 24 September 2024, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

During OCEANS 2024, representatives from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Canada's Ocean Supercluster (OSC) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to codify the relationship between these two organizations for improving the collaboration and coordination around joint objectives that advance a sustainable ocean economy, including the use of ocean resources for economic growth, improving livelihoods, and creating jobs, while preserving the health of the marine and coastal ecosystem. Efforts between NOAA and OSC will focus on areas of mutual interest, including: (1) Industry convenings to develop greater connections in the advancement of the sustainable ocean economy; (2) Technology sharing and innovation to collaborate on knowledge sharing and technical information exchange; and (3) Ocean workforce development. The results of these joint projects will ultimately work to develop, grow, and measure the societal, economic, and environmental benefits of the Ocean Enterprise. This town hall will bring together representatives from NOAA and OSC to discuss the MOU as well as current and future opportunities with growing the Ocean Enterprise within and between these two counties.

Where: Halifax Convention Centre, Argyle A1

When: Tuesday, 24 September 2024, 3:30 – 5:00 (ADT)

There are many sustainability challenges related to the ocean, including (but not limited to) climate issues such as heat content and acidification due to atmospheric CO2 as well as comprehensive observations of ocean processes and health to enable effective policy decisions.
We have long relied on the land and oceans to absorb excess CO2 in the atmosphere, but they are now facing the limits in how much they can absorb. With the threat of increasing wildfires and ocean acidification, carbon removal approaches offer a solution to support land and ocean ecosystems and scale up the amount of carbon removed from the atmosphere.

The root cause of warming and acidification is atmospheric carbon dioxide, and while reducing emissions is critical, it is now stated by the IPCC Report that carbon dioxide removal will also be necessary for achieving the 1.5 C warming limits. The ocean holds the potential for a substantial portion of this carbon sequestration. Different methods require substantial innovation in the basic techniques, measuring and monitoring of effectiveness and ecosystem impacts, and potential scaling-up to meet the demand for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). While measuring and monitoring is a key enabler for CDR, society also needs dramatically enhanced understanding of many more ocean processes to enable better management and policy decisions. Achieving large-scale improvements of ocean observations will require a combination of technology innovation, automation and standardization, as well as scientific coordination and international collaboration amongst policies and governments.

This interactive session will explore how ocean technology and engineering can promote sustainability, emphasizing the critical need for transparent dialogue between technological innovation and policy development. A robust legal framework is essential to ensure that marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) is conducted safely, responsibly, and equitably. This involves the interplay of various legal regimes within the ocean and climate nexus. The current governance frameworks and international agreements are inadequate. This includes the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the London Convention and Protocol that indirectly touch on topics related to mCDR. Resolutions under these conventions take a skeptical stance on mCDR and impose restrictions on its research and implementation. Key issues and developments related to the Paris Agreement, the London Convention and Protocol, and the (newly) adopted Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, all significant for geoengineering, will be highlighted. The importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration between science, technology, and legal frameworks cannot be overstated, as they are deeply interdependent.

Experts will highlight specific gaps and opportunities to enhance synergies between industry, science, and policy. meeting room.

Moderator:

Laura Meyer, Chair Ocean Decade Initiative, IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society

Speakers:

Korey Silverman-Roati, Senior Fellow, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

Emily Patrolia, Founder, ESP Advisors

Anya Waite, Scientific Director and CEO, Ocean Frontier Institute

Where: Halifax Convention Centre, Room 202

When: Tuesday, 24 September 2024, 3:30 – 5:00 (ADT)

Shipping throughout Inuit Nunangat is rapidly expanding because of increasing accessibility due to the impacts of climate change. The Qanittaq Clean Arctic Shipping Initiative is a partnership between academic institutions and Inuit organizations – specifically Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada – to address and respond to concerns about the growth in Arctic shipping and related environmental and public health impacts on Northern communities. Increased access to Arctic waters and ports raises issues requiring the robust application of innovative science and technology approaches, as well as considerations for policy and governance. This work cannot be completed successfully solely by academic researchers, and requires the involvement of Inuit, industry, and government. Research is needed to develop the knowledge base required for more sustainable, more efficient, and safer shipping in Inuit Nunangat, with guidance and input from Inuit organizations and local knowledge holders placing Inuit priorities at the centre, to generate the evidence to support policy changes. This panel will feature leads or designates of each of the three key research themes of the Qanittaq initiative together with a representative of co-lead ICC-Canada.

Moderator:
Sara L. Seck, Director, Marine & Environmental Law Institute, Dalhousie University

Speakers:
Dr. Aldo Chircop, Professor of Law & Policy, Marine & Environmental Law Institute, Dalhousie University
Michelle Gillis, Research Manager, Inuit Circumpolar Council
Ronald Pelot, Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering, Dalhousie University
Dr. Claude Daley, Professor, Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering Program, Memorial University