SYMP 9-2 - Innovation and Collaboration along the knowledge-to-action continuum

Marine systems, collectively and at their most individual, are social-ecological systems. Human impacts on the ocean and coastal systems, and the repercussions of these impacts on social systems, have far-reaching effects on both coastal and non-coastal communities globally. Estimates vary, but most agree that more than half of the world’s population lives within 100 miles of a coast, including approximately two-thirds of the U.S. population. The vast majority of the world’s megacities are coastal, and coastal populations continue to grow worldwide. However, human impacts on the ocean, including the effects of climate change, will have consequences for everyone, regardless of location. Climate change, and the subsequent biological and physical shifts, are already affecting livable areas, fish stocks, storm systems, and critical marine habitats. Meanwhile, people continue to move to the coasts, creating multifaceted feedback loops and exacerbating already complex challenges. We cannot solve these challenges without innovation and collaboration across disciplines. Understanding and addressing these problems and feedback loops will require input from local communities, natural and social scientists, policy-makers, and innovative problem solvers from private industries. We must begin by understanding ecological shifts and transitions, but the work cannot end there. Addressing global challenges will require new partners and cross-discipline collaboration. Ecology is a crucial component, but one of many – and many types of ecology will be both relevant and necessary. This talk will examine ‘wicked problems’ in marine systems and highlight opportunities for ecologists to engage along the knowledge-to-action continuum.