- The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) hosted a parliamentary reception on Wednesday 7 June to celebrate World Ocean Day.
- Entitled “The Ocean and our Climate,” the event brought together stakeholders from across government, research and industry sectors as well as over a dozen parliamentarians to share knowledge and network.
Leading NOC experts on sea-level rise, biodiversity and blue carbon were on hand to engage with guests about cutting-edge research taking place on these issues and their importance in understanding and confronting climate change.
Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Ocean Sally-Ann Hart MP delivered opening remarks on the work the APPG has undertaken in the last year, including The Ocean: Turning the Tide on Climate Change, a report published in December following the APPG’s inquiry into blue carbon and ocean-based solutions to climate change. Ms Hart also announced the APPG’s second inquiry into the Future of Ocean Technology which will be accepting written evidence until 12 July.
Minister for Science, Research and Innovation George Freeman MP was unable to attend the reception in person but sent a video address to guests celebrating World Ocean Day. Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Chi MP spoke to guests about the important role that Independent Research Organisations such as NOC play in the UK research and development landscape.
Attendees were also delighted to welcome Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP, the Chair of Environmental Audit Committee Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP and the Chair of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Sir Robert Goodwill MP to the evening’s discussions.
Jeremy Darroch, NOC’s Chair of Trustees together with CEO Professor Ed Hill CBE closed the evening with an invitation to shine the spotlight on the ocean in conversations about climate change, encouraging attendees to champion ocean action and amplify the evening’s discussions and insights on social media using #OceanActionIsClimateAction and #WorldOceanDay.
Thank you to all the guests who joined us for this event, and a special thanks to NOC Ambassadors Benhilda Mlambo and Olly Hicks who attended to represent NOC.
Find out more about NOC and how you can support ocean action or contact holly.evans@noc.ac.uk.