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Free online lectures: Explore a world of ideas

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New England Aquarium

Opened on the Boston Waterfront in 1969, the New England Aquarium is one of the world’s first modern aquariums. Visitors can explore the ocean and visit thousands of marine animals in three levels of world-class exhibits. Combining education, entertainment and action to address the most challenging problems facing the ocean, the New England Aquarium aims to create a new generation of ocean stewards. Since 1972, the Aquarium has been providing free lectures and films by scientists, environmental writers, photographers and many more. Through the generosity of the Lowell Institute, the Aquarium Lecture Series is free and open to the public. Registration is requested and all programs start at 7 p.m. in the Aquarium's Simons IMAX Theatre, unless otherwise noted. Programs last approximately one hour. For more information or to join our mailing list, visit: www.neaq.org/aquariumlectures

http://www.neaq.org/

A Carbon-Free and Climate-Ready Boston

Tue, Nov 28, 2017

Since 1991, Boston has experienced 21 events that triggered federal or state disaster declarations. In 2011, Hurricane Irene caused downed trees and power outages across the city. In 2012, while Boston was spared the most devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, the city still experienced high winds and coastal flooding. As the climate changes, the likelihood of coastal and riverine flooding—as well as other hazards like stormwater flooding and extreme heat will increase. The challenges from climate change are substantial and complex but can be addressed through bold and creative actions that support the city’s vitality and livability. Boston can thrive in the coming decades if it takes action to adapt its people, its neighborhoods, and its economic and cultural assets, starting now. Austin Blackmon, then Boston's Chief of Environment, Energy And Open Space, explains that change is difficult, contentious, and complex, but if done well, the work can create a resilient, climate-ready Boston and dramatically improve the city and quality of life for all its residents.

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New England Aquarium
Climate Change along the Western Antarctic Peninsula

Thu, Sep 28, 2017

The western Antarctic Peninsula is experiencing some of the most dramatic climate change on the planet and is a natural laboratory for studying how ocean ecosystems respond to climate. Rapid ocean-atmosphere warming, melting of coastal glaciers, and reductions in seasonal ice cover all echo throughout the marine food web from seawater chemistry, plankton, and krill to top predators, including penguins and marine mammals. Using the wealth of data from the **Palmer Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)** programs, Dr. Doney will highlight key lessons from field expeditions, autonomous robots, satellite remote sensing, and models regarding changing conditions in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic.

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New England Aquarium
Extreme Weather and Climate Change: What We Know and What We Can Do

Thu, Sep 14, 2017

Extreme weather events have wrought havoc across New England and the nation over the last decade or longer. Record-breaking events will always occur, but the time between these events should increase. As climate change occurs, records are getting broken in record time! There are three truths that climate science tells us about what we can expect from climate change: * Small changes in an average value have bigger effects * Our carbon dioxide emissions has embedded a certain amount of change into the climate system * If we don’t account for our changing climate, our plans and designs will be wrong. In this presentation, Dr. Ellen Marie Douglas discusses observations of our changing climate, what changes may be in Boston’s future and some plans for how to adapt to these changes. Photo: NOAA Satellites (Hurricane Harvey on August 26, 2017) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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New England Aquarium
African Manatees and Sea Turtles: Conservation Challenges and Successes

Thu, Aug 3, 2017

For more than two decades, scientists Lucy Keith-Diagne Ph. D. and Tomas Diagne have been working to study manatees and turtles and advocate for their protection. During the last 11 years, Lucy has focused her research on the African manatee, which is one of the least understood marine mammals of the world and is often referred to as the “forgotten sirenian.” Lucy speaks about her efforts to determine the African manatee's population across West and Central Africa. She also has tried to better understand their diet, and she is aiming to lead the first assessments of manatee threats. She describes her search for solutions across the species’ range. Tomas Diagne researches threats to sea turtles in Senegal’s coastal waters, which are a migratory hub for five species of sea turtles. In recent years, Tomas has documented a troubling number of dead sea turtles washing up on Senegal’s beaches. Tomas shares how in addition to assessing this disturbing trend, he is trying to use the data to advocate for the reduction of sea turtle bycatch in Senegalese fisheries. He also speaks about his work with sea turtle geneticists to understand from which populations the stranded turtles are coming. Hear Lucy and Tomas share the challenges and successes they have experienced while working to study and protect these iconic and threatened species.

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New England Aquarium
Sharks in Danger: Silver Fins and a Silver Lining?

Thu, Apr 13, 2017

Shark! We hear the word, and our senses heighten with fear-inducing images of scything fins and serrated teeth. But what is the truth about these frequently vilified denizens of the deep? Join New England Aquarium scientists Mark Smith and John Mandelman for a deeper look at the shark: their cultural impact, their diversity and biology, and, in the context of marine conservation and human interactions, how we should be terming it “shark attacked” rather than “shark attack.” Finally, learn more about some of the amazing scientific and tireless advocacy work fighting to counteract the mounting conservation threats facing these majestic animals around the globe, as well as a preview of shark-related offerings in the spring lecture series, and work out of the Aquarium’s new Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life.

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Seeing Deeper into the World of the Great White Shark

Thu, May 25, 2017

Despite its well-established presence in the North Atlantic Ocean, the white shark is not considered an abundant species, and efforts to study its ecology have historically been hampered by the inability of researchers to predictably find these sharks. However, the rebounding population of gray seals off the coast of New England is drawing white sharks in greater numbers to our shoreline. Cape Cod has now become the only known aggregating site for white sharks in the North Atlantic. To take advantage of this opportunity, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries initiated a long-term white shark research program in 2009 to study the ecology and natural history of this species in the western North Atlantic. With more than 100 white sharks now tagged with sophisticated technology, Greg Skomal and his team are piecing together an incredible story of how this shark lives in the North Atlantic.

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Amazing Aquatic Athletes in the Anthropocene

Thu, May 11, 2017

Globally, coral reefs are at risk from human-induced stressors – such as ocean warming, acidification, and hypoxia – now more than at any time in recorded history. Dramatic effects on fish performance, distribution, and overall ecosystem health are predicted. While the evolutionary success of fish is credited to their adaptations to challenging environmental conditions, whether they can keep pace with the large-scale, rapid changes plaguing their habitats today is not known. Coral reef fishes may be at greater risk as they diversified during a time of relatively stable environmental conditions, and today’s rapidly changing conditions may heighten their vulnerability. Through her research, Dr. Jodie Rummer is tracking metabolic and swimming performance of fishes under climate-change relevant conditions, across development and species, and over multiple generations. This information is crucial for making predictions as to which species and/or populations may be most at risk from climate change and whether the fishes’ long evolutionary history will be enough to protect them from future changes in their habitat. Photo: Dr. Jodie Rummer

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Beach Babies – White Shark Nurseries of the Northeast Pacific

Tue, Apr 25, 2017

Coastal waters can be important feeding grounds for white sharks, particularly areas with high densities of seals and sea lions. In addition, female white sharks also visit coastal waters to give birth to their young. Baby and juvenile white sharks have been found to use shallow open beach habitats and bays as nurseries. So, what does a white shark nursery look like? Probably like your favorite beach. And, why are they there? Probably for the same reasons you are; it’s safe in shallow waters, there is plenty of easy-to-obtain food (not to worry – that doesn’t include you), and it’s warm! Just like any summer beachgoer, baby white sharks don’t like the cold, so they quickly migrate to warmer waters, following the coastline when the temperature drops. We’ve learned all this using a variety of new technology such as acoustic and satellite transmitters, autonomous underwater and aerial vehicles (spybots), and underwater camera (selfie) stations. We’ve even learned about how El Niño can change their migration behavior and how that effects public perception of sharks. Come learn what we think makes for a good white shark nursery and where we might predict the next ones to pop up.

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Sharks in Our Backyard: The resurgence of sand tiger sharks in New England

Thu, Apr 20, 2017

Despite their scary appearance, sand tiger sharks are docile ocean animals that pose no real threat to humans. Although it has a rich history in New England, this species has declined due to threats like overfishing, and was rarely observed in our region during recent decades. However, a significant number of juvenile sand tigers returned to local waters in the last five to 10 years. Come learn about the biology, conservation, and fascinating resurgence of this species in our own backyard.

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A Clam’s Eye View of Climate Change

Thu, Apr 6, 2017

The impacts of global climate change on ocean ecosystems are now pervasive. But how well do we truly understand the ways in which a shifting climate affects nonhuman organisms, and how might our anthropocentric view of the world cloud our understanding of what to expect in nature? Using a unique combination of computer modeling, field instrumentation, and virtual reality technology, Brian Helmuth gives a worldwide tour of how climate change is affecting coastal ecosystems from the perspective of marine invertebrates and explores how many of the most significant effects of global climate change can only be predicted when we step outside our biased perceptions of how weather and climate affect natural ecosystems. His results suggest that while many coastal ecosystems may be much closer to collapse than initially expected, in some cases, climate change can lead to positive responses at some locations. Discerning among these possibilities is therefore crucial if we are to find novel ways of adapting to a warmer planet.

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New England Aquarium