PUBLIC LECTURE: UWA Albany Skywest Public Lecture

Increased consumption of resources is leading to a proliferation of global environmental problems that cast doubts on the capacity of the biosphere to continue to support our well-being in the context of a growing population. Ecologists and environmental scientists are busy documenting the deterioration of land and oceans. Yet alerting society to the risks and challenges ahead has proven ineffective to curve present trends, suggesting that a different dialogue is required to engage society in acting to ensure the best possible future for humanity.

A fresh view of the research we do reveals ample opportunities to deliver solutions to these challenges. The ocean represents a largely untapped reservoir of resources and opportunities, which offer a huge potential for innovation. Realizing these opportunities into specific outcomes requires a broad interdisciplinary approach and sufficient critical mass to take the extra step from excellence in research and technology to delivering ocean-based solutions.

Professor Carlos Duarte was appointed Director of UWA’s Oceans Institute in March 2011. He is currently leading the Malaspina 2010 Expedition, a Spanish circumnavigation expedition that is sailing the world’s oceans to examine the impacts of global change on ocean ecosystems and explore their biodiversity.