The Ocean and Our Climate: NOC hosts World Ocean Day Reception at House of Commons

On Wednesday 7th June 2023, the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) hosted a reception for World Ocean Day, focused on The Ocean and Our Climate.

The event was held in the Churchill Room in the House of Commons and provided an opportunity for knowledge sharing and networking for the parliamentarians, marine scientists, and industry and government stakeholders in attendance.

The SMMI’s Bob Marsh , Professor of Oceanography and Climate at the School of Ocean and Earth Science, joined the event. He spoke with a variety of NOC/scientist colleagues, and with others from government and industry and shared his reflections. “There was a general emphasis on growing awareness of the importance of the ocean, from both environmental and socioeconomic perspectives. One conversation with an industrialist (Dr Marco Filippone, Solution Director Hydrography, Fugro) impressed on me the speed and scale of growth in their transition from Oil & Gas to renewables, and the prospects for more engagement with universities around all this (especially data/technology).”

Representing the APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) for the Ocean (launched 25 May 2022), the event was addressed by Chair Sally-Ann Hart (MP, Hastings & Rye) and fellow APPG member, Chi Onwurah (MP, Newcastle upon Tyne Central). They both noted the importance of the sea to their coastal constituencies, and the greater importance of the ocean to our world.