Coinciding with Capitol Hill Oceans Week, sponsored by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, CIOCS executive co-chairs, College of Science and Mathematics Dean Andrew Grosovsky and McCormack Graduate School for Policy Studies Dean Steve Crosby, and CIOCS Executive Director Robbin Peach met with legislative representatives from the offices of Congressmen Lynch and Delahunt and Senator Kerry, in Washington DC on June 9th. The CIOCS team presented an overview of the Institute and it’s vital role in preparing Massachusetts for one of our nation’s most imminent, yet least understood, problems: the human and national security implications of our rapidly changing climate on marine ecosystems and economies. The meetings were well received and the offices look forward to working with us. 

In addition to attending the Capitol Hill Oceans Week events and meeting with Massachussetts Congressional Delegates’ offices, members of CIOCS’ Council of Advisors also attended their first informal meeting. Speaking to the question "what is our main objective," Advisors, Steering Committee members, representatives from our Signature Collaborator  Battelle, and current and future UMass Boston faculty offered their expertise on the interlocking issues of oceans, climate, and security. As Council of Advisors member Fred Byus expressed, "There are inflection points in history when ‘new’ thinking is required to allow human kind to evolve and adapt– Now is one of those times."

Following the Council of Advisors meeting, collaborators, Congressional staffers, and others from the marine policy world joined the group for an evening reception on the roof of the UMass Office of Federal Relations.  With the dome of the Capitol and the Washington Memorial in the background, the Collaborative Institute ended its inaugural trip to DC with greater understanding of the work ahead. 

To view images from the Council of Advisors Meeting and Reception, visit our Flickr site at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ciocs/

 

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