Workshop on Communicating on Ocean Acidification

The Workshop on Communicating on Ocean Acidification provided participants with the foundations to communicate the science and impacts of ocean acidification to diverse audiences, including the general public, fellow scientists, policy makers, stakeholders, and students. The workshop was held as part of the activities under the IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative project “Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre” (OA-ICC) in cooperation with external partners.

Ocean acidification is a critical environmental issue that threatens marine life, ecosystems, and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Given the timely nature of this environmental challenge, it is crucial that all stakeholders including policy makers, industry leaders, and the public, understand the issue as well as the strategies for adaptation and mitigation. However, communicating the science and impacts of this critical environmental issue remains a challenge given the complexities of ocean carbonate chemistry and the varied biological impacts of ocean acidification. Beyond increased understanding and awareness of ocean acidification and its impacts on marine ecosystems and associated services, effective communication should aim at driving actions toward mitigation and adaptation. This requires novel and goal-oriented communication strategies.

The aim of the workshop was to share science communication theories and strategies with scientists working in the ocean acidification field (chemistry, biology, or modelling) who wish to improve their communication skills. Participants had the opportunity to engage with citizens, journalists and policy makers to better understand how science communication can be utilized with specialized audiences. By the end of the course, participants gained a better understanding of communication techniques and tools to comprehensively convey their ocean acidification research. The course also provided opportunities for participants to network with peers and engage with the broader ocean acidification community.