Call for bids to host the third symposium on the ocean in a high-CO2 world
The Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, and International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme are planning a third symposium on The Ocean in a High-CO2 World, to take place in 2012. The three-day symposium will focus on ocean acidification and its impacts on marine organisms, ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. It will also cover socio-economic consequences of ocean acidification, including policy and management implications.
The co-sponsors have appointed Prof. Dr. Ulf Riebesell (Germany) to serve as the chair of the planning committee and are in the process of developing the membership of the committee.
Since the first two symposia were held in France and Monaco, the third symposium will likely be held outside Europe. The co-sponsors are seeking bids to host the symposium. Bids should be submitted by 30 April 2010 and should include the following information:
- Scientists and organizations who will serve as local hosts, including the expertise of local planning committee members
- Suitability of the location to attract the world’s leading scientists, provide outreach opportunities, and link with policymakers
- Description of meeting venue and capacity of meeting space for a 3-day meeting, including one plenary room and 3-5 breakout rooms. Expected participation is between 250 and 500 people.
- Availability of accommodations at a range of costs, including the number of rooms, distance from the meeting location, and costs of sleeping rooms for high and low season
- Distance of meeting and lodging facilities from major airport(s) and cost of transportation between airport and meeting and lodging facilities
- Expected cost of meals per day
- Expected level of local support and associated funding including ability to provide meeting space, audiovisual support, and staff support at no cost to the international organisers
- Potential to raise other complementary support
- Dates when the facility is available in 2012
- Plans to minimize environmental effects of the symposium
Enquiries and bids should be emailed to Ed Urban (Ed.Urban@scor-int.org). Bids should be limited to about 10 pages. See http://www.ocean-acidification.net/ for information about previous symposia.