August 2008 – Dr. Robert Gagosian
August 2008 – Dr. Robert Gagosian, President and CEO of Ocean Leadership and the Principal Investigator for the CoML Secretariat and U.S. Program Office.
Heather Mannix: With all of the other major topics on tap this year for elections – the war in Iraq, the economy, oil prices – ocean issues aren’t exactly at the forefront of political debates. What role do you see the oceans having in the upcoming elections?
Robert Gagosian: In order to get the attention of Congress we need to be able link what the ocean community is doing to the economy and show that there is a societal benefit to ocean research. In other words, we can’t talk about what science needs, we need to talk about what society needs from science and how we can provide that. Climate change is a big issue right now, and the oceans flow right into that. For example, to effectively combat climate change, we need to be able to predict what’s happening in the atmosphere and oceans. In order to predict, we need to be able to model, for which we need data. That brings us to the need for ocean observatories. It’s a matter of making the connections for policy makers in plain language.
HM: How could the elections affect NOAA, NSF, and other major sources of funding for ocean research?
RG: Because of all the other issues that you mentioned above, it’s hard to tell which president would be more focused on the oceans. Elections tend to be a big grey area and so much can change depending on circumstances outside of the ocean and science realm. It’s clear that Senator McCain has spent quite a bit of time thinking about climate change, but that doesn’t mean that his administration will fund more research. McCain could be elected and decide to spend more money on defense and Senator Obama could get into office and decide that he needs to spend more money on social programs. But, I would hope that science would do better than with the current administration. I think it will because both of the candidates have a very different view on the climate change issue than the current administration. Although to be fair, no one predicted the September 11 attacks, and things might have been different has that not happened. So, as I said, circumstances always play a big part. This just means that it really behooves us to engage the president elect through his transition teams.
HM: What is Ocean Leadership doing to make sure that the oceans are a priority for the next President?
RG: Right now we’re working hard on producing transition documents for both of the campaigns and the next administration. We’re working with other organizations, like the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative to make sure that the ocean community presents a unified message, one that will be centered on climate change.
HM: Ok, so let’s say I’m a scientist from an ocean research institute or university visiting my congressional office. What should I say?
RG: Again, it’s about tying economics to ocean research. The difference here is that congressmen and women are very concerned about how something affects their district. So, for example, if you’re speaking to a Senator or Representative from the mid-west, explaining how ocean research can help predict extreme and long term weather is helpful because the predictability of agriculture is probably important to their district. Coastal states will be concerned with hurricane warning ability, sea level rise, and job security from the fishery industries – all issues in which ocean research plays a central role. It’s important to not simply ask for more resources – everyone needs more resources. It’s important to answer the questions “Why should this Representative care about this issue?” and “Why will their constituents care?”
HM: The Census of Marine Life after 2010 is a topic that is of particular interest to the U.S. National Committee. What do you see happening after 2010? Do you think the outcome of this election will be critical to its long term future success?
RG: If the next administration really embraces ecosystem based management and climate change, then yes, I think that this election could impact the future of the Census of Marine Life. CoML has been very visible – a real go-to program for answering questions about marine biodiversity. The international network it had created is unique, and these links need to stay intact in order for the true value of the program to continue.
HM: So, personally, beyond our work at Ocean Leadership and talking to those on Capitol Hill, what can those who care about the health of the oceans do to ensure that the ocean is healthy for future generations?
RG: You know, I think that each individual can make a difference – just look at the recent cover of Time Magazine with Nelson Mandela. He’s one person who has a made a big contribution to the world. I also think it’s the little things that add up. In my neighborhood, there are signs on the drain covers that remind people that whatever goes down the drain ends up in the Chesapeake Bay. Parents can play a huge role in our future by educating their children – taking a few moments to talk about what we get from the ocean (food, jobs, etc) and why it’s important to keep the ocean healthy. Of course, this means that the parents have to be educated about these topics too. We are a media society, so we need to do a much better job with video and T.V. to get our message out. Radio is also an overlooked source.
HM: So, this is your first summer in Washington, D.C. after moving here from Woods Hole. I think we might know the answer to this, but….which has the better summertime: Woods Hole or D.C.?
RG: <Laughs>. You know, I’m enjoying my first summer here. I think it’s because the Washington, D.C. summers have such a bad reputation, that I expect it to be hot and humid everyday. And when it’s not, like these past few weeks, I make sure to really get out and enjoy it. I also think Woods Hole is much better in the fall. I can take my kayak out on the water and there aren’t as many tourists around. So, it’s not as bad here as everyone says it is.
