Global Conference on Oceans, Climate and Security - May 21-23, 2012, Boston | Threats of climate change to our oceans; humans security and national security.

Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator to serve Keynote Address at the inaugural GCOCS

The GCOCS Planning Team is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Jane Lubchenco as an honored keynote speaker. Dr. Lubchenco has been the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) since 2009.

Upon acceptance of the keynote invitation to the Global Conference on Oceans, Climate and Security, Dr. Lubchenco stated, "I've always believed that the issue of climate change needs to be personalized, presented to people in 'how does this affect my life' terms. GCOCS mission of raising climate change awareness and connecting it to real, complex security problems emphasizes the importance of framing the issue in a relatable way. This conference will be a significant catalyst for talking about how climate change truly affects both the environment AND human society and I am honored to be the keynote speaker for such a valuable endeavor."

GCOCS 2012 Conference Chair, Robin Peach, stated the "engagement of Dr. Lubchenco at GCOCS illustrates the commitment of government to serve the people and ecosystems vulnerable to the threat posed at the intersection of oceans, climate and security. The world is changing around us and NOAA's commitment to helping prepare for those changes is evidenced by the addition of Dr. Lubchenco to the lineup of GCOCS."

About Dr. Jane Lubchenco
A marine ecologist and environmental scientist, she held professorships at Harvard University and Oregon State University prior to her position at NOAA. Her expertise is in oceans, biodiversity, climate change, sustainability science, coastal marine ecosystems, and interactions between the environment and humans. Dr. Lubchenco is well-known in national and international scientific arenas, having been a former president of several respected science organizations, including the International Council for Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Ecological Society of America. She was a presidential-appointee for two terms on the National Science Board, which advises the president and Congress and oversees the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Lubchenco is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences (where she worked on the National Academy of Sciences study on "Policy Implications of Global Warming"), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the Royal Society, and the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World. She has served on several commissions, including the Pew Oceans Commission, the Joint Oceans Commission Initiative, the Aspen Institute Arctic Commission, and the Council of Advisors for Google Ocean. Dr. Lubchenco is one of the "most highly cited" ecologists in the world, and eight of her publications are recognized as "Science Citation Classics."

She has received numerous awards including a MacArthur "genius" award and 14 honorary doctorates. She was named "2010 Newsmaker of the Year" by the scientific journal Nature. "I've always believed that the issue of climate change needs to be personalized, presented to people in 'how does this affect my life' terms. GCOCS mission of raising climate change awareness and connecting it to real, complex security problems emphasizes the importance of framing the issue in a relatable way. This conference will be a significant catalyst for talking about how climate change truly affects both the environment AND human society and I am honored to be the keynote speaker for such a valuable endeavor," expressed Dr. Lubchenco.

About the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA's products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America's gross domestic product. NOAA's dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it. NOAA's roots date back to 1807, when the Nation's first scientific agency, the Survey of the Coast, was established. Since then, NOAA has evolved to meet the needs of a changing country. NOAA maintains a presence in every state and has emerged as an international leader on scientific and environmental matters. NOAA's mission touches the lives of every American and we are proud of our role in protecting life and property and conserving and protecting natural resources.