Q&A After Screening of A Sea Change at Danish Film Institute-Part 5

Claire Tomkins from the Carbon War Room asks the scientists, "What changes or landmarks should we look for in the next few years?"

Dr. Tony Haymet answers that we must measure ocean chemistry changes over time. Thanks to scientist Dick Feely we can study this robotically now. Also must study marine organisms in the lab, under high-CO2 conditions, in a cooperative, shared space which any scientist can use. Must also expand modelling beyond climate and oceans to include fish. And the models that fisheries managers around the world use must be expanded to include ocean chemistry.

Dr. Vicki Fabry: "The field is going to take off. From an experimental point of view, we are now standardizing the methods that we use." Scientists are coming together internationally to publish a guide to best practices in ocean acidification research, so that it will be possible to compare data in a real way.

Dr. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg: We must look at how ocean acidification will affect creatures in the tropics. One of the things that coral reefs do is protect coastlines from wave energy. One of the questions we want to answer in the next five years is, how long does a reef last if you've not got any corals on it? You've lost the calcifiers. Does it take 500 years for that reef to disappear? Or does it take 20 years?" Hugely important vis a vis island societies, others protected by barrier reefs. They have to plan. Human communities will have major issues dealing with wave impact they're not designed for.

Dr. Andrew Dixon: "You'd like to know if there's a slightly safe upper limit above 350[ppm]. Because you're not going to see 350 for another 200 years." Scientists need to look at ability of organisms to adapt partially to cope with the stress of lower ocean pH/increased acidiity.

Claire Tomkins asks: What are the plans to distribute the film and allow students to see it?

Filmmaker Sven Huseby: Mentions US cablecast on Planet Green, Spanish and French subtitles. A Sea Change has screened in a number of festivals. Have just been asked to translate into Indonesian. Also invited to send the film to China for screening at major universities there. He and Barbara have most enjoyed showing the film to fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders. They already know what's going on. "They see themselves as part of the generation that's going to commit themselves to fixing our craziness."

Filmmaker Barbara Ettinger: As much as we love getting it to the kids, we must also put the film and the issue of ocean acidification in front of current policy makers. She asks for help: "We're doing well, but we're not doing well enough."

Brad Warren of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership moderates. Panelists: Vicki Fabry, Andrew Dixon, Tony Haymet, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, all experts on ocean acidification.

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