Los océanos 500 años después (Instituto Cervantes)

The Instituto Cervantes Utrecht is glad to invite you to a panel discussion to reflect over the evolution of our oceans, taking as a starting point the discovery of the seas to make a comparison of the current condition and destruction they have suffered, as well as the work of science and the value of knowledge of the history as a weapon for the conservation of our planet.

Aspects such as threats to marine biodiversity will be addressed, along with the adverse effects on climate change and health due to the impact of human actions on ecology, and the importance of smart management of waste. The physical, chemical, biological, and geological effects that explain the current state of the oceans will be reviewed.

It will be an opportunity to highlight instruments and actions that must urgently be implemented, such as the creation of an adequate international network of marine reserves, which would allow future generations to enjoy the oceans.

The experts that will guide us through this topical conversation over the oceans are Iris Hendriks and Jack Middelburh. Ms Hendriks has a degree in marine biology and a PhD in Mathematics and Natural Sciences from the University of Groningen. She is currently part of the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA). Mr Middelburg instead is the head of the department of geosciences and earth sciences at Utrecht University. In 2020 he has been recognized as a member of the European Academy of Sciences.

The colloquium will be moderated by Laura Villanueva, marine microbiologist and biogeochemist at “NIOZ” The Royal Dutch Institute for Marine Research. The event will be freely accessible online on the Institute’s YouTube channel on June 3 @17:00.