Ocean Conservancy Participates in Capitol Hill Ocean Week

Energy policy and ocean planning panels tap Ocean Conservancy expertise

What: Capitol Hill Ocean Week Panels:

"Fueling the Future: The Ocean's Role in a Comprehensive Energy Policy": Dennis Kelso, executive vice president with Ocean Conservancy will be moderating the panel, which is sponsored by Ocean Conservancy. Ocean Conservancy Senior Advisor for Government Affairs, Sandra Whitehouse, will participate on the panel.

When: Wednesday, June 10th from 2:30pm 4:30pm

Matt Tinning, legislative director with Ocean Conservancy, will be on the panel for "Marine Spatial Planning: The Science, Business, and Policy Case," sponsored by the Center for Ocean Solutions.

When: Thursday, June 11th from 2:30pm 4:30pm

Where: Reserve Officers Association
Fifth Floor
One Constitution Avenue, N.E.
Washington, D.C.

Background: The theme of this year's Capitol Hill Ocean Week is "The BLUE Economy: Understanding the Ocean's Role in Our Nation's Financial Future". The symposium makes a connection between our ocean and economic health.
 
According to Dennis Kelso, "over 50 percent of our GDP is generated in coastal counties. If we are to realize the full benefit of our oceans, if they are to continue to provide us with opportunities for economic development, it must be done in a way that is planned, using marine spatial planning, which takes into consideration the health of the environment. Otherwise, we will merely reap short term gains at the expense of our children."

For a full schedule and complete list of panel participants, visit http://nmsf.uvisionconsulting.com/capitol-hill-ocean-week-2009

Ocean Conservancy is the world's foremost advocate for the oceans. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in New England, Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific, with support from more than half a million members and volunteers.