AEHMS 11 Concluded
Based on the input received it can be concluded that the AEHMS 11 conference was a success! The conference was interesting, multi-disciplinary and interactive with a unique collection of scientists and experts. Thanks are due to all the speakers, participants and organizers of the conference who made the event a success. We hope you will join us at the next AEHMS conference!
BACKGROUND
AEHMS 11 will commemorate the return of the Society’s flagship conference to Canada since its inaugural meeting 22 years ago at the University of Waterloo, Ontario.
The world has changed dramatically since then, including a rising public recognition of the urgent necessity for action to address concerns about ocean health and the integrity of freshwater ecosystems. With increasing acknowledgement of the impacts of climate change on ocean acidification, land and air-based discharges, or regional patterns of drought and extreme climatic events, the need for coherent programs of research addressing all aspects of the water cycle becomes more apparent.
AEHMS 11 aims to bridge the gap between scientific research, policy debates and public deliberation. Conference organizers invite contributions from scientists around the world, especially up-and-coming scientists bringing a fresh perspective, who are involved in active fundamental research. We also welcome academics and others addressing the challenges of (and technologies for) bringing the essential messages from that work into public discussion and policy networks.
Globally, support for environmental regulations and ecosystem monitoring is waning. The need for public awareness and civil society’s involvement in responding to the rising threats towards aquatic ecosystems has never been more pressing. The convening of AEHMS 11, in conjunction with CoastGIS 2013, during the University of Victoria’s 50th anniversary year offers unusual opportunities for bridging and networking.