In February, the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response network hosted an international conference to discuss the current research on ocean acidification, and I graphic recorded the information rich panel discussions. (I can now say I’m an amateur expert in ocean acidification!)
Our oceans absorb a huge amount of the CO2 we’re pumping into the atmosphere from vehicles, coal plants, and the oil industry… just to name a few! This continuous belch of CO2 gas acidifies our seas, devastating shellfish species in particular… and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. It’s a global issue that not only impacts marine food webs but the entire marine economy.
As a graphic recorder, I captured the panel discussions and tweeted them under the MEOPAR hashtag so those who couldn’t attend the conference could access the visuals. This really furthered the online dialogue and sparked new connections between MEOPAR and other marine science organizations.
Tweeting the graphic recordings also allowed the conference attendees (approximately 100 people) to immediately access the graphic recordings on their phones. Since the presentations were fast-paced and information dense, people could easily review the graphic recordings and glean the key points and insights. MEOPAR has since published the graphic recordings as part of a conference report-out: MEOPAR Ocean Acidification Expert Forum
It’s truly rewarding when graphic recording helps experts better understand complex information and share it with the public, especially on such a pertinent topic!
(photography by Antonio La Fauci)
