News

OFI to host global climate action conference next week in Halifax

by
May 9, 2022

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA — Global leaders in science, industry, policy, and philanthropy are set to gather in Halifax next week for the Ocean Frontier 2022 climate action conference.  

Hosted by the Ocean Frontier Institute, the conference is designed to identify priorities and actions to solve the next frontier of ocean-climate challenges for global industries and policy strategy. The conference runs over four days from May 16 to May 19, 2022.

Some of the most pressing global issues will be discussed at the conference, including achieving net zero, developing sustainable food from the ocean, and protecting ocean biodiversity.

“The ocean stores hundreds of times the heat and 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere and takes up more carbon than all the rainforests combined,” says Dr. Anya Waite, Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director at the Ocean Frontier Institute.  

“And yet, this vital carbon-absorbing function remains critically under discussed and under-observed. The Ocean Frontier conference will help to change that by uniting leaders from around the world for ocean-related causes specifically,”
Waite says.

Hundreds are expected to attend, including:

  • Chief Terry Paul, Chief and CEO, Membertou
  • Minister Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
  • Premier Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • John Risley, Chairman and CEO, CFFI Ventures and Chair, Canada's Ocean Supercluster
  • Stacy Kauk, Head of Sustainability, Shopify  
  • Kristina Gjerde, J.D., Senior High Seas Advisor, IUCN's Global Marine and Polar Programm
  • Johan Lopez, Network Coordinator for the Americas, UNEP Finance Initiative

Quick Facts

  • Over the four-day conference, attendees can expect a traditional water ceremony, distinguished speakers, a poster session, and a delegate dinner.
  • COVID-19 protocols will be in effect, as outlined by Nova Scotia Public Health, including the regular cleaning by dedicated staff and the availability of hand sanitizer and face masks.
  • The Ocean Frontier Institute was established in 2016 as a partnership led by Dalhousie University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and University of Prince Edward Island.

Media Requests

For more information or to arrange media interviews, contact:

Greg Hanna
Public Relations Officer
Ocean Frontier Institute
greg.hanna@dal.ca
867-444-8850