NEWS ARCHIVE
Students Hot on Climate Change
Students studying foundation degrees at Falmouth Marine School attended a ground-breaking conference focusing on climate change and the maritime environment at the Met Office in Exeter last week.
The one day conference entitled ‘A Changing Climate for Maritime Biodiversity: Linking Science to Practice' was organised to support action to help marine, coastal and estuarine biodiversity adapt to the impacts of the changing climate in the South West, by bringing together scientific evidence and examples of good adaptation practice.
On Thursday 5th November, Jo Hookey, a student on the Marine Science FdSc course, Peter Osman on Marine Leisure Management FdSc and Alex Fowler on Marine Environmental Management FdSc along with Rory MacPhee, Marine Environmental Management FdSc Course Manager, travelled to Exeter.
Although the conference was fully booked the Falmouth Marine School students were the only students present. All other delegates were from Government Agencies or scientists.
It was a very successful day, helping students develop their understanding of nature conservation in the light of warming waters as a result of global climate change. The students were all fully engaged in all the discussions with Jo raising a question which led to a discussion on the role of the sustainable city in the coastal zone.
Jo said: "I was really nervous about asking a question in front of so many important people, but everyone was very kind and agreed that the issue I raised was important to the debate. People do care about sustainable cities!"
The conference is one of a string of event students are attending and getting involved in on the lead up to the United Nations Climate Conference being held in Copenhagen on 7th December 2009.
Rory MacPhee commented: "This event was an example of how we at Falmouth Marine School challenge our students to participate in debate with industry professionals - a challenge they met with aplomb."
Students from Falmouth Marine School together with other Foundation Degree students across Cornwall College are organising ‘4C - Cornwall College Responds to Climate Change' with events taking place across Cornwall in December.
Dave Linnell OBE, Principal of Cornwall College, commented: "We pride ourselves on providing foundation degrees that give students real experience of important industry issues and activities, preparing them for a successful career in their field."
All undergraduate courses are approved by the University of Plymouth.
