This fall at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Aquatic Academy you can learn about the local ports, the environmental impacts of the shipping industry, and how the ports are addressing sustainability. Ports drive economic growth and are considered an essential feature of today’s world, bringing us food and goods, providing thousands of jobs, and fueling the economy. The downside is goods movement can impact local air and water quality, in addition to adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Ports can also be the scene of supply chain bottlenecks, as seen in the recent record numbers of ships off the coast waiting to dock.

Participants in this two-part course will hear from experts and have the opportunity to ask questions. The speakers and topics include:

November 10

• Dr. James A. Fawcett, Director, Marine Science & Policy Outreach, USC Sea Grant Program, University of Southern California
• Capt. J. Kipling “Kip” Louttit, Executive Director, Marine Exchange of Southern California

Port History, Operations and Economics:

• A history of the Southern California Ports: Why do we have two side-by-side ports?
• Port Operations and Marine Traffic Control: How do vessels move through our harbor?
• Cargo, Trucks and Rails – How are containers transported to and from marine terminals?
• What are the economic impacts of ports on our community?
• How have ports have been impacted by COVID-19?
• What is behind the traffic jam of ships waiting to unload their goods in Long Beach?

November 17

• Matthew Arms, Director, Environmental Planning, Port of Long Beach
• James Vernon, Assistant Director of Environmental Planning, Port of Long Beach

Greening The Port of Long Beach:

• What is the Clean Air Action Plan and why does it matter?
• What technologies are on the horizon to reduce impacts of port operations on the environment?
• How is the Port of Long Beach working to improve water quality and protect wildlife and habitat?
• What is the Port doing to protect against sea level rise and climate change?