Aquarium Video Presentations

Daniel Botkin is a scientist who studies life from a planetary perspective. He writes about nature, and is one of the world’s leading researchers who has helped solve major environmental issues. Dr. Botkin is a research professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology at the University of California Santa Barbara and president of The Center for the Study of the Environment. For 39 years, as a Ph. D. ecologist, Botkin has tried to understand life on the Earth. He has studied moose in the far north, elephants in Africa, bowhead whales in the northern ocean, and forests in North and Central America. Botkin has worked as a professional journalist and has degrees in physics, biology, and literature.

Dr. Margaret Leinen is the Chief Science Officer of Climos, Inc., a company leveraging natural processes to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Between 2000 and 2007, Dr. Leinen managed the Geosciences Directorate, the second largest at NSF, that funds the majority of new publicly funded research initiatives in ocean, atmospheric and earth science in the United States. Before going to the National Science Foundation, Dr. Leinen was Dean, Graduate School of Oceanography and Vice Provost for Marine and Environmental Programs at the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Leinen is also a well-known researcher in paleo-oceanography and paleo-climatology.

Lynne Cherry is a conservationist and the author and/or illustrator of over 30 award winning books that teach children to respect Planet Earth, help them learn how they can make a difference in the world they will inherit, and motivate them to act. Gary Braasch, a recipient of the Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography, is a nature-photojournalist who connects with the natural world through his photographs of environmental issues and conservation, nature, biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate change.

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA), under the direction of Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret), is charged with analyzing and predicting the nation’s climate and weather now and into the future. Admiral Lautenbacher explains how NOAA agencies are responding to the need to help society understand, plan for, and respond to climate variability and change.

Tom Bowman is one of the premier interpreters of global warming science, impacts, and solutions. Tom led the design teams that created hands-on climate exhibitions for the Marian Koshland Science Museum, the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, CA. Policymakers and the design press have acknowledged these award-winning exhibitions for bringing balanced, authentic science to the public in engaging ways.

As the director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate, Air, and Energy Program, Siegel is well versed in the effects of global warming.