Marine ecosystem changes have impacts on, and consequences for, the human communities that depend on these systems, and how these human communities respond can have reciprocal impacts on marine ecosystems. Adding global climate-related changes to this equation means that building "adaptive capacity" is more vital than ever. In order to better understand all the complex issues and challenges facing marine-dependent communities, FAO is hosting and co-organizing an international symposium,
Coping with global change in marine social-ecological systems, at its headquarters in Rome, Italy 8-11 July 2008. Experts from a cross-section of scientific and social disciplines will meet to exchange information and share experiences.
FAO, Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics (GLOBEC) and European Network of Excellence for Oceans Ecosystem Analysis (EUR-OCEANS) are the primary co-sponsors and co-organizers of this event.
