Biography Abstract
Prof. Dr. Fabio Trincardi, Director of the Department of Earth System Sciences and Environmental Technologies of CNR, Rome
Director of the Department of Earth System Sciences and Environmental Technologies of CNR, Rome, since June 2017 after directing for 8 years the Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR) in Venice. Marine geologist studying continental margins, from the shore to the abyss and from mid-latitudes to polar regions, including geohazards; and the evolution of marine and coastal systems (deltas and lagoons) in the Anthropocene (the current geological epoch when humans are the dominant agent of transformation at planetary scale). Participant to numerous EU projects acting as coordinator of Bluemed, Eurodelta and several projects on the geological mapping of Italian seas, blue economy (RITMARE), and sedimentological modeling and marine geohazard (also funded by Industry: EXXON, ENI, Shell, Snamprogetti, Edison). Wrote about 200 articles and served on the boards of Geology, Marine Geology and Geo-Marine Letters. Held a course on Marine Geology at the University of Bologna advising PhD students in Bologna and other European Universities.
Abstract of the Lecture
Sustainable blue economy in Europe and in the Mediterranean basin: basics, environmental and economical relevance and challenges
The ocean produces prominent biological and inorganic resources and ensures ecosystem services indispensable for human life. It also produces 30% of the oxygen contained in the atmosphere, absorbs CO2, stores a significant part of the temperature increase linked to the use of fossil fuels and, unfortunately, acts as a huge garbage bin for chemicals, plastics, etc. Creating a blue economy in this context requires 1. avoiding further damage to this fundamental ecosystem, 2. reducing the consequences of past anthropogenic impacts, and 3. understanding the natural risk scenarios that can adversely affect infrastructures functionalities with economic and environmental consequences.
After a brief introduction about the limits to growth, the Great Acceleration of the post-World War II period, and the Anthropocene, the presentation will focus on the growth of the sea-related economy and its main drivers in the Mediterranean area. The presentation will then focus on the impacts of natural hazards, climate crisis, acidification, sea level rise, biodiversity loss and possible sudden changes in ocean circulation on the ocean productivity and economics.