18: They Are Really Important

Scientists communicate findings in many different ways. When the information gathered points to a particularly dire situation, they may issue a warning to humanity. Forty-two scientists recently co-authored such a warning of rapid degradation of the world's large lakes. In the paper, they summarize threats observed across the globe, what these may mean for the systems humans and wildlife depend on, and how humans can help. In this episode of Teach Me About the Great Lakes, Stuart Carlton and Carolyn Foley speak with one of the study's co-authors, Dr. Maria Dittich, an associate professor of environmental science at the University of Toronto Scarborough. They discuss what the issues are, how humans can help, and how this paper came together.

Follow Maria on Twitter!Copy of the paper "Scientists' Warning to Humanity: Rapid degradation of the world's large lakes" https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0380133020300988 History of the World Scientists' WarningsMaria Dittrich Biogeochemistry Lab at the University of Toronto: https://mdbiogeochemistry.com/ Information about ELLS-IAGLR Conferences http://iaglr.org/ells-iaglr/ Lessons related to Great Lakes weather and climate https://www.cgll.org/?sfid=6278&_sft_great-lakes-literacy-principle=3-influence-on-weather-and-climateIAGLR Large Lakes of the World factsheetLessons related to Great Lakes stressors being interconnected https://www.cgll.org/?sfid=6278Lake Ontario https://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/lake-ontario#about Lake Constance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_ConstanceTo participate in beach cleanups:https://greatlakes.org/get-involved/adopt-a-beach/https://greatlakesbeachsweep.org/https://www.sheddaquarium.org/care-and-conservation/take-action-for-animals/shedd-aquarium-action-dayshttps://www.shorelinecleanup.ca/Bagels on Fire https://www.yelp.com/biz/bagels-on-fire-torontoThe Beaches https://www.seetorontonow.com/explore-toronto/neighbourhoods/the-beaches/ Video of a PONAR Grab Sampler on the RV Lake Guardian

Credits:
Host & Executive Producer: Stuart Carlton
Co-host: Carolyn Foley
Producers: Hope Charters, Carolyn Foley, Megan Gunn, & Irene Miles
Associate Producer: Ethan Chitty
Music by: Stuart Carlton