026 | 100 Maria del Mar Palacios: Blue carbon

Date: Friday 12 August 2022

Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Location: 100 Climate Conversations Exhibition, Level 1, Powerhouse Museum

Price: FREE - Bookings Essential as places are limited

Some coastal wetlands – known as blue carbon ecosystems – capture carbon dioxide 30 to 50 times faster than terrestrial forests. With Blue Carbon Lab, Dr Maria del mar Palacios studies how these natural carbon sinks can help mitigate climate change and support aquatic biodiversity.

See del Mar Palacios in conversation with presenter Nate Byrne, recorded live at the Powerhouse as part of 100 Climate Conversations. Entry is free, but bookings are essential as places are limited. Doors open at 2:45pm for a 3pm start. No late admittance.

100 Climate Conversations is a two-year survey of visionary Australians who are accelerating the net zero carbon revolution. To find out more and subscribe to the podcast visit 100climateconversations.com.

Dr Maria del Mar Palacios is a marine ecologist, project manager, and science communicator based at Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab. She is originally from Colombia and received her PhD from James Cook University, Queensland in 2017. She has over a decade of research experience in marine and coastal ecosystems, including blue carbon habitats such as mangroves and tidal marshes. del Mar Palacios established the award-winning Blue Carbon Citizen Science program, which has engaged 400+ corporate stakeholders in blue carbon research across Australia and New Zealand. By supporting the collection of soil carbon cores and the survey of coastal vegetation, participants are helping unravel the carbon sink capacity of coastal ecosystems and their importance for climate change mitigation.

Polymath Nate Byrne is a meteorologist, oceanographer, science communicator and former navy officer, but is perhaps most well-known for his high energy ABC News Breakfast weather broadcasts. From briefing senior military officers and hosting children’s science shows, to presenting the nation's weather in times of emergency and calm, Byrne understands the importance of engaging and climate-focused communications. He helped launch the University of Melbourne Climate Futures program and maintains a close eye on developing climate stories. While weather is his speciality, Byrne is driven to share narratives about the world and the role of climate change in shaping our future.