Thursday December 3rd 2015: Ocean Day at COP21
Mercator Ocean and Copernicus Marine Service will be present during COP21 to highlight the importance of sustainable oceans in climate change.
In partnernship with the Ocean & Climate platform
From 30 November to 11 December 2015, France is hosting and chairing the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This is a crucial moment, because a new international climate agreement must be signed, which will be applicable to all countries, with the goal of restricting global warming to +2°C.
The ocean plays a major role in the planet’s climate machine by storing enormous quantities of heat and redistributing it around the globe, via marine currents. But this huge and fragile environment is also the first victim of global warming: the marine ecosystems, on which human societies depend, are likely to be affected by the accelerating acidification of the ocean.
Mercator Ocean, the French ocean analysis and forecasting centre responsible for the European Union’s Copernicus Marine Service, has decided to work with its partners to raise awareness among the general public and policy makers of the importance of the ocean in the global climate machine.
Mercator Ocean will be present in the “Climate Generations” areas from 30 November to 11 December at Le Bourget, where it will be hosting debates on the importance of protecting the oceans in the fight against global warming. It will also represent the Copernicus Marine Service on a special stand.
Together with its partners, Mercator Ocean and the Copernicus Marine Service are participating in several of the events surrounding the COP21. See the calendar below:
 | COP21, Climate Generations area 30 November to 11 December 2015 - COP21 - Le Bourget Accessible to a wide audience, including both observers and negotiators, the Climate Generations areas are reserved for debating and information displays. During the event, Mercator Ocean will be hosting a stand to present the Copernicus Marine Service. Find out more |
 | Pavillon Tara 5 au 20 décembre 2015 - Paris The Tara Pavilion is organised by Tara Expedition and the Ocean & Climate Platform as an exhibition area and also for screening audiovisual presentations and holding lectures about the ocean and the climate in parallel with COP21, on the banks of the River Seine in Paris. As a member of the Ocean and Climate Platform, Mercator Ocean is participating in this awareness-raising programme by organising a series of talks. Find out more |
 | Tour de France of the "Climate Train" 6 to 25 October 2015 - All over France This imaginative travelling exhibition installed on a train and organised by the « Climate Messengers » aims to share knowledge acquired on climate change with the entire population over 19 whistle-stops. Researchers onboard the train (including an oceanographer from Mercator Ocean) help visitors understand the exhibits, and answer their questions. Find out more |
 | Climate Cafe 9 October 2015 - Cité de l'Espace (Space Museum) - Toulouse Two scientists from Mercator Ocean answer questions from the public about the ocean and the climate. |
 | European Researchers' Night 25 September 2015 - Cité de l'Espace (Space museum) - Toulouse This night-time event provides an opportunity for visitors to meet Mercator Ocean's scientists in person and find out what they do. |