During my recent trip to San Francisco to meet with potential sponsors and partners I visited the Aquarium of the Bay which is a key part of the San Francisco Pier 39 waterfront tourism precinct. My visit was hosted by Carrie Chen who is the Education Manager for the Aquarium of the Bay and who has been a key member of the team working with us to implement the follow up from the National Aquaria and Climate Change Summit held in Monterey in December 2008 (http://209.232.236.13/climatechangesummit/). 
The Aquarium of the Bay has a most interesting history and recently, under the auspices of the Bay Institute, transitioned from a commercial aquarium to a non-profit facility with full 501 (3) (c) status (see http://thebayinstitute.blogspot.com/2009/06/its-official-tbi-has-acquired-aquarium.html).
The Aquarium of the Bay recently opened a new 1200 square feet climate change exhibit known as the PG+E Lab (see http://www.aquariumofthebay.org/%20pgelab.aspx?n=424904) which incorporated many of the messaging and design principles enunciated at the Monterey Summit.
The Aquarium of the Bay recently opened a new 1200 square feet climate change exhibit known as the PG+E Lab (see http://www.aquariumofthebay.org/%20pgelab.aspx?n=424904) which incorporated many of the messaging and design principles enunciated at the Monterey Summit. It was really cool to see the creative way in which the Aquarium design and education teams have taken those ideas from concept to reality. 
The exhibit is an impressive fusion of simple, easy-to-engage and understand elements that are very “kid friendly” and some sophisticated messaging about energy use and climate impacts. The exhibit operates on many levels. From the innovative use of charismatic land animals like chinchillas and tree frogs to explain climate impacts on animals to purpose-built interactive software that enables users to better understand their energy consumption choices and impacts, the exhibit demonstrates how aquaria can (and should) better engage the public in understanding the many facets of change in our oceans.
The exhibit is an impressive fusion of simple, easy-to-engage and understand elements that are very “kid friendly” and some sophisticated messaging about energy use and climate impacts. The exhibit operates on many levels. From the innovative use of charismatic land animals like chinchillas and tree frogs to explain climate impacts on animals to purpose-built interactive software that enables users to better understand their energy consumption choices and impacts, the exhibit demonstrates how aquaria can (and should) better engage the public in understanding the many facets of change in our oceans.
I encourage all staff and members to visit the Aquarium and particularly this exhibit next time you are in the bay area – as we move forward with plans to develop our own climate change and oceans exhibit, we’d welcome your thoughts on what that should look like and how we can enable public understanding of this complex issue.
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