Natasha Willcox and Kayla Nitzberg have an enviable commute. They take the ferry to Block Island every couple of days where they talk to people at the local library, grocery store, and visitor鈥檚 center about their attitudes toward the wind turbines being constructed within sight of the island.
As part of a summer research project, these students are helping assess factors that influence residents and tourists to support鈥攐r oppose鈥攖he nation鈥檚 first offshore wind farm.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a great opportunity to get involved in the social aspect of science,鈥� said Natasha. 鈥淓veryone鈥檚 answers are unique, making their opinions and attitudes special and important.鈥�
The project, under the direction of Assistant Professor , is conducted through the , a highly specialized environmental studies program that focuses on laws, regulations, and issues related to the ocean and coastal environment. The 911爆料 program was the first of its kind in the world, and its graduates include top officials in the Navy and Coast Guard, advisors to Congress, and leaders of state agencies and environmental organizations.
What is becoming more and more important is knowing how to conserve and manage the oceans. Marine Affairs provides the policy needed to make management decisions.
鈥淐oastal areas are the most important areas, ecologically and economically, in the world,鈥� said Professor . 鈥淪o if you鈥檙e interested in really important issues, it鈥檚 the place to be.鈥�
This summer, you’ll find other 911爆料 students at Rhode Island boat ramps, beaches, and marinas, asking locals how they feel about their interactions with those who use the state鈥檚 salt ponds. The students are also traversing the ponds in a boat with sophisticated technology to map what activities people are engaged in. Their aim is to better understand the conflicts and compatibilities among different uses of the ponds.
鈥淭he way people are using the ponds is changing, especially with the increasing number of aquaculture facilities being proposed,鈥� said Professor , who is leading the project with Professor Thompson. 鈥淪o we want to know what people are doing there now and see how it may change as environmental conditions and policies change.鈥�
For students who study Marine Affairs, there are a variety of interesting projects to engage in鈥攎ost of which have something to do with climate change. This summer some students are creating 3D visualizations of potential hurricane damage on coastal communities, while others are conducting a vulnerability assessment of the port of Providence. Other projects deal with fisheries management issues, marine protected areas, and renewable energy.
鈥淚 believe that knowing the biology of our oceans is very important, but what is becoming more and more important is knowing how to conserve and manage the oceans,鈥� Natasha said. 鈥淢arine Affairs provides the policy needed to make management decisions.鈥�