Statement on Fifth National Climate Assessment

BOSTON, MASS. (November 2023) – The New England Aquarium reacts to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, which assesses changes in the climate, its national and regional impacts, and options for reducing present and future risk. The assessment’s release comes amid news of the Biden-Harris Administration announcing $6 billion in investments to make communities across the country more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Dr. Letise LaFeir, Chief of Conservation and Stewardship at the New England Aquarium, shared the following statement:

“We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for taking much-needed steps toward mitigating climate change and its impacts. The latest National Climate Assessment highlights what the New England Aquarium sees first-hand at our home on Boston’s waterfront: An increase in the frequency of extreme weather events, rapid sea level rise, and flooding. Our scientists conducting marine research also see the impacts of climate change on ocean animals and habitats. The ocean has a vital role to play as a climate solution and can be harnessed not only to increase climate resiliency, but also to realize economic opportunities as we work to expand the blue economy. All these steps are essential to secure a livable future for all.”

ABOUT DR. LETISE LAFEIR

Dr. Letise LaFeir oversees the New England Aquarium’s Animal Care division, Conservation Learning team, Community Engagement, Conservation Policy, and the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, its scientific research institution. An expert on ocean issues and ocean policy, Dr. LaFeir came to the Aquarium from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she served as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Before her time at NOAA, she was Director of Federal Policy at Resources Legacy Fund; California Ocean Policy Manager at Monterey Bay Aquarium; Policy Analyst and later National Outreach Coordinator for NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries; and Director of Government Relations and Education Program Coordinator at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Dr. LaFeir holds a B.S. in Aquatic Biology and a B.A. in English from Brown University and a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of Delaware.

MEDIA CONTACT: Pam Bechtold Snyder, psnyder@neaq.org; 617-686-5068