Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of the Ocean Futures Society, and Richard Harris, science correspondent for National Public Radio, will discuss the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday, October 22, at 12 noon at the Rittenhouse Building, 1375 Pacific Avenue, in downtown Santa Cruz. The event, "UCSC Foundation Forum: A Report from the Gulf," is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and tickets can be reserved at santacruztickets.com.
The forum brings together two exceptionally well-informed observers from the front lines of the Gulf oil spill to discuss the lessons to be learned from this disaster. Harris, a UCSC alumnus and award-winning journalist, provided in-depth coverage of the spill for NPR as the events unfolded. He has continued to report on the ongoing investigations of the oil spill and its effects on Gulf ecosystems.
Cousteau, who made several trips to the Gulf with staff from his organization to investigate the impact of the oil spill, will present recent images from the Gulf of Mexico. The Ocean Futures Society is a nonprofit marine conservation and education organization that Cousteau founded in 1999 to carry on the work of his father, famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau.
Cousteau and Harris will both be honored by the UC Santa Cruz Foundation this month during the annual Founders Celebration. Cousteau will receive the Foundation Medal, which recognizes individuals of exceptionally distinguished achievement whose work and contribution to society illustrate the ideals and vision of UCSC. He will be honored for his investigation of the world's oceans.
Harris will receive the Alumni Achievement Award, presented by the UCSC Alumni Association to alumni who have rendered outstanding service to the campus, or who, through their achievement, have brought distinction to the University. Harris will be honored for his reporting on science issues for NPR.
More information on Founders Celebration 2010 is available online at ucsc.edu/founders.
