Dr. Humberto González will participate in the most important international environmental plenary conference in this sector, which will bring together more than 25,000 people.
Dr. Gonzalez’ first research in Antarctica took place 30 years ago. At that time he concentrated on the study of carbon flows toward the sea floor in high latitude systems.
Lorenzo Palma, IDEAL Center. Dr. Humberto González, director of the Center of Dynamic Investigation of Marine Ecosystems of High Latitudes (IDEAL) and faculty member at the Austral University of Chile (UACh), will be one of nine Chilean scientists who will lead the work committees of the World Summit of Environment 2019 (COP25).
The COP25 is the largest global conference in its class, bringing together more than 25 thousand people from 196 countries. It will be held between December 2 and 13 in Chile, in the Cerrillos Bicentennial Park. Dr. Gonzalez, with extensive experience in marine ecosystems, will be in charge of the Antarctic science committee.
“I received the news with humility and great joy, because this is in recognition of a long path, of the work of so many years. This is a great challenge, a tremendous responsibility and an area where there is so much to do, ” said the researcher.
The objectives of the convention include establishing criteria for compliance with the Paris Agreement and improving the load reduction goals among the participating countries. From this perspective, Dr. González reminds us that one transcendental topic that must be addressed is the matter of fresh water.
This is a national problem as well as an Antarctic issue. When one observes the tremendous drought in central-northern Chile, the decrease in rainfall in the southern zone, the retreat of glaciers and their loss of ice mass, we see that there is a common denominator, and that is fresh water,” he explained.
In a presentation given by scientists leading this international conference, the Environment Minister, Carolina Schmidt, said that “hosting the COP25 represents a huge challenge for the country, since this has become the largest international event organized by Chile since the 1962 Soccer World Cup, but this is an unmatched opportunity for advancing decisively in sustainable development. Climate action to mitigate and adapt to climate change is key to achieving the comprehensive development that we want. “
Dr. González reminds us that one transcendental topic that must be addressed is the matter of fresh water.
Extensive Career
Dr. Gonzalez’ first research in Antarctica took place 30 years ago. At that time he concentrated on the study of carbon flows toward the sea floor in high latitude systems.
After that, the oceanographer continued studies in the northern part of the country. He spent two years in Antofagasta, then in the central zone and, finally, the last 15 years of his career have been focused on the south-austral zone of Chile, in Chilean Patagonia and Antarctica.
Today, in addition to his work as a UACh faculty member, Dr. Gonzalez leads the main Chilean research center for Antarctic and sub-Antarctic marine ecosystems in the country.