I write this from Concepcion Chile where I have been for the last three days at a meeting of the Partnership for Observations of the Global Ocean (POGO). Whenever you get Directors of Ocean Institutes from Russia, Japan, Korea, Germany, UK, Mexico, China, US (SIO and WHOI, as well as NOAA), Chile, South Africa, Canada - all in the same
room - there assuredly is some interesting conversation. The goal of the group is to build the international partnerships to advocate the national and international entities that will organize and support - establish and sustain - an operational global ocean observing system. It is a long and slow and difficult business. Unquestionably, the most rewarding part of the three days is the opportunity for one-on-one conversations with the interesting and diverse set of Directors - some are old friends and some I am meeting for the first time.
Luckily there has been good wi-fi in the meeting room so I have been able to keep in touch through the week. It is the height of summer here - the University is on its summer break - clear blue skies, 75-80 degrees and zero humidity. It is a beautiful country. It is going to be tough to land back in New York.
Have a good weekend,
Mike