Dr. Robert Richmond was recently in Washington, DC on an invitation to present a brief to the US Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources staff on the extensive coral bleaching that is occurring across the Pacific.

The briefing, The On-Going, Longest and Most Extensive Global Coral Bleaching Event: Causes, Impacts, and Responses, included presentations by Dr. C. Mark Eakin, NOAA Coral Reef Watch Coordinator, and Dr. Robert Richmond, Research Professor and Director of Kewalo Marine Lab. The Committee has responsibility over the Freely Associated States (Palau, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia) under the Compacts of Free Association, and seeks to better understand the impacts of coral bleaching on these island communities and needed responses.

Over 25 staff members attended, including those from Senator Schatz's and Senator Hirono's offices.