Live webcast of the Final Presentation in MIT subject 12.000 - Solving Complex Problems is on:

Solving Complex Problems (12.000) is designed to provide students the opportunity to work as part of a team to propose solutions to a complex problem requiring an interdisciplinary approach. For the students of the class of 2011, 12.000 or Mission 2011, revolves around the issues associated with the long-term future of our marine ecosystems and fisheries.

Project website developed by students in Mission 2011: http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2011/finalwebsite/

The challenge
Fish provide roughly 40 percent of the protein consumed by nearly two-thirds of the world's population. Global population growth and improved fishing technology are placing unprecedented pressure on the world’s ocean resources. Global marine fish production increased from 19 million tons in 1950 to about 80 million tons in the mid-1980s where it has remained. Chronic overfishing – combined with introduced species and massive pollution – have upset ecological balance, destroyed habitats, and created large "dead zones." When projections of global warming and climate change are added to the mix, it is clear we are in severe crisis. A global plan to save the oceans and the fisheries is long overdue and essential for the planet. The students' task is to develop this plan – the future of the planet hangs in the balance.

To tackle this issue, the students were divided into ten teams and have had the coaching of upperclassmen, the mentoring of MIT alumni/ae and experts from around the U.S. and abroad, and contact with MIT faculty.

The presentations
Students in 12.000 are responsible for articulating their plan during a one-hour presentation in front of a panel of experts, followed by a question and answer session.

About the course
The course is taught by Prof. Sam Bowring (EAPS) and Prof. Rafael Bras (Civil and Environmental Engineering). To learn more about the the course, visit MIT subject 12.000 - Mission2011: Our Oceans - Can We Save Them. This course is a required subject for freshmen in the Terrascope program (http://web.mit.edu/terrascope/)