Climate change is upon us. David King even famously described it as "the most severe problem that we are facing today, more serious even than the threat of terrorism". So after the Economic doom and gloom of the Stern report, can there really be an upside to climate change in the Arctic?
Global warming is amplified in the Arctic region. In the past few decades average temperatures in the Arctic have risen at almost twice the rate as the rest of the world. Indigenous peoples are under pressure and ecosystems are threatened. But Arctic climate change is also likely to open new sea routes across the top of Siberia. The
melting ice will allow access to new gas and oil resources, expand the fisheries industry and perhaps even stimulate increased biomass growth which may in fact help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
These issues are under the spotlight at the end of October when senior members of a range of sectors, including oil and gas, shipping, defence, fisheries, tourism, environment and policy meet in London to look to the future of the region.
This Arctic Workshop, organised by The Institute of Marine Engineering Science and
Technology (IMarEST), will see over a hundred key decision makers debating the future of this the resource rich and strategically important area of the planet.
This briefing will give you the opportunity to question some of the key people in this field.
Media Briefing Panel and today's presentations: Arctic Workshop Challenges
Welcome and Introduction, Keith Read, IMarEST
"Today's Arctic Workshop is critically timed as the nature of Global Warming and its impact not only on the environment but its economic consequences are hitting the headlines. The publication of the Stern review provides the backdrop for the workshop and the outcomes of today's discussions from key experts across the science, policy, industry, defence and shipping in the Arctic region will add an urgency to the debate and need for action".
Arctic Science Presentation
Professor Ola Johanassen, Founding Director of the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center
Arctic Policy Presentation
Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency
Industry View Presentation
Graham Thomas, BP
The Arctic Shipping Assessment Presentation
Lawson Brigham, US Arctic Research Commission
Defence Presentation
Commander Phil Titterton, RN
Press Presentation
Professor Graham Shimmield Director Scottish Association for Marine Science
Press Presentation
Professor Peter Wadhams, Professor of Ocean Physics, University of Cambridge.
Industry Workshops
Dr Ralph Rayner, Chairman of the Marine Information Alliance and Vice President of IMarEST " An analysis of the outcomes of the Arctic Workshop will permit us to start to better define the needs for long-term monitoring of the Arctic region," explains Dr Ralph Rayner. "This long-term monitoring must satisfy the needs of all stakeholders concerned with protecting the environment, informing sound policy and ensuring that Arctic operations can be conducted safely."
Arctic Film Showing: some of these films will be available to the press on request
- Svalbard- Arctic Seasons
This stunning film, originally made in 70 mm, has been transcribed to DVD especially for the Arctic Workshop. This is the film’s UK premier. The film features the wildlife, spectacular nature and human activities of the archipelago known as Svalbard, which lies to the north of Scandinavia. Svalbard is also called the land of contrasts: the dark, frigid winter, lit only by the northern lights, is followed by long summer days with midnight sun and a burst of wildlife, including birds, reindeer, and walrus. The journey through the artic seasons also features the life of trappers and scientists in the kingdom of the polar bear. Using light but solid camera equipment and local guides, the small film crew reached remote and unique locations: from the sheer cliffs of the teeming rookeries to the underwater world of seals and icebergs. The rugged mountains, with massive glaciers plunging into the fjords, were filmed from air. WINNER: Best Cinematography (Hans Kristian Bukholm) 20th International Tourist Film Festival Milan 1996
- The Arctic Challenge
The East Greenlandic summer is a miraculous combination of almost 24 hours of daylight, huge icebergs, vast glaciers, monumental mountains and crystal clear air. This is the home of The Arctic Team Challenge and this film tells the story.
Every summer Ammassalik Island hosts one of the worlds most remarkable adventure races - The Arctic team challenge. In the 5-day multisport event 4-person teams navigate a distance of 250 km and 9000+ vertical meters in the very heart of East Greenland’s stunning nature. Billed as the ultimate test of human and endurance and survival skills the race involves Mountain Biking , Mountain Trekking, Glacier Trekking, Ice Fjord Paddling
Art From A Changing Arctic: Cape Farewell Film
Edited from over 200 hours of footage, this 60-minute film documents the Cape Farewell expeditions, which took world renowned artists and climate scientists into the High Arctic. Witness the artists’ response to the harsh environment and their take on the very visible impacts of climate change on the extraordinary yet vulnerable Arctic landscape.
Art From A Changing Arctic was shown as part of Climate Chaos - a major season of BBC programmes on the science behind and issues surrounding climate change. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker. David Hinton and produced by David Buckland.
Press Releases
Focussing on the Arctic - 31st October 2006
Strong Messages from Speakers at Forthcoming Arctic Seminar - 2 October 2006
The Arctic in the Spotlight - calling all key players - 30 August 2006
Further information, speakers comments and contact details, press interviews, photographs, presentations and press releases, can be obtained from contacting us:
Contacts:
Suki Kalsi
Head of Corporate Marketing & PR
IMarEST
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7382 2600
Email: suki.kalsi@imarest.org
Judith Patten
IMarEST Press Officer, JPPR
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8241 1912
Email: judithpatten@wwmail.co.uk
Lyndal Gully
Engineering Press Officer
Tel: +44 (0)20 7670 2949
Email: lgully@ri.ac.uk
Science Media Centre
21 Albemarle Street
London W1S 4BS
www.sciencemediacentre.org
IMarEST Marine Voices: views expressed are not those of the IMarEST. The IMarEST provides the platform of opportunity for professionals to discuss and exchange ideas and practices, and promotes the scientific development of marine engineering, science and technology. IMarEST supports International Polar Year 2007
Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change
The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change will be published on Monday 30th October 2006. Sir Nicholas Stern will be presenting the conclusions at the Royal Society. www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/
