Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 16 October 2007 14:56
Science -
Climate
Page 1 of 3
Explorer and environmentalist, Pen Hadow, is embarking on an international scientific endeavour to predict more accurately the meltdown date of the North Pole's permanent ice cap.
Hadow (45) is leading the Vanco Arctic Survey, sponsored by UK based global virtual network operator Vanco, with the aim of capturing "the most detailed and accurate data ever recorded" on the thickness of the North Pole ice cap which floats on the Arctic Ocean.
According to the organisers, "this unique data will help scientists determine how long an ice cap will remain around the North Pole." They warn that: "Its disappearance will cause accelerated climate change, rising sea levels, and even geo-political conflicts over resources which will affect almost every region of the world."
Scientists' current predictions for the melting of the ice cap vary wildly, from 100, to just 16 years from now. The ice at the North Pole is currently decreasing at a rate of 100,000 square kilometres per year due to global warming. "If we discover the central region of the North Pole ice cap really is thinning as fast as some experts fear, this survey will provide the decisive wake-up call for political leaders everywhere to take the urgent steps needed to prepare us all for the global consequences of North Pole ice cap meltdown," said Hadow.
The Vanco Arctic Survey team - comprising Hadow, leading polar explorer Ann Daniels, and specialist Arctic photographer Martin Hartley - will set out in February 2008 on a 120 day, 2000km crossing of the ice cap in temperatures as low as minus 50ºC. The survey team will depart from Point Barrow, Alaska, pulling 'sledge-boats', and on occasions even swimming across stretches of open water, reaching the North Geographic Pole in June.
