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BANCROFT ARNESEN EXPLORE ARCTIC WARMING 2007 OVERVIEW
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An Historic Journey. A Call to Action.
For more than 20 years, world-renowned polar explorers and educators , Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen
have made history and inspired millions skiing and ski-sailing over ice in the extreme cold of the Arctic and
Antarctic regions. But this March, when they begin a new expedition across the Arctic Ocean, their primary goal
is not to make history, but to change the future. Bancroft and Arnesen want to use their 75-day journey to raise
awareness among kids on global warming's impact on the fragile Arctic, and in particular help young people
understand how they can help prevent further climate change.
While temperatures worldwide are increasing as a result of global warming,
they're rising twice as fast in the Arctic. Polar bears face extinction. Ice is turning to sea. Permafrost is
melting. Coastlines are eroding. Because global warming impacts the polar regions first and most dramatically,
the changes in the Arctic are a lens into what the rest of the world may experience in the future, unless changes
are made swiftly.
With "Explore Arctic Warming 2007", Bancroft (51, Scandia, Minn.) and Arnesen
(53, Oslo, Norway) will undertake a grueling 530-mile journey from Canada's Ward Hunt Island to the North Pole,
traveling on foot, towing sleds and occasionally swimming beginning during a season when the sun barely rises
above the horizon. From there, Bancroft and Arnesen will ski another two weeks to the TARA, a French research
vessel drifting in the Arctic pack ice.
As in past expeditions, they'll communicate with classrooms worldwide, only this
time with improved technology. The women will distribute daily audio messages and provide photos from the Arctic
on their Web site for teachers and students to follow, providing a rare first-hand, real-time account of the
changing Arctic. They'll report their findings directly to select classrooms via satellite phone. Bancroft, who
20 years ago became the first known woman to cross the ice to the North Pole, will have an especially unique
perspective on the changes in the Arctic that few in the world can provide. The Web site (www.bancroftarnesen.com)
will feature helpful tips for students and people of all ages to take action against global warming.
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When Bancroft and Arnesen complete their Explore Arctic Warming 2007 in mid-May and
board TARA - they will become the first all-women's expedition to travel without resupply to both the North and South Poles. Both are
familiar with such firsts. In 2001, they captivated millions of people worldwide as they fulfilled their childhood
dream and became the first women to ski across Antarctica. In 1993, Bancroft led the first women's expedition to the
South Pole and in 1994 Arnesen became the first woman to ski solo to the South Pole.
The women view Explore Arctic Warming 2007 as the culmination of their life's work
as explorers, and its timing could not be more urgent. With global warming fast changing the landscape of the Arctic
region, Bancroft and Arnesen have a profound opportunity to awaken people of all ages to the importance of taking
steps in their own lives now to protect the world's future.
FAST FACTS
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Bancroft and Arnesen will depart Canada's Ward Hunt
Island in early March, marking the beginning of International Polar Year. They expect to arrive in late April,
about 60 days later, at the North Pole. From there, they will ski to TARA, a French research vessel drifting
in the Arctic pack ice, for their return home in mid-May. |
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| How: |
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The women will travel by foot, towing sleds. They
also will bring special swim-gear to pass through bodies of water created in part by the warming climate. |
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| Conditions: |
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Often, lows can be around -70 Fahrenheit. Daytime light
is typically twilight, as the sun barely rises above the horizon for the first couple weeks. As they work North,
the sunlight increases. |
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| Route: |
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First stage is Canada's Ward Hunt Island to the North
Pole, where they will re-supply. From there, they will ski approximately two weeks to TARA, which is drifting in
the Arctic. Total distance is yet to be determined and dependent upon TARA's drift within the pack ice. With
global positioning satellite systems, individuals will be able to see the explorers' daily progress in real-time.
The proposed route of the TARA is available at
http://www.asci-ipy.de/tara_map.html. |
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| Web: |
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www.bancroftarnesen.com, which will feature a variety of
kids' activities, including:
· measuring your carbon footprint
· weekly educational themes
· weekly Net meetings with scientists
· opportunities to send messages to Bancroft and Arnesen via the website |
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