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The Polar Project
in the spirit of the International Polar Year 06-07
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To much of the world, the Polar Regions are barren lands locked in ice, populated by polar
bears and the odd penguin. In truth, the Poles not only provide a wealth of research opportunities
in fields ranging from cosmology to biology, they also play a major role in regulating the global
climate. Understanding the Polar Regions is crucial to understanding global warming and its
impacts, and these fragile habitats are also the places most under threat from climate change.
The goal of our project was to learn about Polar issues and to fulfil the educational aims of
the IPY by increasing awareness of the threat of climate change in our own countries and of the
need to take action against it.
Activities
Monday:
Attended the UK Opening Ceremony of the International Polar Year at the Royal Society in
London.
An event graced by Her Royal Highness the Princess Anne, it included four captivating
scientific lectures and provided us with the opportunity to mingle with scientists, journalists and
other personalities involved with the planning of the IPY. Great networking opportunities and an
experience of great impact, in terms of hearing the clear and concise facts of global warming
direct from the horse’s mouth.
Tuesday:
Tour of the British Antarctic Survey.
A very rewarding morning to afternoon passed in the company of very affable scientists. We
were introduced to the work of the British Antarctic Survey, shown the mapping division, and also
had the opportunity to visit the ice core stores and learn about the process of drilling and
analysing the ice. Finally, we met with Jonathan Shanklin, one of the discoverers of the hole in
the ozone layer, who showed the Dobson ozone spectrometer with which the discovery was made and
explained the process of discovery. Over lunch, we discussed the issue of global warming with him
and other BAS scientists, specifically the many questions surrounding climate change still to be
answered and the gap between scientific findings and political action.
Wednesday:
Visit to the Scott Polar Research Institute Museum
A marvellous collection of polar expedition related artefacts: we saw equipment used by
Robert Scott in his mission in Antarctica. Motor sledges and Eskimo tools were also displayed.
Thursday:
Interview with Mr. Colin Challen, MP in the House of Commons.
He gave us one hour of his time, answering a wide variety of questions, ranging from the role
of politicians and education in combating climate change and the feasibility of policies such as
cap-and-trade.
Interview with Lord Parry Mitchell in the House of Lords and Tour of the House of Lords.
We debated about the improvements in the pollution policy and what the politics is capable of
doing in order to solve the problem with the Global Warming. As part of the tour in the House of
Lords we were shown the Chamber where the Lords meet to present and debate on important issues of
the day.
Other activities
Cambridge
- Sightseeing, visiting of the myriad historical college. Attend the King’s College Choir
evensong
- Meeting up with our third-years
London
- Visiting museums e.g. National Gallery, Tate Modern, places of interest e.g. Buckingham
Palace or going on attractions such as the London Eye
- Meeting up with our third-years. We had Asian food at the Hare and Tortoise.
- Meeting up with another Project Week group, Lights out!, that also took place in London.
The Aftermath
To increase awareness in Italy and in our own countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Guatemala,
Montenegro, Singapore and Sweden) about climate change, its likely impacts and actions we should
take to meet this challenge.
Actions:
- Presentations at Italian Schools
- Published articles in publications in our respective countries
This section will be updated as our plans come to fruition. Remember to check it out at a
later date!
Wanjie Lin
(Singapore)
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