Save the Poles 2009
From 01.03.2009 to 20.06.2009 - Status: scheduled
3 poles in 1 year
© International Polar Foundation
In 2009, Eric Larsen will begin an unprecedented journey to the top, bottom and roof of the world. During a continuous 365-day period, Larsen will mount major expeditions to the summit of Mt. Everest, the South Pole and North Pole. This feat has never been completed in one year. To date, only 15 people (no Americans) in history have been to all three poles'.
The expedition's objectives are:
- Complete the first-ever expedition to Mt. Everest, the North Pole and South Pole in a continuous 365-day period.
- Promote clean energy solutions, advocate strategies for reducing carbon emissions post Kyoto 2012 and collect relevant scientific data.
- Produce a documentary film, book and educational CD-ROM that focuses on global warming, teamwork and the spirit of adventure.
- Develop a post expedition multi-media lecture series.
Mount Everest and the North and South Poles represent the harshest and most extreme environments on the planet. Yet as inhospitable as these places are to humans, they are also the areas most affected by people. By summer 2040, the Arctic Ocean will be ice-free. Recently, the 1,250 square mile Larsen B Ice Shelf collapsed off of Antarctica and disintegrated into the Southern Ocean. Snow and ice once stretched to Edmund Hillary's Everest base camp but now ends five miles above. While we are seeing the most dramatic changes in the Polar and higher altitude regions, Global Warming is an issue that affects us all.
Why the three poles ?
The polar regions of the world are home to an amazing variety of life. Seemingly desolate and vacant, these areas support vital ecosystems and are integral to regulating and maintaining world climate. The polar ice caps reflect heat energy back into space. As more ice melts, less energy is reflected creating a positive feedback loop, and melting more ice. The North and South Poles play an in important role in cooling water in the global ocean conveyor belt. Home to the polar bear and penguin, these far away places are the front lines of Global Warming. The Himalayan glaciers on the Tibetan plateau are also endangered. They contain 100 times as much ice and more than half of the drinking water for 40% of the world's population. The Save the Poles' expedition will journey to these last frozen places in attempt to tell their amazing story.
Save the Poles in the media
The epic adventure of the Save the Poles expedition provides a unique opportunity to engage the imaginations of people throughout the world via it's Web site, currently. The Web site will provide daily reports of the team's progress through audio, text and video updates sent remotely from the trail. Scientific data, sponsor information and related links will also be available. Based on previous expeditions (and previous successes) Save the Poles will generate a world-wide media buzz. Before, during and after each stage Eric (and other team members) will participate in press conferences and interviews. The expedition will enlist the aid of the Colorado-based PR firm Scream Agency to promote substantial exposure pre and post expedition.
Save the Poles - Education
Larsen will work to create an engaging and educational documentary and book about the team's adventures. The expedition will also produce an educational CD-ROM available to K-12 schools at no cost. Any scientific articles produced will also reference the expedition.
