The
International Polar Year Scientific Conference, held from June 8 to 12
in Oslo, brought together over 2,000 scientists from 70 countries to
share their findings.
Jointly organized by the Research Council
of Norway, International Polar Year research campaign, World
Meteorological Organization, and others, the forum sought to advance
understanding of rapid changes observed in the polar regions due to
climate change.
At the opening ceremony, His Royal Highness the
Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon commended the cooperative endeavors of the
participating scientists.
His Royal Highness the Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon (M): The
International Polar Year has been about people joining forces and
working together to solve a task that could not have been solved by any
of them alone. You should all be proud of being part of this effort.
VOICE:
Among the government dignitaries in attendance was Norwegian Minister
of Research and Higher Education Tora Aasland, who noted the
significance of studying the two regions that are highly indicative of
global warming.
Tora Aasland - Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education (F):
The timing of the International Polar Year, both fortunately and sadly
at the same time, has been very good. Climate change is a growing threat
and a challenge we must see in a global perspective.
VOICE: Also
present was His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, whose
foundation of the same name committed to further valuable polar
research. As new data from rapidly changing polar regions have so many
implications, ranging from sea level rise to damaged ecosystems,
participants sensed the urgency of communicating their findings.
Prof. Steven Chown – South African Antarctic scientist, Martha T. Muse Prize laureate (M):
In many of the areas that I’ve worked, we see huge changes in glaciers,
we see changes in temperature, we see changes in biodiversity. The
situation is critical, and we need to do something about it now; we
can’t delay.
VOICE: According to Dr. Steven Chown, who was
honored during the meeting with the Marth T. Muse Prize for his work in
Antarctica, individuals' lifestyle changes also play a vital role in the
solution.
Prof. Steven Chown (M):
We know that agricultural emissions through the growing of cattle and
other livestock are quite substantial. So I think we need to think as
individuals about how our lifestyles affect the planet we have.
VOICE:
Our appreciation all concerned and dedicated polar scientists for your
participation in this meeting. Let us heed your messages to join now and
act sustainably to save the vital polar regions and our planet.
Supreme
Master Ching Hai has often reminded of the need to prevent the danger
of warming gases especially in the polar regions, as during an interview
with The House Magazine for the September 2009 edition.
Supreme Master Ching Hai :Our planet is on a dangerous course to passing irreversible tipping points with disastrous consequences.
Like
melting of the Arctic sea ice which causes oceans to absorb more
sunlight and speeds up melting; and the melting of permafrost which in
turn releases toxic methane gas, resulting in more warming of the
atmosphere.
We can’t stop the climate change with all this
methane heating our planet and in turn heating the Arctic, yes? Heating
the South and North Poles and in turn also heating the permafrost.
All
the methane from the animals heats the ice, the ice melts and the
permafrost is exposed and melts as well. All this methane comes out
together with the animals’ methane. We can’t be saved if we still
continue with animals’ raising practice.
http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20100605062220558http://theforeigner.no/pages/news/crown-prince-opens-oslo-science-conference/http://ipy-osc.no/article/2010/1276082083.78
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