The expedition, which has taken more than two years to plan, is
part of Greenpeace’s Project Thin Ice – a campaign to expose the
ramifications of global warming. Greenpeace released the first
images of the expedition today as the explorers began the first
stages of this four-month trek.
“The idea for this expedition came when I was circumnavigating
Greenland and a map showed two glaciers that should have been there
but no longer were. What should have been a solid ice pack had
disappeared,” said Lonnie Dupre, expedition leader. “I knew then
that I wanted to embark on an expedition to show the world the
dangers of global warming.”
As the explorers cross the ice, Greenpeace will be in Greenland
with the ship Arctic Sunrise, hosting scientists and documenting
the effects of global warming in the region, before retrieving the
explorers at the finish.
“Global warming is happening now, not in some distant future and
2005 will be a critical year for enforcing solutions,” said Melanie
Duchin,Greenpeace Climate Campaigner, who will be onboard the Arctic Sunrise in
Greenland. “We hope that every mile these explorers travel will
empower people around the world to take action against global
warming.”
As the explorers cross the ice, visitors to www.projectthinice.org
will be able to follow their journey, see updates and find out ways
to take action against global warming. Project Thin Ice will also
include Greenpeace’s work to bring the United States’ first
offshore wind power facility online and unprecedented climate
litigation.
“I consider myself an average person and I have come to realize
that average people can do great things,” said Eric Larsen,
expedition team member. “Our world is a fragile place, and it needs
to be protected for all the average people – explorers, activists
and everyone else still to come.”
Please note that Greenpeace will try to faciliate interviews
from the ice for media. Requests must be made at least one week in
advance and due to the nature of the expedition availability will
be limited.
Other contacts: Carol Gregory 202-319-2472; 202-413-8531 (cell)
Susan Cavanagh +31 621 29 6910
Exp. contact date: 2005-05-11 00:00:00
