Polar Shifts: the Changing Face of Exploration by Moki Kokoris
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Polar Shifts: The Changing Face of Exploration by Moki Kokoris umankind has explored the north and south extremes of our planet Hsince the days of Pytheas, who in 325 BC is believed to have made the first at- tempts to penetrate the Arctic Circle in his search to find a source of tin. As was the case in his day, dangerous oceans and life- threatening weather conditions still fetter ex- plorers in their efforts to reach polar regions by sledge, ski, boat, and foot. It is only the explorers themselves who know what drives them, but the unanswered question remains: TENGER Is it the journey that changes man, or is it S ERRY man who changes the journey? , J Not one person who has witnessed first- OUNDATION hand the majesty of these white environs, or F who has experienced the perils and hardships TEGER S whilst getting there, remains untouched and ILL © 2008 W Global Warming-101 Ellesmere Island Expedition Team American Polar Society unmoved. A shift in consciousness occurs as There is a noticeable trend occurring, the The American Polar Society was founded Nov. 29, 1934, to band together all persons interested in polar exploration. Membership dues a result of these highly personal endeavors. potential of which will hopefully grow ex- are $15 a year ($17, foreign) and entitle members to receive The Everything changes. Orientation changes. ponentially, touching even those who cannot Polar Times twice a year. The American Polar Society is classified as a tax exempt organization under Sec 501(C)3 of the IRS Code. For As new directions are sought, others are imagine themselves enduring the conditions more information about the American Polar Society, contact Kevin L. Bjella, APS Secretary, at 1.802.295.6881 or send email to kevin. found. One compass bearing often leads to and tribulations of polar exploration prop- [email protected]. another which is even more profound and er. Today, with the aid of modern technol- FOUNDER • August Howard PRESIDENT • John C. Behrendt, Ph.D. life-altering. This is the case in both literal ogy, any man, woman or child can partici- VICE PRESIDENTS and figurative terms. pate in these expeditions vicariously. There James Collinson, Ph.D. • Jeffery C. Rubin • Robert H. Rutford, Ph.D. Exploration inspired by fascination and is so much to learn from these experiences, SECRETARY • Kevin L. Bjella TREASURER • Capt. David E. Baker individual challenge has yielded many firsts, leaving the bone-chilling winds, cracking MEMBERSHIP CHAIR• Charles Lagerbom as the long list of accomplishments in the an- sea ice, white-outs, polar bear threats and BOARD OF GOVERNORS Peter J. Anderson • Billy-Ace Penguin Baker • Col. Peter Barretta nals of the Explorers Club will reveal. It is the accompanying discomforts out of the Sheldon Bart • Charles R. Bentley, Ph.D. • Lawson Brigham, Ph.D. in the physical discovery of new places, new equation. This leaves only the message be- Richard L. Chappell, Ph.D. • Walter H. Dodd • Donn K. Haglund, Ph.D. Charles R. Kremenak, D.D.S. • Michele E. Raney, M.D. heights, depths, civilizations ancient or thus ing conveyed, its lessons to be learned, as Mrs. Edith Ronne • Jeffery C. Rubin • Robert H. Rutford, Ph.D. Ms. Lynn Tipton-Everett • Capt. W. E. West far unknown, where explorers find exhilara- the ultimate metaphorical summit to be at- tion that provides the rest of us with another tained. All we as observers need do is listen window through which to view the richness and watch as today’s explorers try to show us of our world. These days, however, there is new courses we should follow. little left to explore as a complete unknown in Will Steger is one such explorer whose the conventional sense. We now delve deeper exploration objectives have shifted from new into the subjects that have already been un- discovery to education. Today he is leading covered. This is exciting in its own ways, an entirely new type of expedition, one into The Polar Times but what may be even more significant is the the realm of environmental stewardship. His January 2009, Vol. 3, No. 14 matter of what to do with the knowledge ex- past exploits are known to many, as his feats MANAGING EDITOR: Capt. Cliff Bekkedahl, USN (Ret.) 631.267.7646 • [email protected] plorers gain, its economic benefits aside. speak for themselves. The list of his most ARCTIC CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Herbert Drury • Moki Kokoris significant dogsled expeditions includes: the [email protected] • [email protected] first dogsled journey to the North Pole with- ANTARCTIC EDITOR: Jeff Rubin About Our Front Cover 440.774.1373 • [email protected] out resupply (1986); the 1,600-mile south-to- CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Billy-Ace Penguin Baker, RMC, USN (Ret.) The Will Steger Global Warming-101 north traverse of Greenland, known to be the Peter Anderson longest unsupported dogsled expedition in Capt. Brian Shoemaker, USN (Ret.) Ellesmere Island Expedition, 2008. PRODUCTION EDITOR: Charlotte Sinclaire history (1988); the historic 3,471-mile Inter- © 2008 Will Steger Foundation, Sam 919.260.0031 • [email protected] national Trans-Antarctic Expedition, the first Branson CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 JAN 2009 The Polar Times — 3 The two most recent global-warming- focused expeditions were the one to Baffin Island in 2007 and the second to Ellesmere Island in 2008, both launched under the ap- propriately named “Global Warming 101” © 2008 W initiative. These two endeavors, with their dynamic web-based component, vivid ac- ILL S counts in archived video dispatches and sup- TEGER portive educational resource content, provid- F OUNDATION ed authentic eyewitness accounts of climate change in polar regions that will dramati- , S AM cally affect each of us and our environment. B RAN The goal was to nurture grassroots efforts S ON that lead to massive institutional reform and Will Steger technological innovation. So, it is directly from the front lines of global warming that “POLAR SHIFTS” CONT'D FROM PAGE 3 Will Steger is able to inspire, educate and AGAX dogsled traverse of Antarctica (1989-1990); empower people around the world to take ac- / S ARDY and the International Arctic Project, the first tion in finding global warming solutions. H UC L and only dogsled traverse of the Arctic Ocean What is perhaps most interesting is that © from Russia to Ellesmere Island in Canada the majority of Steger’s international team The Pax Arctica expedition, recognized as an (1995). His 45-plus years of polar travels members—young accomplished explorers official flag expedition, holding the Explorers Club flag over a crack in the Ward Hunt Island earned him many awards, themselves— Shelf among them the 2007 Life- The spot where they had are in their time Achievement Award t w e n t i e s , describes himself and his latest goal thusly: “I from National Geographic eaten their lunch only hours thereby set- am a nomad by nature. My attitude is—if you Adventure Magazine; the earlier had simply drifted ting a peer-to- don’t go, you don’t know—which at times National Geographic Soci- away right before their eyes…. peer example can be risky but more often rewarding. Travel ety’s prestigious John Oliver for their on- nourishes me. My life is privileged, and with La Gorce Medal for accom- line and iP- this blessing comes responsibility. The Pax plishments in geographic exploration, in the od-carrying audience. This new expedition Arctica Initiative was launched as a vehicle sciences and for public service to advance methodology has proven to be very effective for sharing these experiences with a large international understanding; and both the in mobilizing youth to get involved. public.” A member of the Explorers Club Lindbergh Award and Explorers Club Low- Another similar direction has been taken who has led several scientific expeditions in ell Thomas Award for his numerous polar by Luc Hardy, a French-American venture the polar regions, Luc is now also shifting his expeditions, deep understanding of the en- capitalist, entrepreneur, and adventurer who attention toward educational endeavors. vironment, and efforts to raise awareness of current environmental threats, especially cli- mate change. As a recognized authority on polar envi- ronmental issues and a ceaseless advocate for the Earth’s well-being, Steger has been invited to testify before the United States Congress, as well as act as advisor to many world leaders on issues of environmental protection. His pioneering work in adven- ture-based environmental education was pivotal as he founded the Global Center of Environmental Education at Hamline Uni- versity in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the World School for Adventure Learning at the Uni- ORTON H versity of St. Thomas in 1993. In 2006, he EN , B formed the Will Steger Foundation (WSF), with the mission of fostering leadership and OUNDATION cooperation in environmental education and F TEGER policy. The WSF uses polar expeditions to S ILL generate interest and awareness of the effects of global warming on the Arctic and Antarc- © 2008 W tic regions. Crossing meltwater with dog team 4 — The Polar Times Vol. 3, No. 14 captured just as the breakup was occurring. The spot where they had eaten their lunch only hours earlier had simply drifted away right before their eyes…. It is clear and heartening to see that through expeditions such as the ones led by both Will Steger and Luc Hardy, we are of- fered a unique view of the people and places at the tipping point of climate change. Pro- © 2008 W grams like these provide an international platform for furthering education, discus- ILL S TEGER sion, and civic engagement, as well as op- F portunities for public interaction with promi- OUNDATION nent policy makers, scientists, journalists , S and business leaders which are critical in ARA this process.