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Arctic Basecamp brings Polar science and climate change to world leaders in Davos

Arctic scientists brought the polar research to world leaders in Davos, with an event held parallel to the World Economic Forum. Arctic Basecamp saw scientists Jeremy Wilkinson, from the British Antarctic Survey, and Gail Whiteman, from Lancaster University, recreate (and sleep in) an Arctic fieldwork basecamp at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in Davos. The event also included speeches and talks by leading climate and polar experts from both science and policy, including keynotes from former UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres and former US Vice President Al Gore. The event highlighted the ongoing impacts of climate change in the polar regions, and emphasised the need for continued research and urgent international climate action to avoid devastating impacts.

Speaking at Arctic Basecamp in Davos, Prof. Konrad Steffen, Director of WSL, said “The Polar Regions, as well as Alpine regions, will experience two to three times the mean level of global warming predicted for the future. We need to act swiftly to delay, or prevent, the loss of the ice masses in the mountains and the shrinking of the two polar ice sheets which will lead to unsustainable sea level rises.”

For more information, visit http://www.ice-arc.eu/2017/01/18/leading-scientists-gather-at-davos-with-al-gore-and-christiana-figueres-for-urgent-meeting-on-arctic-change/.