Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Point Hope Expedition-A Circumpolar Journey in the International Polar Year 2007-2008  (Farthest North-The End of Ice)

Outline
A Circumpolar Journey Farthest North: The End of Ice is a circumpolar journey to be undertaken in the International Polar Year 2007-2008 to explore the changing climate of the high Arctic and its effects on the indigenous people who have survived and thrived at the top of the world for 5,000 to 20,000 years.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
A circumpolar journey is exploring the ways in which the changing climate has already affected the icescapes and landscapes as well as the indigenous peoples’ lives and traditions. The initiative will show how Arctic ecosystems are in a state of collapse and the remaining subsistence traditions of these boreal cultures are vanishing with them.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The journey will cover the northernmost Arctic islands and provinces in every season with the indigenous people of the Arctic. The group will investigate climate crisis issues on the land and with Arctic cultures.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The project group will travel with reindeer herders and coastal hunters, and stay in villages of Arctic Alaska, Sámi (Lapland), the entire northern coast of Nunavut, North-Western Greenland, Western Siberia and Chukotka.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Arctic Coast of Alaska: 1/07 Sámi: 2/07      North-West Coast of Greenland: 3/07 Western Siberia: 4/07      Barrow to Pont Inlet, Nunavut: 6-7/07 Chukotka, Northern-Eastern Siberia: 9/07 Qaanag, Greenland: 10/07
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Helicopter, Sailboat, Dogsled, Skis, Snow shoes, Skin Boat Travelling with private fixed wing aircraft designed for aerial photography Attempting to travel to Ellsmere with scientific group.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Record the traditional ecological knowledge of Arctic peoples. Voices and images recorded will document indigenous Arctic people as they face the climate crisis.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Military support
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

The expedition is partially sponsored by the National Geographic Expeditions Council

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

The project is a new autonomous proposal taking place during the IPY.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be self-managed, free-standing activities, which will meet deadlines for radio, magazine, book and film production as well as a photography show. Throughout the year, the website (www.point-hope.com) will be regularly updated by satellite phone from the field.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project will document climate change issues and loses to individual communities as they are happening as well as the adaptive responses of the people of the far north.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Project research will include illustrating how and why Arctic people now function as “the early warming system” for global climate crisis. When an entire ecosystem collapses, everyone looses.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National Geographic is funding a portion of the project. Currently, we are involved in seeking additional support from foundation and private sources.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Ms Gretel Ehrlich
Point Hope Expedition
PO Box 621
Shutesbury, MA
01072
USA

Tel: +1 413.253.2480
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation