Arctic Explorer coming to CCCC

Man who attempted the first crossing of the Arctic Ocean to speak Sept. 6
Will Discuss Harrowing Experiences and Support for Cape Cod Wind Farm

WHO: World-renowned Arctic Explorer, Lonnie Dupre, who recently risked life and limb attempting the first summer crossing of the Arctic Ocean in order to highlight the dangers of global warming.

Lonnie Dupre proved the extent of global warming by kayaking across much of the polar ice cap from Siberia to Canada. Click on Lonnie to see him on an ice floe urging efforst to save the endangered Polar Bears.

Dupre and his companion sledge across the arctic. Click to see Greenpeace original.

The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise will visit here next week. Click to see original.

WHAT:  Dupre will speak at Cape Cod Community College about his recent attempt at the first summer crossing of the Arctic Ocean to highlight the dangers of global warming.

WHEN:  September 6 (Tuesday) 6:30-7:30 p.m. (EST). The talk is free and open to the public. 

His adventure, which started on May 12, 2005 quickly turned into a life threatening crisis as Dupre and expedition team member, Eric Larsen faced aggressive polar bears, unusual heavy snows and drifts that had them going backwards instead of towards the North Pole. The team had to finally be airlifted out but will try again in 2006. (Click on the photos to see the Greenpeace originals by Steve Morgan.)

Dupre will also discuss why he fully supports the proposed Cape Cod wind farm. 

Lonnie Dupre’s Arctic Crossing was part of Greenpeace’s global campaign to combat global warming entitled, Project Thin Ice—Going the Distance to Stop Global Warming. In addition to the expedition, Greenpeace’s ship, the Arctic Sunrise travelled to Greenland to document global warming impacts.

Dupre, 44, and Eric Larsen, 34 of Grand Marais, MN, attempted the first summer crossing of the Arctic Ocean in May to highlight the dangers of global warming. Working with Greenpeace, a nonprofit organization focused on solving environmental problems. They left Siberia for the North Pole on May 12 with two canoe-sleds. But their expedition was cut short because of heavy rainfall and other conditions they did not expect until mid-July.

When temperatures reached 40 degrees, the breaking ice and strong currents made it difficult to walk, paddle, or ski. They might travel eight to 12 miles when the cnditions were perfect, but while they slept the drifting ice carried them back to where they began the previous day. They were regularly harrassed by Polar Bears as well.

Arctic Sunrise visiting New England ports

The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise is currently en route to the East Coast of the United States where Greenpeace will be promoting solutions to global warming including proposed wind farms in Cape Cod, and Long Island. Ship stops include Boston, Hyannis, Provincetown, Nantucket, Woods Hole, New York, Long Island and Miami.

By documenting the shrinking polar ice cap, they hope to convince skeptics, especially in the Bush administration, that global warming is real and that the U. S. should join other nations in making a commitment to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other man-made pollutants that scientists say are boosting temperatures worldwide.

It is not just the ice cover that is being affected by global warming. The animals and people who live in and around the Arctic Ocean are also having their lives changed.

Greenpeace is planning to tie these two explorers expedition and Greenpeace's concurrent scientific expedition on climate change in the Arctic with the climate change impacts felt by the environment and citizens on the US east coast.

Dupre, who builds log cabins in summer months, was looking for a way to dramatize the impact of global warming after having a personal epiphany during his Greenland expedition. He and a companion came to a point where a 1982 map showed two glaciers jutting out a mile into the sea.

"Not only were the glaciers no longer there, they had receded a mile inland," he told the Explorers Club gathering at its wood-paneled and book-lined headquarters on the Upper East Side.

Please note that this event is free and open to the public.

WHEN:  September 6 (Tuesday) 6:30-7:30 p.m. (EST)

WHERE:  Cape Cod Community College
Lecture Hall A
Barnstable, MA

CONTACT: Nancy Hwa 202-319-24232; 202-413-8521 (cell) Chelsea Harris 202-258-1653 For photos of the expedition please visit: usaphoto.greenpeace.org/project_thin_ice_images and see the project web site here.