THE PRIME MINISTER
There can be no doubt that climate change is already having significant impacts on the Arctic, the region that many scientists consider to be the ‘canary in the coal mine’ for global warming.
Temperatures in the Arctic have risen almost twice as quickly as in the rest of the world, and there has been a long-term decline in summer Arctic sea ice which has accelerated over the last decade, with some experts suggesting that summer sea ice may disappear completely by the mid 2010s. We have this year seen significant loss of ice from two of Greenland’s glaciers — a piece of the Petermann Glacier about half the size of Manhattan broke away in July, and the Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier, one of Greenland’s largest, has retreated further inland than at any time in the past 150 years. These changes are already affecting Arctic ecosystems and communities, as well as increasing global sea levels.
Climate change is not just a scientific or technical issue, but a cultural one. It is about how people and governments all over the world live with the reality of global warming, and the issues it raises about fairness, poverty and changing lifestyles. Artists and writers have an important role to play and it is vital that they are fully engaged in the debates about these issues. I am therefore delighted to be able to extend my support to the Cape Farewell expedition to Greenland.
Gordon Brown
One Comment
Rachel
This is good, although whether Gordon will have be in office to support you on your return is questionable.
Every politician should be endorsing Cape Farewell, and GB has given a good lead