Comments on: Polar Research and Global Warming: an essay by Cornelia Lüdecke

By: adamclyde

adamclyde — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:11:33 +0000

Tim, thanks for the link – this is great.

By: Tim Walker

Tim Walker — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:24:21 +0000

Adam -- If memory serves, Adrian has accepted a teaching job at Colorado State Univ. that will start this fall. I was also able to find an abstract describing his work online. Cheers.

By: James Governor’s Monkchips » How many comments this week? 100? You Gotta Be Kidding

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:38:40 +0000

[...] is crossing Greenland to bring attention to polar research and global warming. I read this guest post by Cornelia Lüdecke, President of the International Commission on History of Meteorology and Chair [...]

By: adamclyde

adamclyde — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:08:51 +0000

Thierry, Thank you so much for the link. Fascinating and I’m sure Harald, upon his return, will be very intrigued as well.

James, good point. I’m not sure it’s sufficient, but I hope it’s a start – and certainly more than not trying at all. Glad to see you made it over to the blog.

Tim, we’d be very interested in seeing your colleague’s work. Harald, in particular, is very keen on fostering even more academic relationships.

By: Tim Walker

Tim Walker — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:00:06 +0000

Very interesting on numerous counts. Two observations:

1. A colleague of mine at the University of Texas, Adrian Howkins, is just now graduating with his Ph.D. in history. His special topic is the international diplomacy surrounding Antarctica, with special attention to the International Geophysical Year. Look for his work, as he offers many insights on Antarctica’s place in the international order; the multivalent diplomatic relations between the Argentina, Britain, Chile, and the United States; and more broadly on the politicization of science.

2. You’re quite right to mention the business connection in your conclusion. As alarming as last summer’s Greenland ice melt has been, it is also true that reduced sea ice and glaciation in the Arctic will present new business opportunities going forward. The question remains: What are the consequences of these opportunities?

By: James Governor

James Governor — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:09:36 +0000

This is extremely interesting historical information. My big question is whether the attempt to bring academia and business together on issues concerning polar research is a sufficient approach, given the rising strength of the nation state with natural resources, and the current saber rattling. When Canada becomes bellicose you know the world has changed, and in my opinion unlikely for the better. We need more jaw jaw, less war war.

By: Thierry Cappelle

Thierry Cappelle — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:32:44 +0000

Dear Cornelia,
I just read through your article, very interesting, and simply would like to add a little stone to your construction.

In Antarctica, Dome C, or “Charlie” as it was named at that time, was elected in the mid 70’s as the best place for very deep ice-core drilling. The first of these experiments was run during the 1977-1978 summer campaign by a party of 13 people under the scientific supervision of Claude LORIUS. I was lucky enough to be part of the team.
I am sure you will find interest in browsing the web pages dedicated to this mission on Guillaume DARGAUD’s site : http://www.gdargaud.net/Antarctica/DomeCharlie.html

Best regards
Thierry Cappelle