December 9, 2011

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Arctic explorer Will Steger is parking his dogsled to speak out across the country about the threat of climate change - and he says there's no mistaking what he's seen on his many journeys:

"In the polar regions the ice is starting to melt, and we're seeing the ice shelves in Antarctica and the higher arctic disappearing. At the same time, we're starting to see weather extremes all around, not only the United States, but all around the rest of the world right now.

Innovative Arctic Symposium Fosters Discussion in the American Midwest

While the snowy Arctic may seem to be a long way from the American Midwest, the "North Star" state of Minnesota has a rich tradition of polar exploration, as well as Arctic scientific and educational work. The Arctic is a region in which Canadians and Americans frequently collaborate, and the engaging discussions at a recent symposium brought the topic home for the many Minnesotans in attendance. The symposium, entitled “The Changing Arctic: International Cooperation and Development", offered the chance for experts to weigh in on the future of the Arctic as it pertains to economic development, climate change, and culture.

January 5, 2012
DULUTH - A polar explorer making a stop in the Twin Ports Wednesday night.
Will Steger stopped at Teatro Zuccone Theater to discuss how his foundation is combating climate change along with taking questions.

January 5, 2012
Loll hosted a presentation with Polar Explorer, Will Steger, last night. Over 80 people came to hear about Will's adventures along with how his foundation is combating and creating awareness about global climate change. Loll Designs proudly donates 1% of their gross sales to help aid his campaign.

DULUTH, MN (Northland's NewsCenter) - Will Steger has climbed mountains, traversed the Mississippi and dog sledded across Antarctica, but his message to Duluthians Wednesday was not about what he has done, but what he has seen.

Click here to view the video.

Polar explorer Will Steger is known for his travels in the arctic, but he made a stop in Duluth on Wednesday night to talk about climate change.

Click here to view the video.

December 7, 2011
PRINCETON, Minn. – The state’s own eyewitness to the impacts of climate change is making a trek to northern Minnesota this week to share his stories.

Arctic explorer Will Steger is to speak tonight in Princeton and Thursday in Grand Rapids, and says there's o mistaking what he's seen on his many journeys:

Will Steger's famous "Lunchbreak" shot from the 1989-90 International Trans-Antarctic Expedition is featured in the 2011 National Geographic 50 Greatest Pictures magazine.

Click here to see the image…

Symposium presented by the Consulate General of Canada, the Will Steger Foundation and the University of Minnesota will explore international cooperation and development in the Arctic

Contacts:

Christine Davis, Consulate General of Canada, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (612) 492-2903
Nicole Rom, Will Steger Foundation, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (612) 278-7147
Todd Reubold, Institute on the Environment, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (612) 624-614

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL – Recent Arctic research shows summer sea ice reached a one of the lowest levels on record this year. Changes to the environment coupled with other social and economic factors are leading to an array of questions facing Arctic nations.

Who owns the vast resources beneath the Arctic Ocean? What’s the role of international cooperation and diplomacy in the far north? How will climate change impact Arctic waterways, infrastructure and ecosystems? How will changes and development in the Arctic increasingly impact Minnesota? Experts from Canada and the United States will address these and other questions at the symposium The Changing Arctic: International Cooperation and Development.

The event will take place on October 27, 2011 in the Cowles Auditorium at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and is being organized by the Consulate General of Canada, the Will Steger Foundation, the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment and the Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy at the U’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Consul General Martin Loken and polar explorer Will Steger will provide opening remarks to kick-off the half-day symposium.

"Canada and the United States have long collaborated in the Arctic as neighbors and friends,” said Consul General Loken. “Now the region is transforming in many ways, presenting both challenges and opportunities for our two countries and others in the international community. This event is a unique opportunity to explore these issues with distinguished experts from Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere."

"The Arctic has been my home for over 45 years,” said explorer Will Steger. “To survive in these lands, I have become intimately familiar with their vast landscapes, wildlife, and climates. The changes I see deeply affect me in a way neither a scientific study nor a satellite image could. Climate change is having very real implications on the Arctic ecosystem and will affect our economy, security, international relationships, and way of life. This symposium provides a unique opportunity to delve deeper into what a changing Arctic means for all of us."

Speakers from universities in Canada and United States, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and the Swedish government are scheduled to participate in the conference. Whitney Lackenbauer, renowned Arctic author and professor at the University of Waterloo, will provide a keynote address and Commander Mary Ellen Durley of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder will summarize her ship’s participation in joint naval exercises in the Arctic with Canadian and Danish ships in 2010.

Press passes are available for members of the media. Please contact Christine Davis, Consulate General of Canada, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (612) 492-2903 for more information.

To learn more about the conference, please visit http://z.umn.edu/arcticconference.

Wild Things Gear

Will Steger is featured in the newly redesigned Wild Things Gear website. Wild Things has been a long time sponsor and manufacture of the Arctic clothing for Will Steger's expeditions.

See the online feature from the Wild Things website - July 2010