Frederik at opening of International Polar Year

Today Crown Prince Frederik has attended the launch of the Danish part of International Polar Year 2007-2008, of which he is patron, at the Nordatlantiske Brygge in Copenhagen. Frederik knows first hand about the situation in Greenland ( a part of the polar region) as he was a participant in Expedition Sirius 2000. He was one of six people who took part in the 2,795 kilometre long sledge journey along the coast of North and North East Greenland. Danes followed the journey through a series of documentaries in which Frederik spoke of the hardships as well as the amazing experiences of nature during the four month journey. Frederik has spoken a number of times in interviews about the great impact the Sirius Expedition had upon him. He also participated in a royal colloqium in 2005 focused on the Arctic Under Stress.

International Polar Year 2007-2008 has been launched this week world wide and involves multiple research organisations, educational institutions and will be centred on the North Polar region and on the Antarctic. There are numerous projects operating out of Hobart (the centre for Australian Antarctic research), including educational expeditions. There will be multi-disciplinary research and data collection as well as educational outreach during the Polar Year. The primary launch was in Paris on March 1 and the year will involve 60 nations and 220 projects.



Some symbolic passing around of Greenlandic ice carved as a globe.

Some of Crown Prince Frederik's related patronages:
The Commission for Scientific Research in Greenland and the the Greenland Scientific Research Commission
See also Danish Polar Centre
Frederik is patron Danish Expedition Foundation and the Galathea 3 Expedition
Much of the research and concern for these environments centres on the question of global warming and the now evident degradation of polar regions involving melting of massive ice sheets, fjords and affects on wildlife including polar bears, birds and many other species.
BBC NEWS - Huge polar study ready to begin
SMH - Global polar study launched
SMH - Australia to lead Antarctic research

Added: Madeleine Glindorf's gallery (thanks Madeleine!)