The Pax Arctica Initiative

Overview In October of 2007, world renowned photographer, explorer and environmental advocate Sebastian Copeland launched his most ambitious project to date - The Pax Arctica Initiative. Through exploration, education and dissemination, the Pax Arctica Initiative promotes the need for a unilateral charter to protect the Arctic from the exploitation of it’s abundant resources, and a global awareness of this fragile ecosystem. In the early spring of 2009 Sebastian Copeland will lead a commemorative expedition to the North Pole on foot, retracing Admiral Peary’s 1909 trip across the Arctic. Given the rapidly deteriorating sea ice surrounding the pole, 2009 may well mark the last year for such an attempt. This document is intended to outline the opportunities surrounding the 2009 expedition.

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All photographs in this presentation by Sebastian Copeland

The Arctic In recent years, the rapidly melting Arctic ice has turned this once neglected region into a new and major strategic battlefield. Today, the opening of once-closed maritime sea lanes; the exploitation of mineral, energy, and precious-metal resources;! and the geo-strategic location of the Arctic, has created a high stakes game for great international powers. Unlike Antarctica, no treaty regulates development in the High Arctic region and disputes persist regarding the status of its international sub-ice borders. Meanwhile the Arctic ecosystem, its biodiversity and indigenous culture are becoming increasingly vulnerable to these growing interests.

The Pax Arctica Initiative Spanning three years - from summer 2008 to summer 2010, The Pax Arctica Initiative consists of several targeted expeditions - documented and presented via photography (books, exhibitions, lectures, and promotional events) and documentary films (on-line, television and film festivals). The summer of 2008 saw the successful completion of the Initiative’s first two expeditions. “The Young Ambassadors of the Arctic” brought together nine children from around the world in an awareness mission across the High Canadian Arctic. The second part was a photo expedition traveling to remote locations on the Arctic sea ice in search of polar bears.

The final mission will be organized through 2010 to further explore the issues surrounding the Russian Arctic - focussing on the Wrangell Islands. All missions are undertaken in collaboration with Global Green USA - the United States arm of Green Cross International, a global environmental advocacy group founded in 1991 by President Mikhail Gorbachev.

Sebastian Copeland Sebastian Copeland is an award-winning photographer, author, lecturer and environmental advocate who serves on the Board of Directors of Global Green USA. Born in France and raised in England, Copeland graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCLA (’86). His work has appeared in hundreds of publications worldwide, including GQ, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, and National Geographic. In 2007 he was named Professional Photographer of the Year (Book Category) at The International Photography Awards for his first book Antarctica: The Global Warning. Sebastian has addressed audiences at the United Nations, The World Affairs Council, the General Assembly on climate in New Orleans (in front of President Gorbachev), the George Eastman House, the Google and Apple headquarters, among others. He has appeared many times on television including CNN’s Larry King Live and Al Gore’s Current TV. In 2008 Sebastian was named one of German GQ’s “Men of The Year” for his environmental leadership.

Sponsors Use of Funds: Sponsorship funds will underwrite the 2009 Expedition only, including all costs associated with transportation, technical infrastructure and support. Available Categories: Financial

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Already on board: Hewlett Packard

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The Nor th Pole The North Pole is defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets the Earth's surface. While the South Pole lies on a continental land mass, the North Pole is located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, amidst waters that are almost permanently covered with constantly shifting sea ice.

The Sun is permanently above the horizon during the summer months and permanently below the horizon during the winter months. Sunrise is just before the vernal equinox (around March 19); the Sun then takes three months to reach its highest point of about 23"" elevation at the summer solstice (around June 21), after which time it begins to sink, reaching sunset just after the autumnal equinox (around September 24).

The North Pole is significantly warmer than the South Pole because it lies at sea level in the middle of an ocean (which acts as a reservoir of heat), rather than at altitude in a continental land mass. January temperatures at the North Pole can range from about !45"F to !15"F. Summer temperatures (June, July and August) average around the freezing point of 0"C, 32"F..

The sea ice at the North Pole is typically around two or three meters thick, though there is considerable variation and occasionally the movement of floes exposes clear water. Studies have suggested that the average ice thickness has dramatically decreased in recent years due to global warming. Reports have also predicted that the Arctic Ocean could be entirely free of ice in the summer months as early as 2013

The 1909 Pe ar y Nor th Pole Exp editi on Robert Edwin Peary (May 6, 1856 to February 20, 1920) was an American explorer who claimed to have been the first person, on April 6, 1909, to reach the geographic North Pole Born in east of Pittsburgh in 1856, he was commissioned a Civil Engineer Corps Officer in the United States Navy October 26, 1881. Peary made several expeditions to the Arctic and explored Greenland by dog sled throughout the 1890’s and 1900’s.

Unlike most previous explorers, Peary studied Inuit survival techniques, built igloos, and dressed in practical furs in the native fashion both for heat preservation and to dispense with the extra weight of tents and sleeping bags when on the march. Peary also relied on the Inuit as hunters and dog-drivers on his expeditions, and pioneered the use of the system (which he called the "Peary system") of using support teams and supply caches for Arctic travel. Finally over 1908-09 Peary applied his System in a dogsled drive for the pole across the rough sea ice of the Arctic Ocean.

Antarctica - The Global Warning In 2006 and 2007 Sebastian Copeland traveled the Antarctic peninsula to document the effects of global warming. The resulting book of photography - “Antarctica - The Global Warning” - and ensuing series of exhibitions and personal appearances in North America and Europe helped to powerfully communicate both the beauty and fragility of this extraordinary environment, and the need for urgent action to preserve it.

Published 2007

Napapijri exhibition - Barcelona

Book signing at Hewlett Packard booth at CES

Sebastian with Mikhail Gorbachev

Just some of the international recognition for the book and its photography includes: Professional Photographer of the Year book category at the 2007 International Photography Awards (IPA); Merit Award - Extreme Exploration at the 2007 Photo District News (PDN) Awards); 2nd Prize winner - Professional Subcategory at the 2007 PX3 Awards; Official Selection by the 2008 Prix du Cercle Polaire; Shortlist finalist at the 2008 Prix Pictet; and an Honorable Mention at the 2008 International Photography Awards (IPA).

Legal

This document is intended solely for information purposes and in no way constitutes a contract for services. All images in this document are the sole and exclusive property of the copyright holder Sebastian Copeland. Any use, reuse, reproduction or distribution of this document, or the images herein, without the written approval of Sebastian Copeland is expressly forbidden.