The Top of the Earth—The Call of the North Pole at 90 Degrees

Text and photos by / Geng Yangming

This letter was written at the North Pole on July 25, 2017, addressed to leaders in various fields including politics, economics, technology, society, and culture.

I first arrived at the very top of the Earth, the “North Pole at 90 Degrees” (North Pole, see route map), in July 1995 aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker. This year is my fourth journey to this ice-covered region. I still remember that same July during the Arctic summer, with 24 hours of daylight, gazing at the azure sky and the endless white expanse—it took my breath away. Taking a deep breath of the cool, fresh air, I momentarily forgot all the worldly troubles. But things have changed dramatically since then. I suddenly realized that the various natural landscapes, including the extent of sea ice, the thickness and density of the ice, the temperatures of the air and seawater, as well as the wildlife ecological environment… have all undergone tremendous changes.

(Photo by / Geng Yangming)

This trip was somewhat different from all our previous Arctic voyages. In addition to venturing to the northernmost point on Earth—the geographic North Pole, also known as the North Pole at 90 Degrees—and witnessing the nuclear icebreaker breaking through the ice, taking helicopter rides, polar plunges, hot air balloon flights, and me holding the flag of my alma mater, National Cheng Kung University, taking a commemorative photo with Dr. Raymo from Columbia University at the North Pole, landing on the FJL Islands in the Arctic Ocean at a Russian research station (now abandoned), we also organized the first-ever North Pole Summit (North Pole Summit - Chinese Group) in the 26-year history of our polar expeditions. During the voyage, we held several fascinating special lectures and panel discussions, covering topics such as global warming and the greenhouse effect that humanity must confront, extreme climate change, a sharp increase in carbon emissions, energy consumption, environmental pollution, permafrost destruction, and other related issues such as the marginalization of northern indigenous peoples.

Nuclear-powered icebreaker breaking the ice. (Photo by / Geng Yangming)

Helicopter flight. (Photo by / Geng Yangming)

Hot air balloon flight. (Photo by / Geng Yangming)

At the North Pole Summit, we specially invited seven internationally renowned experts and scholars to participate, including scientists, explorers, educators, an Inuit tribal elder, photography experts, and guests from various regions. The seven experts and scholars include:
● Inuit elder and educator, school principal David Serkoak
● Former chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, Alaska Lieutenant Governor Dr. Frances Ulmer
● Columbia University professor, climatologist Dr. Maureen Raymo
● Polar geographer, explorer, and author Dr. James Raffan
● Explorer, self-propelled (without external assistance) trekker, leader of the first successful British expedition to reach the North Pole Alan Chambers
● Marine biologist, world-class photography master Paul Nicklen
● Conservation expert and author, world-class photography master, founder of Sea Legacy Cristina Mittermeier

National Cheng Kung University flag and Columbia University professor Dr. Raymo at the North Pole. (Photo by / Geng Yangming)

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