On September 4, “Ariston Comfort Challenge: The Greenland Mission” was officially released. This grand documentary tells the moving story of how Ariston’s global team of experts, undeterred by hardship, used Ariston’s cutting-edge condensing wall-hung boilers to build warm and comfortable spaces for scientists conducting climate research in the polar region of Greenland. Behind this heartwarming story, Ariston’s strong support and dedication stem from the understanding that the Arctic is a barometer of global climate change, and that global climate research holds significant importance for protecting the Earth's ecology and human living environment – matters that concern the future of every one of us.
The Arctic is an important scientific base for studying global climate change
The Arctic region serves as the cold source of the Earth's atmosphere and plays a vital role in the global climate, weather, and environmental systems. Research shows that the Arctic is a sensitive area of global climate change, with warming rates far exceeding those of mid and low latitudes, making it a focal point for climate change studies. According to experts from the World Meteorological Organization, the trend of increasing extreme heat and precipitation worldwide is undoubtedly a result of climate change.
The melting of Arctic ice and snow exposes the ground, which absorbs more solar radiation and heat, accelerating global warming. The thawing of Arctic permafrost may occur decades earlier than expected. The accelerated release of greenhouse gases will further exacerbate the increasingly severe climate change.
Professor Morten Rasch from the University of Copenhagen’s Permafrost Research Centre, leader of the Arctic expedition team and a veteran of polar science research for 30 years, said: “To help governments around the world make sound policy decisions, some people need to collect samples at the edge of the world for laboratory analysis. These sampling areas are far from Arctic research stations and must be collected during the extremely harsh winter. The tough environment has severely hindered scientists' research progress. Ariston’s Comfort Challenge mission is designed to change this situation for the scientists here, helping them improve their research conditions and enabling them to better devote themselves to their work.”
Bringing comfort and warmth to the global climate research expedition team
Claudia Bruhn, a female scientist from Germany, is collecting phytoplankton samples under the Arctic ice in an environment that most people would find unbearable. She says that many people don’t realize that half of the world’s oxygen is produced by these tiny organisms, and that every breath of oxygen you take comes from these minuscule plankton. She hopes to understand the impact of climate change on these creatures – something that clearly affects all of us.
Carrying glaciers formed over millions of years and facing temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees, all research takes place in field areas far from research stations. To collect samples, polar scientists must venture to the edge of the world. Working in such a field environment, Claudia Bruhn and her fellow scientists can only camp in the snowy wilderness, live in tents, and rely on kerosene lamps for lighting... “This place has two months of total darkness every year – you won’t see the sun,” says this urban girl, who has forgotten the pain and inconvenience of the extreme environment and instead feels excited to be conducting such research. For the young Claudia Bruhn, coming here is an invaluable opportunity to face challenges and hardships never encountered in city life and to give her all to the research. She doesn’t mention the tough conditions at all – this is what makes these scientists so admirable. Decades of harsh conditions have not dimmed the polar scientists’ dedication to researching global climate change; many have stayed for as long as thirty years.
As the scientists step into this comfortable house through the wind and snow, they can finally take off their heavy cold-weather gear. Through floor-to-ceiling insulated glass, they can fully admire the unique beauty of the harsh Arctic environment. The warmth in their hearts brings smiles to their faces that they haven’t shown in a long time. The construction of this house has changed everyone’s definition of comfort there. In the icy, snow-covered polar region, being able to conduct research and rest in a warm house is the “comfort” that scientists dream of. Creating a unique warmth and comfort in Greenland’s frigid, frozen environment has truly brought Ariston’s brand philosophy of “Comfort in Every Possibility” to every corner of the world.
Claudia Bruhn can finally take out her microscope to examine the samples she has just collected. With this comfortable house, she and her colleagues can fully immerse themselves in their research. Sitting by the glass window with a view of the Arctic, Claudia Bruhn says, “I wouldn’t miss the overwhelming advertisements, congested traffic, or polluted air of the city at all. I wouldn’t miss the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life, but I would definitely miss my friends and colleagues.” Though far from family and friends, they now have the same warmth and comfort as in a big city.
The demand for comfort is growing all over the world, while there is an even more urgent need for innovative energy-saving and environmentally friendly technologies to improve our planet and achieve sustainable growth. For a better Earth, Ariston has always made energy conservation and environmental protection a key part of its business development, contributing to a more comfortable and better world. Ariston aims to generate 80% of its business from energy-saving and renewable energy solutions by 2020. In terms of energy efficiency and environmental protection of wall-hung boiler products, Ariston began focusing on condensing technology in 2008. Today, Ariston’s full premix condensing technology leads the entire heating industry with an impressive thermal efficiency of up to 108%, ushering in a new era of green and efficient heating.
Massimiliano Fugini, Head of Brand Marketing at Ariston Group, offers the best explanation for this Comfort Challenge: “The construction of Ariston’s Comfort Space is not just about supporting a research team, but also an important step in our support for Arctic ecosystem research. The University of Copenhagen’s research team is paving the way for new discoveries in climate change research. These findings will help us better understand the current state of our environment and how we, as humans, can work to prevent the adverse effects of climate change.”
To make more comfortable possibilities a reality, every impossibility is worth challenging. Using the power of technology to advance global climate research, making the world more comfortable and better – this is the original aspiration and determination behind Ariston’s Comfort Challenge. Learn more about the Ariston Comfort Challenge, learn more about global climate research.