Text & Photos / Yen-Ming Geng
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 top of the Earth, the “North Pole at 90 degrees” (North Pole, refer to route map), aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker in July 1995, and this year is my fourth trip to this snow-covered region. I still remember that same July during the Arctic summer, with 24-hour daylight, gazing at the blue sky and the endless white expanse — breathtakingly beautiful. Taking a deep breath of the cool, fresh air, I momentarily forgot all the worldly worries. But things have changed dramatically. I suddenly realized that various natural landscapes on the earth, including the extent of sea ice coverage, 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.
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 top of the Earth, the “North Pole at 90 degrees” (North Pole, refer to route map), aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker in July 1995, and this year is my fourth trip to this snow-covered region. I still remember that same July during the Arctic summer, with 24-hour daylight, gazing at the blue sky and the endless white expanse — breathtakingly beautiful. Taking a deep breath of the cool, fresh air, I momentarily forgot all the worldly worries. But things have changed dramatically. I suddenly realized that various natural landscapes on the earth, including the extent of sea ice coverage, 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 / Yen-Ming Geng)
This journey is somewhat different from all previous Arctic expeditions. In addition to venturing to the northernmost point on Earth, the geographic North, also known as the North Pole at 90 degrees, watching the nuclear-powered icebreaker break through the ice, helicopter flights, polar plunges, hot air balloon rides, I took a photo at the North Pole with the flag of my alma mater National Cheng Kung University and Dr. Raymo from Columbia University, landed on the Russian observation station (now abandoned) in the FJL Islands in the Arctic Ocean, and 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 also held several engaging special lectures and panel discussions, covering topics such as global warming and the greenhouse effect, extreme climate change, surging carbon emissions, energy consumption, environmental pollution, permafrost destruction, and other related issues like the marginalization of northern ethnic groups.
Nuclear-powered icebreaker breaking the ice. (Photo / Yen-Ming Geng)
Helicopter flight. (Photo / Yen-Ming Geng)
Hot air balloon flight. (Photo / Yen-Ming Geng)
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, Meteorologist Dr. Maureen Raymo
● Polar Geographer, Explorer, and Author Dr. James Raffan
● Explorer, Self-Powered Hiker (no external assistance), First Successful Expedition Leader to Reach the North Pole, UK Team Leader Alan Chambers
● Marine Biologist, International-Class Photography Master Paul Nicklen
● Ecological Conservation Expert and Author, International-Class Photography Master, Founder of Sea Legacy Cristina Mittermeier
● 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, Meteorologist Dr. Maureen Raymo
● Polar Geographer, Explorer, and Author Dr. James Raffan
● Explorer, Self-Powered Hiker (no external assistance), First Successful Expedition Leader to Reach the North Pole, UK Team Leader Alan Chambers
● Marine Biologist, International-Class Photography Master Paul Nicklen
● Ecological Conservation Expert and Author, International-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 / Yen-Ming Geng)
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