Why is this important? The IPCC’s estimates for sea level by the end of this century contain very little contribution from the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica because the dynamics of the melt are so poorly understood. As scientists conduct research and begin to unravel the complicated dynamics that govern and influence the melt of the enormous ice sheets at opposite ends of the planet, their predictions for the rate of sea level rise increase. The IPCC’s 2007 estimate for sea level rise by 2100 is 20-60cm (8-24 inches). Since then, scientists predict sea level will rise one to two meters (3.3 to 6.6 feet). That’s a significant jump in just two years’ time, particularly since so many of the dynamic forces that affect ice sheet melt and flow rate are not yet understood.

Dr. Stranneo’s science program in Sermilik Fjord is well-organized and very ambitious, so we are prepared to support her team’s research around the clock, 24/7 if need be. However, scientific research is not the only activity that will be underway in Sermilik Fjord. Although it’s pretty remote, Tasiilaq is relatively easy to reach by air from Iceland and Denmark, so we’ve been able to host a number of VIPs and journalists from around the world on the Arctic Sunrise while the research is taking. This is the one leg of our expedition where a VIP or journalist can join the ship for just a night or two. As a result, we will be hosting a crew from CNN, three german TV crews, one French TV crew and one Indian TV crew, as well as Hugo Moran, environment spokesperson at the Spanish Congress. The ship can only accommodate so many people per night, so additional news crews (AP print and TV, a French newspaper, The Economist) will stay in Tasiilaq and be ferried out to the ship for the day.

All told, we’ll have about 20 people cycling on and off the ship as overnight guests, and another ten or so as guests during the day. This may not sound like a lot, but trust me, it is. Each person and their gear must be transported to the ship via a small boat or the helicopter. Ice in the fjord may scuttle our plans to use small boats, and fog (very common in these parts) will keep the helicopter grounded. Every person who joins the ship, even if it’s just for one night, will need to be briefed on safety protocols as well as ship do’s and don’ts. But most importantly, our goal is to provide each guest with a firsthand account and explanation of the work that Dr. Stranneo and her team are conducting, as well as background information on how it relates to the upcoming climate negotiations in December. We want them to leave the ship understanding the urgent need for deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to increase the chance that the message gets to heads of state who are going to be doing the negotiating a the climate treaty talks in Copenhagen this December.

The media are an important avenue for getting our message out into the general public. Greenpeace puts its money into its campaigns; we simply can’t afford to spend billions of dollars on advertising to get our message out. We rely on a variety of other methods – from our website to public speaking to newsletters and talking to people on the street – the tactics are numerous. Media coverage is a great way to get our message out to many people – including politicians - in one fell swoop, so we are very excited to be hosting so many top-notch journalists during our time in Tasiilaq.

As I write, we’ve ended our couple of days of “calm” before the storm and are now amidst the managed chaos. I’ve been looking forward to it - it’s challenging, hard work, but in the end, the rewards will be measurable. And it’s always a treat to see someone’s face when they come aboard a Greenpeace ship for the first time.

- Melanie, expedition leader on board the Arctic Sunrise

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