Artists & Scientists Return from Arctic Expedition - Mission Blue

September 24, 2015

Facebook
Twitter
INSTAGRAM
RSS

A team of 60 of the world’s leading marine scientists, photographers, filmmakers and fine artists recently returned from an expedition to the icy waters of Norway, Greenland and Iceland to explore and document the impacts of climate change on the fragile high Arctic region. The two-and-a-half-week Elysium Artists for the Arctic expedition was orchestrated by photographer Michael Aw—director of the Ocean Geographic Society—who co-led the trip alongside Mission Blue founder and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Dr. Sylvia Earle and acclaimed photographers David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes and Ernie Brooks. The team traveled from North Spitsbergen to North and East Greenland and on to Iceland aboard the 71.61-meter MV Polar Pioneer—a Finnish ice-strengthened research vessel specially charted for the expedition.

The team experienced incredible panoramas of glaciers, icebergs and mountains, went snorkeling and diving in frigid high Arctic waters and documented numerous polar bears, walruses, Arctic hares and kittiwakes. They also observed stark evidence of climate change, with sea ice cover this year at the fourth lowest minimum ever recorded. The team went above 82 degrees north of the Equator in search of pack ice and didn’t find any older than one year—an ominous discovery.

With the expedition complete, it’s up to the Elysium team to use their experiences and talents to inspire hope and raise awareness among citizens around the globe. With climate change already taking a toll on Arctic marine species, we are all responsible for protecting them, and our planet, for the future. For starters, add your name to this petition urging world leaders at the upcoming COP21 climate change conference to give the ocean a voice during their negotiations, and share using #OceanForClimate.

Marine conservation advocate Ellen Cuylaerts, a contributing photographer for the Elysium expedition, shared her stunning photography from the voyage with us below. Enjoy!

12049446_10153573696420502_1366351473743321228_n

“An image of a polar bear that illustrates the way it walks. In the words of Richard Ellis: ‘Polar bears swing their front paws outward with each lumbering step, then turn them inward, so they land slightly pigeon-toed.’ (On Thin Ice, p78)” – Ellen Cuylaerts

12037933_10153579774140502_8369399537441155223_n

12042941_10153574725020502_1809173773895530015_n

12009762_10153575940435502_3372580816531594605_n

"Walrus cow taking care of her calf. Calves are usually born on the ice and the cow will nurse them for about 2 years. After 6 months of milk, solid food is added to the calves diet. This calf was almost as big as its mom. As polar bears, walrusses needs the ice to survive!" – Ellen Cuylaerts
“Walrus cow taking care of her calf. Calves are usually born on the ice and the cow will nurse them for about 2 years. After 6 months of milk, solid food is added to the calves diet. This calf was almost as big as its mom. As polar bears, walrusses needs the ice to survive!” – Ellen Cuylaerts
"First look at this polar bear shows a healthy bear, if you look closer you can see a wound at the hind leg. Our guides explained it could be caused by a jab of a walrus tusk which is bad news. It would mean the polar bear hunted a walrus which is dangerous to him. Polar bears could have wounds that prevent them from having the agility and speed to hunt which will cause a death from starvation. Maybe the bear was so hungry that he had no choice but to put itself in the danger zone." – Ellen Cuylaerts
“First look at this polar bear shows a healthy bear, if you look closer you can see a wound at the hind leg. Our guides explained it could be caused by a jab of a walrus tusk which is bad news. It would mean the polar bear hunted a walrus which is dangerous to him. Polar bears could have wounds that prevent them from having the agility and speed to hunt which will cause a death from starvation. Maybe the bear was so hungry that he had no choice but to put itself in the danger zone.” – Ellen Cuylaerts

Mission Blue founder and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Dr. Sylvia Earle celebrated her 80th birthday during the expedition, and conducted her first-ever high Arctic dive!
Mission Blue founder and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Dr. Sylvia Earle celebrated her 80th birthday during the expedition, and conducted her first-ever high Arctic dive!

 

Featured image: Dr. Sylvia Earle snorkeling in the Arctic. © Michael Aw

Facebook
Twitter
INSTAGRAM
RSS

2 thoughts on “Artists & Scientists Return from Arctic Expedition

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We've Updated Our Privacy Policy

Read our new privacy policy here.