[April 06, 2009] Key Nations to Gather in Washington for Historic Polar Summit Tweet WASHINGTON --(Business Wire)-- On Monday, April 6, ministers from nations representing the Arctic and Antarctic regions will gather at the State Department in Washington for high-level talks on climate change and other issues affecting the two Poles. The summit marks the first time that Arctic Council nations and Antarctic Treaty members have ever gathered to meet as one body. World Wildlife Fund officials who manage the organization's Arctic and Antarctic programs will participate in the summit as official observers and will be available to speak with reporters on Monday, both before and after the ministerial meeting. The summit comes at a critical time for the Polar Regions, as they show signs of significant impacts from climate change that could have serious implications for the rest of the planet. The meeting will coincide with an update on Arctic sea ice conditions by NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center, also scheduled for Monday. Arctic sea ice has melted to record low levels in recent summers and NASA and NSIDC have said that sea ice cover in the Arctic in the winter months has been lower in the past six years than at any other time in 30 years of satellite tracking. Currently, a team of researchers is trekking across the Arctic as part of a mission to measure and monitor sea ice conditions. The findings of the Catlin Arctic Survey will provide vital information about the thickness of Arctic sea ice. WWF will provide photos and B-roll of the Catlin expedition to reporters upon request. Additional background materials on climate change impacts on the Polar Regions, including a short synthesis of scientific findings (2 Degrees + 2 Poles = Too Much), are available online: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/arctic/publications.html. WHAT: WWF press briefings before and after Polar summit ministerial meeting WHEN: There will be 3 opportunities for media to speak with WWF spokespersons: 7:30 am EDT - Press call (call logistics below) 12:30 pm EDT - Media availability immediately outside State Department Ministerial meeting 2:30 pm EDT - Press call (call logistics below) CALL LOGISTICS: Number: 866-305-9672 or 703-621-9132Participant code: 808363#(For international access numbers, please contact WWF) WHO: WWF spokespersons will be Neil Hamilton, Director, WWF International Arctic Programme Rob Nicoll, Manager, WWF Antarctic and Southern Oceans Initiative For more information, contact: Joe Pouliot, Director of Climate and Policy Communications, WWF-USMobile: 202-476-9919Email: [email protected] Clive Tesar, Head of Communications, WWF International Arctic ProgrammeTel: 613-232-2535, Mobile: 613-883-3110Email: [email protected] ABOUT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND WWF is the world's leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]