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Barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus).

Polar Perspectives 2008-09

National Speaker Series

In recognition of International Polar Year, free public lectures by prominent scientists, adventurers, filmmakers and leaders on Arctic issues have been taking place at 15 venues across Canada in 2008-09. Topics range from environmental impacts in the Arctic to the latest polar research discoveries.

The speaker series seeks to raise awareness about the Canadian Arctic, its peoples and northern issues. It aims to increase understanding of climate change, its impact on the polar regions and on the entire planet, as well as the mitigation and adaptation measures that are possible.

The final lecture is:

A PEARL Near the Pole: Atmospheric Research at the Top of the World

October 16, 2009, Toronto, Ontario
Lecturer: Dr. James Drummond
Details about the lecture.

Previous Lectures

Five Months on Foot with an Arctic Caribou Herd

April 1, 2008, Ottawa, Ontario
Lecturer: Karsten Heuer
Watch a video extract (4 min. 37 sec.).

Réchauffement planétaire : un océan arctique libre de glace en été d'ici 2015?

April 2, 2008, Ottawa, Ontario
Lecturer: Dr. Louis Fortier
Watch a video extract (4 min. 3 sec.).

To the Ends of the Earth: Leadership and Adventure in the Polar Regions

April 14, 2008, Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Lecturer: Geoff Green
Details about the lecture.

Being Caribou: Five Months on Foot with an Arctic Herd

October 18, 2008, Drumheller, Alberta
Lecturer: Karsten Heuer
Details about the lecture.

A PEARL Near the Pole: Atmospheric Research at the Top of the World

October 28, 2008, Saint John, New Brunswick
Lecturer: James Drummond
Details about the lecture.

Our Feverish Planet: the Impacts of an Ice-free Arctic Ocean

October 30, 2008, St. John’s, Newfoundland
Lecturer: Dr. Louis Fortier
Details about the lecture.

Arctic warming and killer whales: how will polar bears, whales, and seals survive?

November 4, 2008, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dr. Stephen Ferguson

Polar Bears in Nunavut: A Research and Management Perspective

November 6, 2008, Regina, Saskatchewan
Lecturer: Dr. Elizabeth Peacock
Details about the lecture.

Beavers in the Arctic?

November 17, 2008, Iqaluit, Nunavut
Lecturer: Dr. Natalia Rybczynski
Details about the lecture.

Beyond the Map:  A Geographer Reflects on 30 Years of Lessons from the Land

November 20, 2008, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Lecturer: Dr. James Raffan
Details about the lecture.

Plumbing the Polar Oceans: Their Job in the Global Climate System

November 24, 2008, Victoria, British Columbia
Lecturer: Dr. Eddy Carmack
Details about the lecture.

Adventures in Arctic Palaeobiology

November 26, 2008, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Lecturer: Dr. Natalia Rybczynski
Details about the lecture.

Carving out the Islands of the Canadian Archipelago

November 26, 2008, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Lecturer: Dr. John Gosse
Details about the lecture.

North Towards Meaning

November 30, 2008, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Lecturer: Karsten Heuer
Details about the lecture.

Polar Bears in a Changing Climate

March 26, 2009, Edmonton, Alberta
Lecturer: Andrew Derocher
Details about the lecture.