National Science Foundation Invites Media to Apply for August Visit to
Arctic Field Science Sites in Greenland
Application Deadline: Monday, 2 July 2007
For further information, please go to:
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=ma07018
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting written requests from
professional journalists to report on atmospheric and climate science
supported in Greenland by NSF's Office of Polar Programs (OPP). OPP and
NSF's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) jointly manage and
coordinate media visits to the polar regions.
NSF supports numerous scientific projects in Greenland, many of which
are international in scope. NSF will select a small group of journalists
to visit the Greenland Environmental Observatory Summit (GEOSummit) and
other remote sites in Greenland - as weather permits - that represent
the range of science in the area. Journalists would deploy between 6-11
August 2007.
At least three projects related to climate and environmental chemistry
will be open to media visits:
The Greenland Ice Sheet is undergoing remarkable changes, as evidenced
by surface melt ponds and glacial retreat. Satellites have estimated the
volume of the Greenland Ice Sheet, but without ground-based measurements
it is impossible to know how much ice is on Greenland. POLENET, an
international project funded by NSF for International Polar Year (IPY),
will place 34 ground GPS stations around the entire coastline of
Greenland to provide the measurements necessary to calculate the volume
of the ice sheet. Similar instruments will be deployed in Antarctica
during IPY. This network of GPS stations will improve scientists'
abilities to understand how the ice sheets are changing and their
potential impact on global sea level.In another project, researchers are collecting snow from across the
Arctic to measure the black carbon content. The carbon content strongly
affects the amount of sunlight absorbed by the snow and thereby
increases its melt rate.A third project will be analyzing snow chemistry at GEOSummit to
measure levels of atmospheric elements in the snow that result from
industrial emissions.
How to apply:
Applicants must submit the equivalent of two printed pages detailing
specifically what they intend to cover while in the field. NSF public
affairs officers can help applicants to craft a proposed reporting plan
that has the best chance of meeting minimum criteria.
A selection committee of Division of Arctic Sciences personnel and media
officers from OLPA will review all proposals and select finalists. The
committee will look for proposals that indicate an understanding of the
nature and challenges of NSF's scientific enterprise in the Arctic and
the desire and ability to communicate that understanding to the public.
The deadline for applications is Monday, 2 July 2007. U.S. media receive
preference in selection.
Focused applications with thorough reporting plans that indicate solid
working knowledge of NSF's science goals in the Arctic and an intent to
highlight for the public the scientific discoveries taking place there
stand the best chance of selection. NSF furnishes at no cost
cold-weather clothing, solely for use in the field, as well as housing,
transportation, and food while in the field.
How To Apply:
Contact the NSF media officer listed below (by phone or by e-mail) as
soon as possible to express interest. Freelancers are eligible for
consideration but must supply with their letter of application evidence
of a firm commitment from prospective employer on employer's letterhead
to publish or air their work.
Send the application letter to:
National Science Foundation
Office of Legislative and Public Affairs
Attn: Peter West
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1245
Arlington, VA 22230
Background:
In March 2007, scientists around the globe began a widespread,
coordinated range of research as part of the 2007-2008 International
Polar Year (IPY). The observations supported by NSF in Greenland on
environmental chemistry and the status of the Greenland Ice Sheet are
key IPY investigations. The White House Office of Science and Technology
Policy has designated NSF as the lead U.S. agency for IPY.
GEOSummit sits atop the Greenland Ice Sheet, the largest in the northern
hemisphere. Measurements taken at GEOSummit continue baseline,
year-round measurements of key atmospheric-change indicators. Numerous
science campaigns have been conducted at Summit Camp during the past
decade, the most notable being the GISP2 ice-coring project. The GISP
core provides a long-term climate record for the northern hemisphere.
The summit site has proven a nearly ideal location for studies of
climate change and snow chemistry. Research has shown that chemistry
occurring in the snow acts as a major source and sink of several
atmospheric compounds important to both climate regulation and
upper-atmospheric ozone. Understanding these dynamics will enable more
accurate analysis of ice cores and better forecasts of future conditions
on Earth.
NSF Media Advisory 07-018.
Media Contact:
Peter West, NSF
Phone: 703-292-7761
E-mail: pwest [at] nsf.gov
Program Contact:
Kim L. Silverman, NSF
Phone: 703-292-7530
E-mail: ksilverm [at] nsf.gov
For further information about GEOSummit, please go to:
http://www.geosummit.org/