With big smiles and a shy thank you the two winners was very excited about the prize: a trip to the Norwegian Polar Institute in the arctic city of Tromsø to learn more about climate change.
From left: Ann Bancroft, Liv Arnesen and last year winner of the essay contest Noah Chutz. Photo: Silje Ruud BirkelidJohan Vibe from the Norwegian Embassy was very impressed with all the essays that the students at American University had written for the contest. “AU students know their stuff! All of the essays were well executed, with interesting perspectives and well researched. One of the interesting aspects of the essays, was the fact that you all, without fail, seem to consider that once the ice is gone, or the ice sheet is becoming thin enough – all sorts of explorations will take place: oil and gas, tourist travel, commercial activities. However, it will not be that easy.” When the two winners travel to Tromsø, they will learn more about the unique challenges of operating in an area which is very rough weatherwise, and at the same time extremely fragile in terms of the environment.
Before the winners were announced Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft held a presentation about the ice melts on the North and South Pole. The SIS lounge was filled with eager students wanting to learn more about the North and the South Pole.
Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft is one of the world’s pre-eminent polar explorers. They are the first women to ski across Antarctica and the Arctic.