Support the Willem Barentsz Polar Institute

 

The Willem Barentsz Polar Institute is an unmistakable part of the University of Groningen: as ‘northern’ university, we conduct research in and on the ‘North’. The Willem Barentsz Polar Institute was founded in 2007-2008 – the international Polar Year – as a logical next step after 35 years of polar research by the Arctic Centre of the University of Groningen. The WBPI was founded in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and it puts together several research disciplines, among which climatology, geology, (marine) biology, oceanography and ecology. Within the University of Groningen, several research institutes take part in the WBPI: the Arctic Centre, the department of Animal ecology of the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies , the Ocean Ecosystems research group and the Centre for Isotope Research.

 

The Arctic Centre has been involved in polar research for 35 years. It is headed by Professor Louwrens Hacquebord, who actively participates in the public debate and policy formulation on global warming.

 

“Working at the frontiers of knowledge is not just the slogan of the University of Groningen, it is also exactly what we do on the poles. We literally work at the frontiers there. Knowing and understanding what happens on the poles is vital to the Netherlands. The exact impact of climate change is still unclear, but when the polar caps melt, our country will almost definitely have to deal with severe consequences.”

 

For options in giving to the Willem Barentsz Polar Institute, click here. You may also contact Ms. Rhoda Schuling of the Ubbo Emmius Foundation (0031-(0)50-363 7564 / r.schuling@rug.nl).

PS in the summer of 2009 there was a unique trip to Spitsbergen. More information.

In collaboration with De Culturele Onderneming