Dark Snow Project 2015: Field Season About to Begin
May 18, 2015
Dr. Jason Box, above, gives a quick update on where we are now with Dark Snow Project.
First, yes, we are going back to Greenland.
The most exciting news that we can only partially share is this – a well-known foundation has decided to fund the greatest part of Dark Snow’s needs this season. We can’t say who it is until they are ready to make their own announcement.
What this means for those who have supported us in the previous two years, is that your support has been very worthwhile. Dark Snow Project has demonstrably moved the needle on press coverage of the Greenland Ice sheet, and the feedback effects from black carbon, wildfire soot, and biological activity that seem to be speeding up melt, and consequent sea level rise.
Dark Snow’s work has been covered in dozens if not hundreds of media outlets, including NBC News, Rolling Stone, PBS Nova, HBO and Vice News. Below, see Dr. Box’s interview with Bill Maher from last summer.
Bottom line – although the majority of our goals are funded, we still have some items on our wishlist, and we hope those who have supported us in the past will understand how far we’ve been able to make that support go – and stay with us in this new, very ambitious season. If you wish to help out, we hope you’ll make a tax deductible contribution thru the Dark Snow website here.
May 19, 2015 at 1:32 am
With early Alaskan forest fires, it is possible that Greenland albedo is headed one direction. DOWN.
Alex
May 21, 2015 at 9:28 pm
Don’t forget the Siberian fires last month—their smoke covered most pf the U.S. at one point, and got to Greenland as well. The 2015 northern hemisphere wildfire season is expected to start earlier, last longer, and be worse than past years. Greenland = Blackland.
May 19, 2015 at 10:00 am
Every year of continued melting makes it increasingly dangerous to be out there. In light of the two scientists who disappeared in Antarctica, I was wondering if safety was an increasing concern.
May 21, 2015 at 5:58 pm
Unless there were two others lost, the scientists you are talking about were sledding across the open ocean in the Canadian Archipelago when they ran onto thin ice. The lone survivor was their sled dog/watchdog that was picked up off of an ice floe. The body of the leader, Cornelissen, has been recovered, but no sign of de Roo who celebrated his 30th birthday one week before on the ice.
http://www.theguardian.com/vital-signs/2015/may/01/deaths-arctic-researchers-ice-climate-change-cornelissen
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/thinning-arctic-ice-proves-deadly-for-veteran-explorers1/
May 22, 2015 at 4:44 pm
Peter Great news that you are able to return to Greenland. Hope to hear a report maybe this fall. So much is happening it is hard to keep up! Be safe. ann
May 23, 2015 at 3:16 am
I’m really glad to hear that a major foundation is at least part funding the wonderful work that the “Dark Snow” carries out. I know Jason Box works hard at fund raising and will participate in an educating Greenland cruise expedition, later this year.
Climate change seems to be accelerating exponentially at both polar regions, so your 2015 reports will be eagerly awaited for.
It is good to hear from a non-scientist in plain language the astounding changes that are happening in our lifetime.