Captain Pete Willcox on the Arctic Sunrise

In summer 2009, the MY Arctic Sunrise sails to the Arctic to document the dire effects climate change has on one of the most fragile environments in the world. Independent scientists use the ship, helicopter, boats and assistance of the crew, to collect data and research the impacts of climate change. During this third section of the three-part tour, the ship travels to Fram Strait and seas to the east of Greenland and north-west of the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard to research the effects of climate change on fast depleting sea ice. That year (2009) the summer sea ice minimum was reported to be the third lowest on record. The depletion of Arctic sea ice has serious implications for many reasons. Loss of sea ice creates a positive feedback effect, when the darker ocean surface is exposed it absorbs more heat, melting the surrounding ice further. The loss of ice also threatens vulnerable species likes polar bears who depend on multi year ice to hunt for seals; their primary food source.