international
polar
foundation

The International Polar Foundation awarded the French-speaking school "Lycée Berlaymont" the IPF special prize during the Energy and Environment Award 2007 ceremony on Friday June 1st.

The Energy and Environment Award 2007 is a yearly event aiming to raise public awareness about various innovative projects of environmental concern. The contest is open to Belgian participants, whether individuals or professionals.

A series of prizes were awarded for outstanding projects and achievements during this special ceremony held at the Brussels Autoworld. Each winner received a trophy and certificate. After a speech by Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, the IPF awarded its special prize to The Lycée Berlaymont, located in Waterloo. "The Lycée of Berlaymont was chosen because the school presented sustainability in its efforts to help the environment and because these efforts were not merely a one-time deal", says IPF director Thierry Touchais.

The project started out by a simple sorting of the school's trash, but ended up with an energy efficiency program which involved the whole school on a voluntary basis. The school's project offers a good example of environmental action and constitutes a good initiative in helping to fight the climate challenge. Moreover, the project is educationally beneficial on the long term, and has been publicly informative.

This private initiative celebrated its second edition. After having started out in Wallonia last year, it grew successfully to include the entire country. The next objective will be to involve the rest of Europe.

A special edition of the Matière Grise RTBF programme will feature a unique document, supported by exclusive images which were filmed during the latest BELARE expedition. It presents the carriage of the first structural elements of the Princess Elisabeth research station which were delivered last winter to the very heart of Antarctica.

The most impressive achievement to be expected from the base is its ability to operate without releasing any polluting emissions, while providing a platform for the most cutting edge research to be undertaken among all branches of polar science. The last BELARE expedition, led by the explorer Alain Hubert, has had to cope with everything the forces of nature could hurl at it. Matière Grise was part of the expedition for no less than five weeks.

On "La Une"

• Wednesday 23rd May 2007, at 10.50 pm
• Thursday 31st May 2007, at 9.00 am

On "La Deux"

• Sunday 27th May 2007, at 8.45 pm
• Monday 28th May 2007, at 10.50 am
• Friday 1st June 2007, at 9.30 am

The IPF was comissionned by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to create a movie for the 2007 World Meteorological Day. The theme of this year was: "Polar meteorology: Understanding global impacts".

In partnership with Michel de Wouters Productions, David Gladsteen and Olivier Malvoisin, the IPF created a documentary presented during the 23rd of March WMO Meeting.

The movie is available in 6 languages (French, English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese anb Arabic) and has been distributed to the WMO offices throughout the world.

Wondering how you can act against Climate Change? This is it! Last week, a massive awareness campaign was launched throughout Belgium in order to raise public interest in the construction of the Princess Elisabeth research station.

This fundraising campaign offers you the opportunity to take part in the IPF's major project, the world's first zero emission research station. This project reflects the Foundation's principal objectives which are to inform, educate and act in the current context of Climate Change.

In the light of the recent "impact" week lead by the IPCC Workgroup II in Brussels, it has become obvious that action must be taken immediately.

Three different "boomerang cards" can be found in various display points across the country. Through your contribution, you will participate in Belgium's return to Antarctica and enable further scientific research on Climate Change to be undergone, starting March 2008.

These Arctic and Antarctic 3D puzzles are aimed at kids from 12 to 14 years old. By showing the various layers of land, ocean and ice, these puzzles will constitute a solid background activity to teach children about the geography as well as the flora and fauna of both Polar Regions. To complement the puzzles, side experiments and discussions about the role of Polar Regions in the climate system are also available to kids and teachers.

After a successful trial phase in Flemish classrooms, these new 3D puzzles representing both the Arctic and Antarctica will be presented at Hidrodoe, the interactive hands-on water activity centre in Herentals (Belgium) on the 17th and 24th of April. They will also be showcased in WetenshapsEXPOscience from the 3rd to the 5th of May. Both puzzles will then be used in subsequent IPF educational activities or events.

These tools have been built and tested by the IPF with the kind support of the "Wetenschap maakt Knap" programme of the Belgian Flemish Government within the framework of its goal to help the general population become more familiar with science and technology.

On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Belgian Meteo Wing, Alain Hubert -Chairman of the IPF - and André Flahaut -Belgian Defence Minister - have signed a framework collaboration agreement regarding the construction of the new Belgian Antarctic Station.

Alain Hubert detailed the concept of the Princess Elisabeth Station, the first "zero emission" station in Antarctica. He also presented the latest BELARE 2006/2007 expedition, which saw the first collaboration between IPF and the Belgian Defence Ministry.

This 2 year agreement sets up the framework for the collaboration between the Belgian Defence Ministry and the International Polar Foundation. The Belgian Defence Ministry will bring its logistic support to the project and will also take this opportunity to develop its expertise in terms of logistics, cartography, communication, meteorology, satellite images and medical assistance.