Denmark to open climate university
Denmark plans to open a climate university in Greenland prior to its hosting of the 2009 UN Climate Summit. The university will specialise in research of the polar region, focusing primarily on the causes and effects of climate change and how it can be hindered. 'It is the government's ambition that Denmark has a leading research centre that focuses on the climate issue and global environmental problems,' said Science Minister Helge Sander. 'This is why we are establishing a climate university in Greenland - a place where the effects of climate change are occurring right outside [inhabitants'] doors.' Some scientists believe that the loss of the massive Greenland ice sheet may now be unstoppable. If the Greenland ice sheet melted completely, it would raise global sea levels by seven metres. According to a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the melting should take about 1,000 years. But a recent study by a team at the University of East Anglia in the UK suggested that the break-up could happen sooner, perhaps in 300 years. The new university will have up to 10 researcher positions, and will receive funding of over DKK 70 million (€9.4 million) over five years. 'I have spoken to my Greenlandic colleagues and we are in agreement on the aim of the facility and will be in close dialogue over the next few weeks to work out a reasonable decision basis,' said Mr Sander. The proposal will need to be reviewed by both Greenlandic and Danish experts before the ministry can put together a logistical and financial plan for presentation to the parliament.
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