The sixth climate symposium in Ny Ålesund was held from 21 to 23 May. It is an almost annual meeting since 2006 between company leaders, politicians and scientists, including Norwegian trade minister Trond Giske and E.ON CEO Johannes Teyssen. Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the UN, had to cancel his participation on short warning. His speech was transmitted via video screen to the symposium. Pachauri emphasized that the average global temperature rose by 0,74 % during the 20th century and if this trend is to continue, a 2,5°C rise until the end of the 21 century would be the result. An estimated 20-30 % of the global human population would loose their homes as a consequence.
The symposium does not produce major breakthrough decisions. Norway’s trade minister Giskke sent a doubtful signal these days when denoting that he might be open for long-term coal mining in Spitsbergen. So far observers commonly understand that the recently opened coal mine at Lunckefjellet is to be Spitsbergen’s last one.
The sixth climate symposium in Ny Ålesund was as always held under Roald Amundsen’s watchful eyes.