Poet Laureate in the Arctic

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Simon Armitage is in the Arctic to witness climate change and write new poems in response.

Simon Armitage is in the Arctic, to see for himself what's happening in a part of the world that's so crucial to the climate change debate, and to write new poems in response.

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Poet Laureate in the Arctic: Episode 2

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - Poet Laureate in the Arctic, Episode 2

Poet laureate Simon Armitage visits the UK Arctic research station in Ny-Ålesund.

Simon Armitage is at the UK Arctic research station in Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard, by some measures the world's most northerly community. He spends time with research scientists working in the field to look at what's going on in this part of the globe, which is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet.

As he tours the base with geologist Jane Francis, CEO of the British Antarctic Survey, he is shown the colourful huts in which scientists from 11 different nations work on projects and long-term observation monitoring.

Geir Wing Gabrielsen, a senior research scientist at the Norwegian Polar Institute, has been studying the Atlantification of the Kongsfjorden in Svalbard in recent years. He discusses his work with the diminishing populations of northern seabirds such as fulmars and their consumption of large amounts of plastic in the water.

As well as experiencing the Arctic for himself and seeing what's happening there, Simon is trying to capture the majesty and vulnerability of this region in new poems written in response to what he finds.

With Professor Jane Francis, CEO the British Antarctic Survey 
Iain Rudkin, station leader, the Natural Environment Research Council Arctic Research station 
Professor Geir Wing Gabrielsen, Norwegian Polar Institute

Producer Susan Roberts

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