![On the back of a Dragonfly [B&W]](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6128449851_14ec409b56_s.jpg "On the back of a Dragonfly [B&W]")
Greenland, Day 11: Call from the Prince
This morning, while I was still tucked in my sleeping bag with the tent's ceiling dangling mere inches above my nose, I'm able to confirm that Alain is weird. After a raucous night of wind flapping the walls of our collapsed tent--sounding much like a bad drummer--Alain tells me that he slept like a baby. That it had been his best night yet!
While I'm still processing this absurd comment, he tells me that he has to turn on his phone--that he's expecting a call from Albert. Albert, I will soon find out, is the Prince of Monaco. He's also a friend of Alain's who happens to also be in Greenland at the moment. Alain and Prince Albert share the same passion for defending the polar environment. Prince Albert has visited the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica, the world's first zero emission research station, which Alain and his colleagues at the International Polar Foundation have built. And the Prince is also heavily involved with the Aspen Institute's Dialogue and Commission on Arctic Climate Change. This Commission is working to address three objectives:
After Alain wraps up his call and the wind dies, we extract ourselves from the tent and find that a beautiful day has replaced the dreaded winds. We take advantage of the good conditions and favorable terrain--we're skiing slightly downhill, and we cover 33 kilometers in 10 hours. Towards the end of the day, we see some rocky mountains on the horizon. Any feature on the landscape is a welcome change, and we get an exhilarated feeling probably similar to that of a sailor seeing land after weeks at sea.
While I'm still processing this absurd comment, he tells me that he has to turn on his phone--that he's expecting a call from Albert. Albert, I will soon find out, is the Prince of Monaco. He's also a friend of Alain's who happens to also be in Greenland at the moment. Alain and Prince Albert share the same passion for defending the polar environment. Prince Albert has visited the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica, the world's first zero emission research station, which Alain and his colleagues at the International Polar Foundation have built. And the Prince is also heavily involved with the Aspen Institute's Dialogue and Commission on Arctic Climate Change. This Commission is working to address three objectives:
- Examine the implications of impending climate changes for the Arctic, its peoples and resources — with particular attention paid to the marine environment — and the related impacts on the global community.
- Assess the adequacy of current multilateral arrangements, as well as the most current scientific understanding of Arctic systems, in support of a goal to affirmatively balance and sustainably manage social, environmental, and economic impacts in the region related to climate change.
- Make recommendations for greater international cooperation in regulating human activities affecting the Arctic region and marine environment.
After Alain wraps up his call and the wind dies, we extract ourselves from the tent and find that a beautiful day has replaced the dreaded winds. We take advantage of the good conditions and favorable terrain--we're skiing slightly downhill, and we cover 33 kilometers in 10 hours. Towards the end of the day, we see some rocky mountains on the horizon. Any feature on the landscape is a welcome change, and we get an exhilarated feeling probably similar to that of a sailor seeing land after weeks at sea.
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C'est bien beau les amis de faire de la luge dans le grand nord mais vous n'évoquez pas l'essentiel. Il parait que les Inuits ont une tradition d'accueil très poussée...info ou intox ? Quoiqu'il en soit bravo à tous les 2. Votre expédition nous fait rêver et réfléchir.
Hug
est ce qu un autre prince pourrait appeler larry ? je le sens amer sur ce sujet
treve de plaisanterie : bravo pour ce trip qui avait l air topissime
avez vous du faire des sondages et autres calculs savants afin d mesurer l impact du rechauffement sur le glacier Humboldt ?
What are you using for power for phone, computer, gps? do you have a hand crank generator?
I have enjoyed following your journey!
Lawrence (Larry) Lunt is a private investor from Belgium who operates the U.S. arm of his family's business, Armonia. Armonia focuses entirely on innovative, sustainable investments ranging from direct investments in individual companies to investments in private and public
...Lawrence (Larry) Lunt is a private investor from Belgium who operates the U.S. arm of his family's business, Armonia. Armonia focuses entirely on innovative, sustainable investments ranging from direct investments in individual companies to investments in private and public equity funds as well as sustainable hedge funds.
In 2007, Armonia helped seed the launch of TBL (triple bottom line) Capital, a venture capital fund focused on the needs of entrepreneurs who place equal value on people, planet, and profit. TBL Capital is a core investment of the Armonia strategy.
Engagement in education: Lunt is an active member of the board of several schools, including the Convent of Sacred Heart of Greenwich, where he founded the Barat Foundation to educate students in philanthropy. He helped restart the international education program Up With People, a youth program with over 30,000 alumni around the world building bridges of understanding to promote world peace. He also helped launch World Campus International, an education program for students offering unique access to Japan. Lunt also helped launch Ashoka in Belgium. Ashoka promotes the world’s leading social entrepreneurs.
Environmental engagement: Lunt has a strong interest in preserving the Arctic, which he visits every year. He is a member of NRDC's Global Leadership Council, as well as the Belgian International Polar Foundation.
Lunt has a degree in Economics from Louvain University in Belgium and an MBA from Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.
He and his wife, Victoria Lunt, have three daughters, ages 15, 14, and 9.
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