UMaine climate change researcher honored

The Associated Press

ORONO — A University of Maine climate change researcher who visited Antarctica as a graduate student in 1968 is being honored for his work there.

The organization that coordinates most international scientific study on the continent honored Paul Mayewski on Wednesday for his decades of research.

Mayewski was one of three scientists to receive medals during the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research's 2006 meeting in Tasmania, off the Australian coast. Based in the United Kingdom, the committee comprises 41 nations that initiates, develops and coordinates research in the Antarctic region.

During the past 30-plus years, Mayewski has led more than 35 expeditions to Antarctica and many other remote locations as he examines climate change. He even has a mountain in Antarctica, Mayewski Peak, named after him.

Mayewski, who lives in Castine, is a frequent voice in international news accounts on climate change, has co-authored a book for popular audiences called "The Ice Chronicles," and worked with the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the Museum of Science in Boston on climate change education.

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research singled out Mayewski's founding of a research program called the International Trans-Antarctic Scientific Expedition that aims to reconstruct the climate and chemistry of the continent over the past 200 years.

The program involves scientists from 15 nations.

Gordon Hamilton, a professor of climate studies, said the award is a significant recognition for Mayewski's research and for coordinating international teams.

"As far as I know, they don't give out a whole lot of awards," Hamilton said. "So the fact that Paul got one is quite an honor."