We are delighted to be supporting such an important scientific expedition at what is a critical time for world climate change negotiations and the future of the polar regions.

Think global, act local is one of the guiding mottos of the Green Guardian campaign. But in this case Pen Hadow's presentation at the south west London Green Guardian awards in November inspired us to do our bit to help achieve something with truly global implications.

The data that Pen Hadow and his team send back from the ice will provide the first accurate, up-to-date, evidence on the state of the Arctic sea ice. This information will influence decisions about what actions the world must take to prevent run-away global warming, and how quickly we must act.

South London has a proud place in polar exploration. The great Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, grew up in Sydenham and went to school at Dulwich College. Pen, Ann and Martin will face many of the same challenges and dangers that he faced in the early C20 - months when the sun barely rises over the horizon, temperatures plunging to -50C, gruelling days hauling 100kg sleds over the ice in the face of howling winds, the fear of falling unprotected into the icy ocean.

Although the ice survey itself relies on space age techonology, they will require exactly the same qualities of courage, commitment and endurance to survive and triumph in one of the world's most inhospitable environments.

On top of the vital science, this expedition is all about teamwork and human endeavour. So we hope that you, like us, will be inspired by what they are trying to achieve, and will want to follow Pen and the team, on this website and in the Green Guardian section of your local newspaper, on their epic journey to the North Pole. - By Sean Duggan, Group Editor