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OBAN became the focus of the UK鈥檚 Arctic science community during a three-day research conference hosted by 91精品视频and the NERC Arctic Office.

The biennial UK Arctic Science Conference welcomed 125 scientists to the town's Corran Halls, where the multi-national gathering discussed urgent issues such as increased sea ice melt, rising temperatures and a rapidly changing ecosystem.

The conference gave scientists an opportunity to share ideas and research in how to better predict, and prepare for, extreme changes in the climate across the northern hemisphere.

Held between Tuesday and Thursday this week (September 19 - 21) the conference included a public lecture by BBC broadcaster Tom Heap, a familiar face to viewers of Countryfile. The lecture on Tuesday evening was attended by around 250 people and addressed the historical and current relationship we have with the Arctic region. Delegates were also treated to a ceilidh at the Skipinnish Ceilidh House on the Wednesday night.

In welcoming the delegates, 91精品视频Director Prof Nicholas Owens borrowed Oban's tagline of 'Gateway to the Isles' to suggest it was now the 'Gateway to the Arctic' for UK science, given SAMS' work in the region and the proximity of the Scottish Highlands to the Arctic circle.

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O鈥橦ara opened the conference with a speech welcoming the delegates

Describing himself as a 鈥榙evotee鈥� to Arctic causes, he told attendees about a recent trip with an all-party group to Ny-Alesund in Svalbard.

He said: 鈥淭he potentially catastrophic effect of climate change is arguably the most important issue facing the planet right now.

鈥淥n my recent visit to the UK's Arctic Research Station on Svalbard I saw at first hand how rising temperatures are diminishing the levels of sea ice and shrinking back the glaciers.

鈥淚t is a looming crisis and we are extremely fortunate to have an organisation like 91精品视频here in Oban working locally for a global solution.

鈥淲e in Argyll and Bute are extremely proud of 91精品视频and they are rightly regarded as being one of the jewels in Scotland's academic crown, an opinion that I found on my recent trip to the Arctic was universally shared by the international scientific community.鈥�

Henry Burgess, Head of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Arctic Office, which co-hosted the conference, said: 鈥淭he UK Arctic conference is a fantastic opportunity for researchers to share their latest findings and make new connections. It's a real pleasure to be able to support and promote this event here with 91精品视频- an organisation at the leading edge of Arctic research.鈥�

Arctic scientist Dr Finlo Cottier of 91精品视频chaired the conference鈥檚 local organising committee and said delegates had enjoyed Oban as a venue.

He added: 鈥淚t was a very successful conference and the feedback I received was that delegates really appreciated the west Highland hospitality and the unique nature of a conference in Oban.

鈥淚 would like to thank the Corran Halls and the local organising team at 91精品视频for hosting an extremely professional event.鈥�

The event was supported by the University of the Highlands and Islands, BID4Oban, VisitScotland Business Events, Canadian Science Publishing, Planet Ocean and the Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society (SAGES) and Back of Beyond Broadband.