3-30-2007

Contact: Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276

President of Iceland will visit Ohio State Monday to launch research collaborative

Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson is available to meet with media following official signing of agreement

The president of Iceland will visit the Ohio State University campus on Monday (4/2) to sign agreements with the university to help study land degradation issues that have been impacting the country for centuries. Iceland President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson will join Ohio State President Karen A. Holbrook at a 10 a.m. signing ceremony and media availability at The Blackwell Inn, Ballroom B/C, 2110 Tuttle Park Place.

Environmental erosion currently affects 40 percent of Iceland. The agreement between Ohio State, the Icelandic Office of the President and the University of Iceland will create partnerships that help restore the country's soil fertility, raise awareness about land degradation and human misuse, and implement sequestered carbon to aid in offsetting carbon emissions.

Grímsson will also present "The Challenges of Climate Change: Iceland, a Laboratory for Global Solutions" at 2 p.m. Monday (4/2) at the Wexner Center for the Arts Film/Video Theatre, 1871 N. High St.

WHAT: Ohio State and Iceland to form agreements to help the country study and resolve land-use issues

WHO: Ohio State President Karen A. Holbrook and Iceland President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson

WHEN: 10 a.m. on Monday (4/2)

WHERE: The Blackwell Inn, Ballroom B/C, 2110 Tuttle Park Place


Media Note: Plan to arrive 20 minutes prior to the availability to address required
security measures.