(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection - Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Corner)

Antarctica, known as the South Pole, is the coldest, windiest and most remote of the seven continents. Its name comes from the Greek meaning “opposite to the bear.” It has no native peoples and no polar bears but is home to about five million penguins. Whales, seals and sea birds are important parts of the ecosystem. In the 1770s, Captain James Cook was the first person to circumnavigate the continent. Later expeditions were searching for commercial opportunities, hunting for seals or whales. In the early 20th Century, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and British explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackelton each led major scientific expeditions racing to be the first to arrive. Amundsen’s was the first on Dec. 14, 1911. Scott arrived over a month later, Jan. 17, 1912. He and his companions perished on the return journey. Shackelton, who held the “furthest south” record set in January 1909, turned around for the second time.

Scientific expeditions to Antarctica are a continuing tradition. Twenty nine countries operate over 70 year-round and/or seasonal summer-only scientific research stations, which are scattered across the continent and the surrounding islands. Most humans are deployed to the stations during the Antarctic summer which includes 24 hour day light and mild temperatures of 32°F. From November through March about 5,000 scientists and research support staff work there. During the harsher winter months of April through October, with total darkness and extreme cold temperatures of -76°F and lower, only about 1,000 are in residence. The United States operates three permanent year-round bases and two research vessels as well as constructing additional temporary field stations during the summer.

The US. Antarctic Program (USAP) is led by the National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs (OPP). OPP staff manage the operation of U.S. research programs that deploy roughly 3,000 people to Antarctica annually. These participants include scientists, support staff, military personnel and other federal agencies. Also included are artists, writers, and educators who partner with researchers to broaden public awareness of Antarctica as well as members of the media who report on Antarctic science. USAP deploys only the participants who contribute directly to duties related to. research. Other staff who help support scientific operations but are not involved in research tasks are hired, trained and transported under the Antarctic Support Contract, managed by a private contractor.

The scale of Antarctic science is immense and includes studying the crisis of global warming. The archive locked in the thick ice sheet tells what the planets climate has been like over almost a million years. Ice core records have unprecedented detail about the causes of changes. Marine and lake sediments reveal patterns that are key to unraveling the effects of these changes on species. Sadly, Antarctica’s ice is melting at an accelerating rate. This is driven by warming oceans eroding the ice shelves. This ice sheet loss is a major contributor to sea levels rising twice as fast as previous decades. Also, Antarctic ice’s purity was unmatched anywhere else in the world but it is no longer considered “pristine.” It now contains measurable amounts of microplastics and pollutants from global industrial activity.

Although it is very costly, thousands of tourists visit Antarctica during the summer months to enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife. These visitors book travel through private companies for sightseeing, adventuring and similar activities. Visitors must not disrupt the long-term residents in any way, whether wildlife or human. Special boots are required and while outdoors, touching anything, kneeling or sitting are strictly forbidden. The Antarctic Treaty, in force since 1959, regulates all activities and designates the continent as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science.” All military and industrial activities are banned. While the present treaty is in force, no acts or activities taking place shall constitute a basis for asserting, supporting or denying a claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica or create any rights of sovereignty in Antarctica. The environmental standards are set forth by the Protocol on Environmental Protection, which was developed by consensus by representatives of the Antarctic Treaty nations. The protocol designates the basic guidelines for all human activity on the continent and all have laws in force in their respective home legislation to govern their citizens accordingly. Antarctica is a model of international cooperation for the common good.

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Giulia Mannarino of Belleville, is a grandmother concerned about her two granddaughters’ futures and a member of Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action.