Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 12/11/2006 - 07:15
Forums
Oden Antarctic Expedition 06

Ute,

 Could you please give a status report of what you see now and what was seen in the last five years with regard to global warming...how has it affected the environment [if any ?]

Thanks, Alejandro Flores, M. Ed, ESL Lab Coordinator, Hanna High School

Sun, 01/21/2007 - 17:15

Ute Kaden

 Hi Alejandro in the ESL lab,
The data we collect on this cruise will be added to the databases which are used to produce models for climate change. Antarctica has parts that got slightly warmer and parts that got actually colder in the last century. Some ice shelves in the northernmost part of Antarctica—the Antarctic Peninsula—have been collapsing in recent years, consistent with the rapid warming trend there since 1945. However, continent wide there is little evidence for increased melting of the land-based ice sheet.
We know that greenhouse gases and aerosols are changing the composition of the atmosphere. The changes in the atmosphere have likely influenced temperature, precipitation, storms and sea level. However, these features of the climate also vary naturally, so determining what fraction of climate changes are due to natural variability versus human activities is challenging.When I was in the Arctic in 2005, the global warming impact was much more visible . (Permafrost, extend of the sea ice cover…). Again, how much humans contribute to the change is not clear. How and how fast climate will change in the future is the big question. Are we prepared, should we prepare, can we prepare? Lots of questions…
    One thing is for sure, we all like to breathe fresh air and drink clean water. We like and need biodiversity on earth. Look at Houston, Port Arthur, Beaumont - the Golden triangle, TX- The only thing golden on some days is the air heavily polluted by the oil refineries. We need to work together and find solutions. I hope that some of our students study in the environment science field to protect our wonderful planet and secure workplaces in business and industry for people. To close everything is not an answer either.

Thanks for the good question,
Come to A 109 and see me ,
Best wishes,
Ute