Antarctica, the ice caps of the earth in the southernmost end of the earth, is
said to be free of rain. It has never rained there continuously until very recently,
which is a cause for concern according to experts familiar with the cold region.
Three environmentalists, including a climate-change specialist, witnessed
continuous rainfall during a recent trip to Antarctica on March 18, 2022.
Robert Swan, from the United States and Order of the British Empire (OBE),
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), and Founder of 2041
Foundation, UN Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, who has been visiting
Antarctica for the past 40 years, said, of the day, “It rained!”
Mr. Swan said that he had seen “a little bit of slush, a little bit of snow” in the past
in Antarctica but he had never seen it rain throughout a day there.
The “2041 Foundation; is an organization that works towards a more sustainable,
clean energy future and organizes visits to Antarctica and hosted the expedition in
March 2022.''
He said that Concordia, a region in the center of Antarctica, is 1448 kilometers
from the pole, recorded a temperature of more than 30 degrees Celsius above
normal that day, the highest ever recorded in any previous year on that specific
day.
The day before, in Svalbard, a region high up in the Arctics, 965 kilometers from
the North Pole, the temperature recorded was 3.9 degrees Celsius against the
normal of -40 degrees Celsius at this time of the year.
He said the rains and the increase in temperature were the impacts of environmental
degradation due to human activity.
Along with more than 150 people from 37 countries, the team who were part of the
2041 Expedition, experienced constant rainfall for a day in Antarctica. Of the
group, 26 were Indians.
Avinash Naryanaswamy, environmentalist and CEO, of Green Law, a biodiesel
manufacturing company based in Bangalore was one of the Indian parts of the
2041 Antarctica expedition, said everyone must be concerned with the unusual
rainfall in Antarctica.
He said, “We are all in this together. We have to work together at the grassroots
level to stop climate change.”
He said planting more trees, changing to more sustainable lifestyles, and reducing
meat consumption as it is more carbon-intense, will help in reducing the warming the
earth.
He said, “Try to be judicious in the use of natural resources and switch to eco-
friendly fuels which is what I am working on (biodiesel).”
Vaibhav Arora, Antarctica Ambassador, Circular Economy, Global Youth Climate
Network (GYCN) Climate Ambassador 2022, who is based in Delhi, thinks the
rain is wreaking havoc with the flora and fauna on the icecap.
He said, “The number of rainy days is increasing year on year in Antarctica. That
is destroying the biodiversity of Antarctica.”
Illustrating the adverse effects of the rainfall on the region’s fauna, he said that
penguins, which have feathers not adapted to rain, are now dying due to alternating
rain and subsequent cold.
He said there is an urgent need to preserve the Antarctic Treaty, which came into
effect in 1998.
What is the Antarctic Treaty?
The main aim of the Antarctic Treaty is to preserve Antarctica as a scientific
preserve and to promote international scientific cooperation in the region. The
treaty recognizes the importance of scientific research in understanding the
Earth's environment and in promoting the well-being of humankind.
He further added, “The melting of glaciers in Antarctica will lead to sea levels
rising. The coastal areas will get submerged under water due to this.”
The icy continent is far away from any known human habitation and very less
impacted by the sun’s rays. Yet, it is recording high-end temperatures. Once again,
it was attributed to anthropogenic emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions and man
have single-handedly managed to change the climate patterns on this planet.
Krills are also another aquatic species that have been affected by rain.
Portugal-based Diogo Caridade, one of the participants of the expedition, said,
“Krills play an important role in the aquatic food chain and they provide a vital
food source for whales, seals, ice fish, and penguins.” This is bound to affect
human life.
What is Krill?
Antarctic krill are small, shrimp-like crustaceans that inhabit the waters
surrounding Antarctica. They are a vital food source for many species of
marine animals, including whales, seals, and penguins. Krill are also
harvested for their oil, which is used in dietary supplements and other
products.
First Person to walk to both the North Pole and the South Pole
Robert Swan is a British explorer, environmentalist, and the first person to
walk to both the North and South Poles. He founded the 2041 Foundation, an
organization focused on promoting sustainable solutions to climate change
and preserving Antarctica. Swan has received numerous awards for his
environmental work, including the Polar Medal and the UN's Global 500
Award. He is a powerful advocate for sustainability and has inspired countless
people around the world to take action to protect the planet.
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