Powerful Poem called RISE about Climate Change

Climate activists and poets, Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner and Aka Niviana write and perform in Greenland about rising seas and melting ice. When so much information speaks to our minds and logic, this powerful poem called RISE, touches hearts. Art is key for understanding how our world is changing.

Published in The Guardian and on YouTube.

Who Makes a Difference?- We do

Antarctica is a peaceful kingdom, writes Dian Olsen Belanger in her book, Deep Freeze.

Science is the primary focus for the Icy Continent. We learn about space, earth's changing climate, life sciences, ecosystems--every thinkable aspect of science can be researched at the bottom of the world. We also enlighten ourselves about humans under extreme conditions when we study Antarctica.
The Antarctic Treaty is an important accomplishment in the 20th century. The world came together to protect one place on earth from war, politics, mining and exploitation. We continue the "how did this happen?!" thought, with our new Paris Agreement. I love it when the world collectively determines something positive for our future. Critics say it's not enough. Like the Antarctic Treaty, the fact that we have this agreement is a feat worth celebrating. Over 100 countries in agreement and counting.

As I reflect on the success of Admiral Byrd's III expedition to the South Pole, I'm reminded that the human side of any endeavor can make or break the most well thought out plan. 125 men and 80 dogs found ways to cope with the harshness of their voyage because they each did their part and relied on the other.

George W. Gibbs Jr., said it was the best time in his life. Gibbs was 23 when he sailed on the USS Bear. When I first heard this, as his daughter, I felt disappointed that it didn't include me (haha).
The trip was well before he was married with family. After all the amazing things he experienced, Antartica was it! Count down Day 2 until his 100th birthday.

Remember every day, we make the difference in our future.

Miles to other world cities from King George Island 2012 ©Leilani Henry

Nature Rules OK? New Antarctica Musical in Hobart Australia

Today, I'm hyperaware of the line between life and death in Antarctica. Some have said it's not life and death any more on the Ice. Not true!

Gordon Hamilton, a prominent climate scientist, died from a snow mobile accident, in late October. He fell into a 100 ft deep crevasse. Crevasses are one of the primary hazards on the continent. You can be super skillful and still fall prey to the landscape.

and Yes, Nature does Rule. Antarctic scientist, Dana Bergstrom, an Australian survivor of a fatal sewer gas leak, wrote and produced a New Antarctica Musical. She vowed, if she survived, to share in a more dramatic way, why Antarctica is the 'canary in the coal mine' on our planet. If you live near Hobart, it's playing until 11/12/16.

I hope these posts help you be more engaged with our precious bottom of the world.

I know I need to do more, many people are waiting for me to finish my writing project. Thanks for your support!

Leilani Henry speaking to students at a CO Middle school ©Leilani Henry

Antarctica-Past, Present and Future: Count Down to Gibbs 100th Birthday

One week to go to 11/7/16- This would be George W. Gibbs, Jr's 100th Birthday.

Best news this year for Antarctica: The most pristine waters in the world are now protected! http://bbc.in/2f6d1G3

Gibbs sailed to the Ross Ice Shelf with Admiral Richard E. Byrd's III expedition to the South Pole, in 1940. Where icebergs look like castles and penguins love to play. Thankfully, after 76 years, we still have these sights. For the next 35 years, the protections remain. Antarctica is melting. We're more aware of what that might mean for the planet.

We need to save the world's last frontier. This is a perfect step.

Glacier Melting Changes the Earth's Gravity

Yes, collectively humanity weighs 316 million tons ( 287 metric tons).  Each year for three years, the glacial melt was 204 billion tons (185 metric tons).  Can you feel the shift?

Read more

DailyBeast - Bluegreen Pictures/Alamy

U.N. Climate Summit Film-What's Possible?

In case you didn't see this. It paints a vision of what the future could look like for the planet.

 http://www.takepart.com/video/2014/09/17/whats-possible-un-climate-summit-opening-film?cmpid=longtailshare

Well Said- "Why Do We Keep Pushing the Snooze Button on Climate Change?"

This article points out that climate change isn't about the numbers. It's about how we view nature and the priorities of our current life problems.  I maintain that if we think of ourselves as interconnected and responsible for how we shape our future,  we may have more success.

 "Why Do We Keep Pushing the Snooze Button on Climate Change?"  Provocative Climate Change Article with references. http://bit.ly/WmBImt

Wolf as Teacher!

Have you seen how wolves change rivers?  http://bit.ly/1ehB3sa  
This shows the interconnection of all things.  What if you, as a human, could have this kind of impact?  Maybe you already do.

Ocean Acidification and Small Fish

I knew about the rise of ocean acidification.  I didn't know the sea is absorbing CO2.  http://bit.ly/1ef4pZ6

This is a stunning depiction of fish back in 1958. Are shrinking fish due to ocean acidification?  Check this from RadioLab. The size of fish now are smaller. http://wny.cc/1gsKnJb

It makes me think about shrinking ice.  

Climate Change Extremes Simplified

Polar Vortex Explained in 2 minutes  http://youtu.be/5eDTzV6a9F4

Nine of the 10 hottest years on record have occurred since 2000, reports NASA.  from TakePart   http://bit.ly/1eoHc1r

The conversation for me starts with- What does this mean for how we collectively create our future?  My interest lies in the ways our thoughts and feelings shift as we learn.

Pine Island Glacier Reaches Tipping Point?

Here's the latest on the Antarctic glacier that impacts sea level rise the most.  http://bit.ly/1cuLVgG

Global Warming Controversy

Since the recent rescue of the ships in Antarctica, climate change conversations include the sea ice around Antarctica.  Pundits have made clear their continued skepticism of the concept that the planet is warming.  Here are four myths debunking the notion that no significant warming is occuring. From The Weather Channel : Polar Vortex and Climate Change

NASA/GISS

http://wxch.nl/1huuTVx

Are You Cold Enough?

Stunning cold everywhere. Antarctica broke the 2010 world record cold.  It's -135 degrees F.

http://cbsn.ws/18VCCLU

I love getting Antarctica news from others. Keeps me on my toes!

Will We Ever Agree on Climate Change?

We know it's a controversial topic. Read this http://read.bi/1iwCXbX.  The article is written by Live Science writer, Michael Mann, with the headline: Climate Scientist Rips Into The New York Times For Their Coverage Of Global Warming.  I wish we would focus on solving the right problems rather than arguing about the cause.

Unexpected Volcano Found In Antarctica

I thought this was old news.  I already know about active volcanoes in Antarctica.  After reading this article in Science Daily, http://bit.ly/1faCycW,  I must have been dreaming about hot water that's one kilometer under the ice.  Scientists say that Antarctica is more active than they imagined.  Here's another article about how this may effect sea rise. ocean. http://bit.ly/1fZCc6o

Let's stay respectful of Nature. This week, we've had an unusual amount of tornadoes in the Midwest United States.  10 days ago, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. Yesterday, Antarctica has an active volcano that's melting the ice from below.  Exciting and unexpected times, in which we live.  I'm grateful for new learning.  
Be well.

Edward Burtynsky Says It Best Through Pictures-What's Up with OUR Water?

Today in Fast Company magazine --Edward Burtynsky, famous Canadian photographer captures The Horror And Beauty In Our Relationship With Water. http://bit.ly/1b964c2 

We know we all need water.  I'm painfully reminded of what we're doing to it.  Dr. Emoto shows the possibilities.  Let's focus on them. http://bit.ly/1a5lxfp

Did Climate Change Play a Part?

Everyone's clicking on this link this a.m.  http://huff.to/164CXnn  The punch line is yes.  Check the map of your U.S. region to see how much the down pours increased since 1950. Hint- the N.E. United States increased the most.

Rain in Colorado

It's Friday the 13th, 2013.  My friend from New Orleans who's family survived Katrina says, "I never imagined that my sister would be calling to see if I'm OK because of rain."  My taxi driver makes a joke about the rain here-- "Since it'll be raining for 6 days total, we've got 34 days to Noah's ark"  I say, "Stay dry" to my friends in harms way. Do you know that a 5,000 pound car can float away in 12 inches of water?  If this rain were heavy, wet snow, we'd have 10 feet.   This is the largest amount of rainfall, in a September, for Boulder.  Also, it's the most rainfall ever, in one day there.  Our Colorado norm for humidity it 24%.  No doubt the earth is changing.

10,000 days to the Renegotiation of the Antarctic Treaty-Robert Swan 2041

Robert Swan and 2041 posted on Facebook today, August 16, 2013

"10,000 days from today, it will be the year 2041. What will you be doing for the next 10,000 days to ensure that we leave one place alone- Antarctica?"  

I believe this is critical for the future of humanity and the planet.  Let's leave one place on earth where wilderness is mostly untouched.

Adapt in Order to Thrive

So exciting!  A paper just published about "Organisms In 33.6 Million Year Old Ice Pack Evolved To Survive", reported by Lawrence LeBlond for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online.  The organisms were among few species that adapted when Antarctica turned from tropical to ice.