Antarctic News and Announcment

Good news for inhabitants of this planet and the environment.  "Antarctic Ozone Layer is Finally Healing", says Chris Mooney in the Washington Post. http://wapo.st/2bOo9Zi

.."And the Ozone Layer over the Antarctic continent is getting better directly because of our choices and policies." I think it's important to celebrate our small wins. 

Also, Colleen O'Connor, who was killed by a car last week. She won an award for the article on George W. Gibbs, Jr., right before I left for Antarctica in 2012.

bit.ly/zCajcA

She inspired and helped me in many ways. RIP Colleen.

The World's Last Pristine Ocean

It's February 2012.  While in Antarctica, I learn that the Ross Sea is the most pristine ocean on our planet.  I can't imagine how beautiful it was when my father was there in the early 1940's.  Unfortunately, corporations/humans don't seem to stop at the idea of keeping something pristine.

The Antarctic Toothfish is sought after and it lives in the Ross Sea. The name is disguised as Chilean Sea Bass.  Yes,  when we eat this fish, we risk over fishing and polluting an important ocean ecosystem in Antarctica.  Krill oil is popular now.  Whales and other sea life depend on an abundance of krill in the ocean.  Here's a report on the facts.  Please avoid using krill oil for a supplement and eating Chilean Sea Bass!

"Protecting Krill protects the Antarctic Wilderness"

https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.sumofus.org/images/Krill_report_SumOfUs_2015.pdf

Here's a petition to sign

http://action.sumofus.org/a/walgreens-boots-krill/2/6/?akid=16543.9138827.gfGmBp&rd=1&sub=fwd&t=3

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

Whales and Dolphins on My MInd this Week

War of the Whales is an outstanding account of the war between the environment and the military.
I highly recommend this book, if you want to know how activists are fighting to keep whales alive.  Careful, it's very graphic, just like war.
http://warofthewhales.com

On a lighter note, I've seen my friends make bubble rings in the ocean. I've never seen whales and dolphins do it.  Such grace.

Think Ecology-This Italian Building is Exciting.

http://www.fastcoexist.com/3031760/this-building-will-suck-up-smog-like-it-was-a-forest#1

More About Life in Antarctica

I'm rereading the news of "life buried under Antarctic lake". Three lakes are now drilled. Vostok, Ellsworth and Whillans. See photos of Ellsworth. Subglacial Lake Whillans is on the southeastern edge of the Ross Sea. The first ever, useable water samples from below the Antarctic ice sheet. They confirmed about 1000 bacteria per 1/5 of a teaspoon of lake water. This means life can live in most any condition. "Everywhere we look, whether it is in the sunlit coral reefs of tropical waters or beneath Antarctica shrouded in eternal darkness, we find unique ecosystems that we need to understand and protect." -Professor Alex Rogers of Oxford University's Department of Zoology Where will life be in 40 years?

Chasing Ice Calving

The film Chasing Ice was in Denver Nov. 2012.  It's not showing anywhere near here, at the moment.  So, we can watch the calving of the Ilulissat Glacier in Western Greenland, to comprehend the magnitude of glacier melting.  The glacier is not frozen in time any more! Watch about 3 min. in to see a surprise emerge. My plan is to host a screening mid 2013. You can too. http://www.chasingice.com/

24th Polar Libraries Colloquy

What a thrill to meet a global polar community, dedicated to preserving
past, present and future of our polar regions!  I did the closing keynote last week for 24th Polar Libraries Colloquy.  They bring together librarians, archivists, researchers and others interested in the cold regions of our planet.
 I'm making plans for the next conference in Cambridge UK, 2014.

Antarctic Seals

It's hard to see the seals in some of these pictures. While taking pictures and being in awe of the environment, I almost walked into the camouflaged seals!  Of course these pics are closeups. With great guides on this trek,

they helped me look up at just the right time.  No doubt, Antarctica is wilderness!!.

From National Archives:Weddell seals, Melchoir Islands.  My father was here. Doesn't look much different.

Seeing Patterns

Going to the continent gave me a perspective I didn't get from reading my father's journals, books and dairies of others.  While watching the film Eight Below last night, I realize I see a pattern of Antarctica, I didn't previously have. The film shows the landscape, wildlife and challenges of community, survival, courage and friendship.  For the first time, the pieces I've been gathering make sense to me.

Postage Stamps

Passport stamps

I understand the importance of preserving paradise at the bottom of the earth.  Robert Swan, 2041 connects youth, corporate leaders and influencers to the continent.  The goal is, after being there, you will advocate for the continuation of the Antarctic treaty in 2041.  As of today, Swan's website posts 29 years and counting, before the decision to preserve or mine Antarctica