Today we crossed the Antarctic Circle, located at approximately 66 degrees, 33 minutes South Latitude. This is the latitude where the sun does not set (you would have 24 hours of daylight) on the longest day of the year (summer solstice) in the southern hemisphere. Summer solstice in the southern hemisphere is around Dec 21. This is the shortest day of the year (winter solstice) in the northern hemisphere.

We had the chance to visit Detaille Island, located at 66 degrees, 52 minutes South Latitude. We were able to get this far south because the typical ice conditions in Antarctica are changing. It is not usual that expedition ships can travel this far south even in summer. The climate is changing and the ice is melting.

As most of us are aware of these days, greenhouses gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) have been increasing in our atmosphere for the past 200 years, since the start of the Industrial Revolution. Carbon dioxide has increased more than 25% in that period. It is true that there have been warming periods and cooling periods throughout the Earth’s history, but it is the view of many scientists (most?) that human activities have contributed significantly to the warming of the planet. If that is the case we should do whatever we can to slow down or reduce the trend.

One of the greatest concerns related to climate change is the melting of the ice in both the Arctic and the Antarctic. If the ice on Antarctica were to disappear, two things would happen. Antarctica remember is a continent (rock) and due to the immense weight of the ice on top of it, the bedrock has been depressed by several hundred metres. If the ice were to be removed completely (by melting for example) it is estimated that Antarctica would rise by between 500 and 1000 metres. Don’t worry though, the North American continent has been doing just that for the past many thousands of years following the last ice age! The process takes a long time. But, at the same time, the water produced by the melting of ice could raise the Earth’s oceans by up to 60 metres (200 feet) flooding huge areas of the planet. This flooding would happen quickly and that is one of the main concerns related to climate change.

If you haven’t already, rent and watch “An Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore. Discuss it with your family and friends and talk about things that you can do to encourage or create a carbon neutral lifestyle. Think about how our actions in North America, and in other parts of the world, may influence or impact Antarctica and other parts of the planet.