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https://theconversation.com/doing-science-in-antarctica-has-harmed-an-environment-under-great-pressure-heres-how-we-can-do-better-211616>
"Scientific research in Antarctica has played a key role in many important
discoveries of the past century. But it has also come at a considerable cost to
the environment.
Science in Antarctica is typically based at one of the 77 research stations.
While their role is to support science, their isolation means they need to
provide the infrastructure of a town.
As well as the local impacts of these stations, the Antarctic environment is
facing massive challenges from external pressures such as climate change. The
loss of sea ice could mean some of the continent’s most iconic wildlife face
extinction this century. For example, the early melting of sea ice recently led
to complete breeding failure at several emperor penguin colonies.
So how can we keep doing research in Antarctica while minimising our impact on
the environment? This question led to our new research published in the
Journal of Environmental Management.
We found little evidence of conservation planning and few limits on permissible
activities such as building new stations, despite Antarctica being declared a
natural reserve. This has left plenty of room to improve planning, technology
and research methods to reduce impacts on the fragile Antarctic environment."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
