11 July
2006 - The role of Antarctica in the earth’s life
support system will be the focus of leading scientists
when they meet in Hobart this week for a major
international conference for the Antarctic scientific
research and logistic support communities.
More than 850 Antarctic scientists,
and the logistical and operational technicians
that support them, will take part in the 2006
Open Science Conference of the Scientific Committee
on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and at meetings held
by the Council of Managers of National Antarctic
Programmes (COMNAP).
The Australian Minister for
the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell,
said as the effects of climate change become more
evident, particularly on the Antarctic Peninsula,
there is an urgency to better understand Antarctica’s
role in the global climate system.
“The rate at which the climate
of the Antarctic Peninsula region of Antarctic
is changing is among the greatest in the world,
with collapsing ice shelves, waters warming and
glaciers retreating at alarming rates,” Senator
Campbell said.
“Australia’s own research on
Heard Island reveals that significant environmental
changes have occurred during a human lifetime.
“Antarctica is no longer a place
where only adventurers and explorers go. The efforts
of the world’s scientists over the past several
decades have shown that Antarctica has a significant
role in maintaining the earth’s climate and ecological
integrity.
“We know now the intense cold
of Antarctica is a major driver of the global
ocean circulation, which brings warm waters to
the shores of western Europe, and nourishes fisheries
around the globe,” he said.
Research has shown that Antarctica
and the Southern Ocean have a major influence
on the climate and ecology in more northerly latitudes,
and Antarctica holds many of the keys to our understanding
of future change.
Senator Campbell said we need
to better understand what has happened to past
climates, sea levels and biodiversity as a signpost
to possible future changes.
He said Australia had a lead
role in Antarctic science, demonstrated by more
than 850 Antarctic scientists and technicians
from around the world gathering in Hobart for
this important series of meetings.
“The Australian Government believes
international collaboration and cooperation is
the best way to understand Antarctica’s role in
our Earth’s integrity and protect its environment,
so I am delighted to welcome so many leading scientific
and logistic experts to Hobart,” Senator Campbell
said.
The SCAR Open Science Conference
is being held in Hobart from 12-14 July 2006.
More information is at http://www.scarcomnap2006.org/
Rob Broadfield
