It is Earth Day today, and atmospheric CO2 levels are 413.09 ppm. When I was born, atmospheric CO2 levels were 355.95 ppm. As scientists, we work without a bias and let the data speak for itself. Many choose not to express their concern about rising CO2 and its effects on our planet. But I can’t help seeing and feeling the effect it already has around me.
The rapidness of the observed warming is unprecedented in the records studied to date. Almost every year there are records being set in air temperature, the amount of drought in dry regions and amounts of rain in wet regions. The light isotopic signal of the CO2 in the atmosphere traces it back to the burning of fossil fuels. The Antarctic Ice Sheet is losing mass at an increasing pace due to excessive subsurface melting. If the whole ice sheet melts it could rise sea level by 57 meters, I am concerned.
We still don’t fully know the effects this warming has on the Antarctic Ice Sheet and the surrounding water masses. Hence, us being here, drilling through the informational layers of sediment on the sea floor on the research vessel JOIDES Resolution in the Scotia Sea, investigating the long-term climate history of Antarctica and the ice sheet’s responds to changes in atmospheric CO2.
The rapidness of the observed warming is unprecedented in the records studied to date. Almost every year there are records being set in air temperature, the amount of drought in dry regions and amounts of rain in wet regions. The light isotopic signal of the CO2 in the atmosphere traces it back to the burning of fossil fuels. The Antarctic Ice Sheet is losing mass at an increasing pace due to excessive subsurface melting. If the whole ice sheet melts it could rise sea level by 57 meters, I am concerned.
We still don’t fully know the effects this warming has on the Antarctic Ice Sheet and the surrounding water masses. Hence, us being here, drilling through the informational layers of sediment on the sea floor on the research vessel JOIDES Resolution in the Scotia Sea, investigating the long-term climate history of Antarctica and the ice sheet’s responds to changes in atmospheric CO2.
Voluntarily, we have locked ourselves on this ship with no weekends, 12-hour shifts, no families and friends to come home to at the end of the day, no new episodes of Game of Thrones, 5 days to the closest hospital, and no escape for two months. On top of that, we have with all intentions headed straight for the area with the highest concentration of icebergs and the roughest seas—all in the name of science and to understand some of the many processes on earth a bit better. From an outside perspective, we might sound nuts, but for me this feels like the opportunity of a lifetime and the highlight of my career to date. We are half way through now, and no one is complaining yet. Some of us are even plotting how we can get back down here again.
IPCCs compilation of climate reconstructions and model predictions highly recommends that we keep warming under 1.5°C above the preindustrial level. But with the business as usual we could face a warming of 5°C by the end of the century. The planet is already changing faster than humans can cope with. The best tips I’ve received are to educate yourself on conscious choices you can make, such as where you choose to spend your money and what you eat, wear, and how you travel, who you vote for, and where you can raise your voice to make a change. It matters. Try your best to leave the planet on a less devastating trajectory for the coming generations.
IPCCs compilation of climate reconstructions and model predictions highly recommends that we keep warming under 1.5°C above the preindustrial level. But with the business as usual we could face a warming of 5°C by the end of the century. The planet is already changing faster than humans can cope with. The best tips I’ve received are to educate yourself on conscious choices you can make, such as where you choose to spend your money and what you eat, wear, and how you travel, who you vote for, and where you can raise your voice to make a change. It matters. Try your best to leave the planet on a less devastating trajectory for the coming generations.
The Southern Ocean and Antarctica has treated us with breath taking views of beautiful icebergs, majestic whales and cute penguins (and all sorts of other cool birds). For the benefit of everyone it is best if it remains in this cold and undisturbed way.