Frozen Planet

We are looking forward to the first episode of Frozen Planet from the BBC-it looks stunning and ties in very nicely with our Oceans channel and resources! Supporting growing public awareness of life at the poles, the first episode will air on BBC One shortly.

Frozen Planet takes you on an adventure through the Arctic and Antarctic environment and wildlife through a 7-part series narrated by Sir David Attenborough who has spent quite a bit of time exploring these regions. One of the short clips that links well with our Frozen  Oceans resources is titled On Thin Ice, and discusses the effects of climate change on regions such as the poles and the ways scientists are now trying to understand it.

Check it out at BBC-One Frozen Planet!

Oceans advice to GCSE boards

We are the Blue Planet. The Oceans are the earth’s life-support system, producing most of our oxyg¬en and capturing more than two-thirds of carbon dioxide. The oceans drive climate and weather, regulate temperature, shape Earth chemistry, and hold 97% of the Earth’s water. Covering 71% of the surface of our planet, an estimated 97% of all life on earth is found under the ocean surface, and less than 5% of that area has ever been explored.

So as the oceans are so important, we’ve been through every GCSE specification for science and geography searching for the terms fish, marine, sea and ocean. They should be well represented. This is what we found out.

Top prize for a great section on the urgent issue of ocean acidification goes to the AQA Science team and their new Chemistry GCSE. Loving your work and hope that the rest of the exam boards follow suit. There’s also a nice reference to the issues of over-fishing, but no mention of marine case studies for species adaptation, mutualism, etc. It would also have been nice to connect in the chemistry of ocean acidification with some more on biological impacts say on zooplankton. (more…)

Satellite images contradict Times Atlas

An article published a few days ago by Richard Black of the BBC reveals a new controversy over the amount of sea ice present in Greenland. According the newly-published Times Atlas, Greenland has lost 15% of its former ice coverage in just 12 years. This figure has caused concern around the world as it suggests that the climate is warming at a rapid rate and resulting in negative consequences for the environment.

Yet scientists from the Scott Polar Research Institute claim that this figure is exaggerated.  The Scott Polar researchers do not deny that increased temperatures have resulted in loss of sea ice in Greenland, but they do have evidence that contradicts the estimated rapid speed of  melting as shown in the Times Atlas. This evidence comes from new satellite images that show ice coverage and glaciers where the Times Atlas depicted as ice free zones and new land.

The Scott Polar scientists are unsure how the mistake occurred, but they want to make sure that we are only informed with ‘concrete and correct evidence’.

Oceans reveal hidden energy

New studies and research have found interesting patterns in the way the oceans absorb and store energy.  As discussed in a  Science Daily article, even when the atmospheric and global climate conditions appear stable, our oceans are still experiencing great change.

Simulations performed by scientists, using the Community Climate System Model, found that continued emissions of greenhouse gasses caused by humans will result in a temperature increase of 1.4 degrees Celsius between 2000 and 2100. Yet, the more intriguing discovery of this experiment was that there were two 10 year periods of stability during which no obvious atmospheric climate changes occurred. During these ‘hiatus’ periods ocean waters, below 300 meters, warmed 18% to 19% more rapidly than during other times. Researchers attributed their findings to the idea that changing ocean circulations cause deep ocean waters to absorb heat more rapidly.  The results also correspond with patterns of La Nina events and the two occurrences are believed to be connected in some regions.

The article and experiments attempt to show that we cannot ignore the missing heat that the oceans absorb. As stated by NCAR researcher Kevin Trenberth, “The heat has not disappeared, and so it cannot be ignored.”

Loss of Arctic sea ice indicates change

Arctic sea ice hit a record minimum last week, measuring 4.24 million square kilometres. Even though we only have satellite records of sea ice levels since 1972, it is thought that this is the lowest in 8,000 years. We can see that Arctic sea ice is on a downward spiral as last years measure of 4.76 million square kilometres was the third lowest measurement. It becomes only fair to predict that next year we will see even lower results.

As discussed in Quirin Schiermeier’s article, this is very important evidence of the changes going on within our oceans. The loss of Arctic sea ice indicates climate change and scientists from the Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado believe that it may result in “a greater potential for late season ice-loss, caused by warm water melting ice from below or winds that push the ice together”.

Pakistan Expedition alumni – one year on…

I am Elliott Murray, one of the chosen few who was given the incredible opportunity to visit Pakistan late last year. This year, I traveled over 3 months, across 3 countries in Asia, Thailand – Cambodia and India. I should point out that this is the first solo traveling project I have ever done, it would be very fair to say that the Pakistan expedition was a great starting point that gave me the confidence and thirst to explore more of the world.

In Thailand I spent one week volunteering at a self sustainable environmental community, consisting of 12 or so people from around the world. A lifestyle I had never been close to, and being fed on a daily diet of deep fried and oven baked dinners back home, was indeed a shock. Still, an interesting experience that taught me about how an alternative group of people live their life. We then did one week solo travel of Thailand. Pakistan taught me that their is no generalisation that can be made about a whole country, or community, that is always true, and that to learn about these things intimately, one must explore for oneself.

We then flew to Cambodia where we had arranged some time working at an orphanage for disadvantaged children in a small, remote village. We taught English, and knew that even our limited expertise of teaching was doing a great amount of good amongst this small community. Before Pakistan I was cynical in that I always believed if we where to ever make a social change for good, it must be achieved en masse. I then learned how small intimate projects change a selected group’s minds for tomorrow, who may indeed themselves take it upon themselves to re-teach what has been taught, to 20 more, and hence the cycle continues.

Finally I arrived in India, where I traveled independently. What I loved most was exploring other people’s cultures – drinking tea (or chi) with the locals, speaking with them and telling them of all the places I’ve seen in their country, and just understanding what their culture consists of. Whilst traveling I did see many tourists who would keep to themselves, and not be as talkative with the locals, and stay rather in their own bubble (taking private taxi’s opposed to local buses, staying in hotels with a price that could only be for foreigners etc etc..) which is fine, and maybe I would too have been comfortable traveling that way a few years ago, but since Pakistan I yearn to explore countries intimately, and find out what it’s real side is like.

Visiting Pakistan taught me to realise a country is always more than a 10 word headline, and that before passing judgment with a personal opinion, you must embrace it personally. It was without a doubt a huge part of my life, that has shaped the way I look at our world.

Increase pH levels are cause of marine life extinction

It becomes clear through examining the history of past marine life extinctions that our oceans are once again headed towards a period of decline for various species. A study on past ocean extinctions, explained in Emily Shon’s article, concluded that past marine life extinctions were due to high levels of CO2 and low levels of oxygen. This is relevant to today’s oceans as there has been an  increase of CO2 in the oceans due to the release of fossil fuels and other sources into the atmosphere. Many species who produce calcium carbonate shells are unable to adapt to the quickly changing pH levels in the oceans. It is predicted that between 2030 and 2050 that we will see a decline in pteropods, an organism at the bottom of the food chain and so crucial to maintain its balance. With this being said, we need to look at our oceans’ histories in order to preserve them in the future.

So much to learn about the oceans from sand

Rob Holman has collected over 860 sand samples from around the world. See the differences from St. Andrews to Samoa for yourself on the interactive map.

The endless immensity of the sea

If you want to build a ship don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Looking for an inspirational schools speaker?

Just weeks before Mark was due to set off on the next leg of his amazing 7 rivers, 7 continents project, he was forced to delay his departure having had a metal screw inserted into his clavicle. He is a great speaker and available to come to schools across the UK. See below for more information or get in touch with Mark directly.

Mark Kalch is a motivational and school speaker, explorer, adventurer and sponsored athlete. I undertake difficult, demanding and culturally significant expeditions across the globe. Most recently I walked solo across the entire Islamic Republic of Iran and have previously made a source to sea paddling descent of the entire Amazon River (please view a short clip here). I am currently pursuing the 7 rivers, 7 continents project – source to sea paddling descents of the longest river on each continent. A combined total of more than 22 000 miles of paddling. My journeys are developed, planned and executed alone or in small teams with no external assistance.

All presentations are tailored to suit a school’s requirements. If you require further information or clarification do not hesitate in your approach.

Past school quote:

Mark

I have talked to most of the sixth, first form and teachers, who attended yesterday. The response was entirely enthusiastic & positive (which is not always the case, even with our better speakers). Comments ranged from ‘absolutely brilliant’, all the way down(!) to ‘very interesting’. Thanks for what was clearly an exceptionally well delivered and fascinating talk which has made a great impression on all who attended.

Dr Anthony Langdon Kingston Grammar School