Tag: anarctica

Daily Mail Misses the Real Story About Long-Term Stable Antarctica Ice in Dumb Quip About Climate ‘Deniers’

A remarkably silly headline appeared last week in the Daily Mail stating: ‘Shocking Antarctica discovery sends climate change deniers into mass celebration.’ It appears that 100 gigatonnes of ice has been added to the Antarctica ice sheet in a 21-month period to December 2023. Quite how joy will be unconfined in the ranks of the ‘deniers’ over an increase, or decrease, of 0.00041% is not clear. The amount is an ice sheet rounding error and it would be scientifically accurate to refer to it as zero. Even if the figure was a loss, it would take nearly half a million years for all the ice in Antarctica to melt and that does not include any allowance for glacial periods or indeed a new ice age. Unsurprising, in the haste to stick ‘denier’ into the mix, a far more important finding about Antarctica ice was missed. A recent paper undergoing peer review has calculated that around 2,546 gt of ice has been added every year since 1960 to the surface on Antarctica. This would almost certainly have been enough to stabilise any natural losses and it is possible that the ice sheet has been stable or even growing slowly over this period.

The figures for Antarctica’s overall ice mass are difficult to calculate. They must include losses from ice calving and melting and they are thought to total around 2,000 gt a year. Driving ice accumulation in Antarctica is snowfall and there is some evidence that the area is receiving more precipitation than previously thought. The paper led by Dr Christiaan van Dalum of Utrecht University suggests heavy recent accumulations of ice in Antarctica that appear to outweigh any losses at the coast. There is said to be increased precipitation in the mountains of West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula.

It is not always clear in scientific papers just what the authors are comparing. The Daily Mail story arises from a Chinese group whose work on the Antarctica ice sheet appears to concentrate on just four eastern glacial basins. The Chinese findings suggest little or no change while van Dalum points to increases over the entire continent even allowing for significant losses due to natural events. Nevertheless, the key to understanding climate change lies in the length of the observations. Drawing celebratory conclusions over less than two years’ supposed growth is junk science, possibly designed to boost clicks and impress potential advertisers. Assessing results over 60 years as the Dalum paper does offers greater understanding of the dynamics of polar ice.

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Why Did 56 Countries Sign a Treaty to Stay Out of Antarctica?

Imagine a land of icy silence where the snow stretches blank like the pages of an untouched diary. This is Antarctica, the coldest, windiest, and perhaps most mysterious continent on Earth. But behind its icy facade lies a story not fully told to the public—one that involves a treaty signed by 56 nations, promising never to venture into certain parts of this icy wilderness for military uses. What could possibly be so important, so hidden, that makes Antarctica a ‘no-go’ area for these powerful countries? Let’s delve into the depths of this chilly mystery.

The Antarctic Treaty Explained

In 1959, a group of countries came together to sign a remarkable agreement now known as the Antarctic Treaty. Principal among its provisions is that Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only. Military activity, including weapons testing and nuclear explosions, is forbidden. Furthermore, the treaty encourages scientific research, and aims to protect the continent’s eco-zone.

But why the need for such an accord? The unanimous decision to keep military claws retracted seems guided not only by a spirit of international scientific cooperation but perhaps by deeper, unspoken reasons. Could there be something under the ice—resources, ancient artifacts, or even alien bases—that everyone wants but no one can have?

The Conspiracy Theory: What Lies Beneath?

This is where things get interesting — and where mainstream explanations might not satisfy a curious mind. Why would such an array of powerful nations all agree to limit their rights and opportunities unless there was something incredibly valuable and perhaps dangerous concealed by the Antarctic ice?

Conspiracy theorists argue that there might be ancient technology or alien life forms buried under the ice. Some even claim these could be remnants of ancient civilizations far advanced beyond our current understanding. Such discoveries could potentially offer new forms of energy, unknown minerals, or even new medical breakthroughs.

Secret Bases and Forbidden Zones

Despite the treaty’s stipulation for openness and scientific freedom, certain areas of Antarctica are shrouded in secrecy, with restricted access even for international scientists. This fuels belief in secret bases operating under a cloak of research—bases that could be hiding activities not sanctioned by the treaty.

Could these facilities be testing experimental tech or coordinating with extraterrestrial entities? The idea isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds when you consider the inexplicable resignation from norms that the continent forces upon global powers.

The Environment or The Cover-Up?

Another angle often discussed is the environmental protection clause in the Antarctic Treaty. At face value, this is a commitment to preserve one of the last unspoiled places on earth. However, under a lens of skepticism, could environmental concern be a convenient pretense for keeping prying eyes away from a more sinister agenda?

Why emphasize ecological stability in a region with no indigenous human population unless disclosing the true nature of the continent would lead to irreversible environmental damage—or perhaps the disclosure of top-secret information that could cause mass chaos?

The Silence and Isolation of Antarctica

The sheer isolation of Antarctica also works perfectly for anyone needing privacy on a grand scale. With no permanent residents and an environment that is harsh and life-threatening, few people question the happenings on this icy land. The few who visit—scientists, researchers, and the occasional tourist—are often monitored closely, kept on guided paths far from any so-called “sensitive” areas.

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