Antarctica is one of the fastest warming places on the planet. For the seventh year in a row, however, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has failed to create new marine protected areas. Here’s why Antarctica is worth protecting important.
It’s ANTARCTICA DAY — a day to celebrate a place so remote it takes more than two days to get there from the Drake Passage. But you don’t have to step foot in Antarctica to appreciate it for what it is — an essential ecosystem that acts as a connective lifeline for the entire world.
The Southern Ocean
One of the most important ecosystems of Antarctica is its Southern Ocean. This ocean acts as a key climate regulator and supports many species, including ten species of cetacean (humpback, killer whales), six species of seal, eight species of penguin, and millions of sea birds. Nearly all of these species are supported by krill. Scientists estimate there are hundreds of trillions of krill in Antarctica’s waters, “making theirs the largest biomass of any wild animal on the planet.” (ASOC)
A Melting World
Every winter, the size of Antarctica doubles because, as temperatures plunge, the Southern Ocean freezes. Beneath the sea ice exists another world. As light breaks through, algae flourishes to create what is equivalent to polar grasslands. These algal blooms are so vast, they are visible from space. And without them, the Antarctic food web wouldn’t exist.
This isn't the only reason that the sea ice is so important. Dark surfaces, like our oceans, absorb 90% of the sun’s energy, but the sea ice helps reflect it; acting as a protective barrier against global warming. But this year, there was less sea ice than there has been at any point in the last 40 years.
Tip of the Iceberg
Antarctica’s western shores are warming faster than anywhere else. Because of it, its oceans are more acidic, its sea levels are rising, and entire communities of life are being threatened. Species are trying to adapt, but it’s becoming harder to do so — 65% of Antarctica’s species may disappear in the next 75 years. Earlier this year, a catastrophic emperor penguin breeding failure was the latest blow to hit marine biodiversity.
An altered state of Antarctica’s sea ice has implications that reach beyond the continent itself. And now, as the world experiences record-breaking temperatures, Antartica is treading dangerous waters.
We can’t afford to put the planet on thin ice. Protect vital OCEANS, like Antarctica’s Southern Ocean, with VAKOVAKO.
