Why Does Antarctica Matter Essay

Why does Antarctica matter?

In a world where so much importance and attention is focused on factors, which impinge directly on our day to day existence, be it the refugee crisis, the European referendum or concerns regarding global food shortages, it can be easy to underestimate the importance of Antarctica. Antarctica is unique. Antarctica is larger than Europe but the only continent that doesn't have many permanent residents living within its boundaries, with only 1,000 to 5,000 people a year scattered about Antarctica at databases, where research takes place. Inhospitable to life with winds speeds up to 218mph, temperatures as cold as -90 degrees Celsius and an average elevation of 2300m above sea level it is the windiest and coldest continent
This frozen continent is key to understanding how our world works, and our impact upon it. For over a century Britain has been at the forefront of exploration and scientific research in Antarctica. The scientific advances that have occurred have gained international recognition and have changed humankind’s understanding of planet
Thermohaline circulation often referred to, as the ‘oceans conveyor belt’ is a major global system that regulates heat transfer and nutrient transport in the world’s oceans. The Antarctic region is vital as the formation of dense deep water is essential for the maintenance of the cycle. Polar cooling and the salt expelled by the formation of sea ice increases the density of the water approaching Antarctica. This causes a down welling, which in turn drives the world’s thermohaline circulation. Furthermore, it supplies heat to the Polar Region, influencing the rate of sea ice formation near the poles, which affects other aspects of the climate system such as the albedo, and thus solar heating at high