Antarctica-Past, Present and Future: Count Down to Gibbs 100th Birthday

One week to go to 11/7/16- This would be George W. Gibbs, Jr's 100th Birthday.

Best news this year for Antarctica: The most pristine waters in the world are now protected!   http://bbc.in/2f6d1G3

Gibbs sailed to the Ross Ice Shelf with Admiral Richard E. Byrd's III expedition to the South Pole, in 1940.  Where icebergs look like castles and penguins love to play. Thankfully, after 76 years, we still have these sights.  For the next 35 years, the protections remain.  Antarctica is melting. We're more aware of what that might mean for the planet.

We need to save the world's last frontier. This is a perfect step.

Politics of the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Even though no one owns Antarctica, the Treaty requires agreement among nations.  We need to hold the space for agreement to protect the Ross Sea from fishing- The last pristine waters of the world!  Important times for Antarctica.  See this link on the deliberation this summer for an Antarctic park.

Antarctic Protection and Tourism

The hot topic of this week is protecting the Ross Sea.  I'm excited that John Kerry, along with New Zealand's ambassador to the United States, Michael Moore, asked for the protection of one of the last pristine oceans in the world.  At this rate, the Antarctic Treaty of 2041 could easy to uphold for another 100 years!

Tourism is controversial.   I'm still formulating my feelings on it. It's controversial because, now, increasing numbers of people want to do extreme sports, rather than walk around and look at ice and penguins. I believe we need to pull together to take action that respects and protects the environment, at the bottom of the world. I've read two books that claim people should go to the continent and experience for themselves.  Another author says absolutely not!  Scientists have mixed feelings. 


Is Antarctica left defenseless to tourism?  Rod McGuirk interviewed  Alan Hemmings, an environmental consultant on polar regions.  Mr. Hemmings say yes.

From The Independent UK- ROD MCGUIRK.