Polar regions
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A brief overview of Polar Regions, its Physical and climatic features, prospects of natural resources, and ongoing scientific research.
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Polar regions
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- 8. POLAR REGIONS AIM “Aim of this presentation is to apprise the house about Polar Regions of the Earth, their ecological systems, ongoing scientific research, environmental issues and suggest recommendations.”
- 9. POLAR REGIONS SEQUENCE History of Exploration Physical and Climatic Features Prospects of Natural Resources Status of Control Ongoing Scientific Research Ecological and Environmental Issues Findings & Recommendations Conclusion
- 10. POLAR REGIONS HISTORY OF EXPLORATION
- 11. POLAR REGIONS HISTORY OF EXPLORATION Arctic Region Pytheas (~330 BC) Contd...
- 12. POLAR REGIONS HISTORY OF EXPLORATION Arctic Region Pytheas (~330 BC) Floki (~870 AD) Erik (938 AD) Alternate Trade Route 1594 – 1779 AD Contd...
- 13. POLAR REGIONS HISTORY OF EXPLORATION Antarctic Region Terra Australis Marinus of Tyre (70-130 AD) Search for Terra Australis Captian James Cook (1773) Thaddeus (1820) Contd...
- 14. POLAR REGIONS PHYSICAL & CLIMATIC FEATURES
- 15. POLAR REGIONS PHYSICAL & CLIMATIC FEATURES Formation of Seasons Contd...
- 16. POLAR REGIONS PHYSICAL & CLIMATIC FEATURES Basic Definitions Regions of Earth Major circles of Latitude Physical Features Climatic Features 23.5 deg Contd...
- 17. POLAR REGIONS PHYSICAL & CLIMATIC FEATURES Features Area (>20%) Far from Equator Lack of Warm Summers Average Temperature (<10 ̊ C) Tundra, Glaciers Permanent or Semi-permanent Ice Contd...
- 18. POLAR REGIONS PHYSICAL & CLIMATIC FEATURES Types of Climates Ice Cap Climate – Extreme Northern Latitude – Extreme Southern Latitude Contd...
- 19. POLAR REGIONS PHYSICAL & CLIMATIC FEATURES Types of Climates Tundra Climate – Arctic – Antarctic Alpine Climates Contd...
- 21. POLAR REGIONS NATURAL RESOURCES Natural Resources Animal Resources Mineral Resources Contd...
- 22. POLAR REGIONS NATURAL RESOURCES Arctic Region Animal Resources Petroleum Resources Mineral Resources Contd...
- 23. POLAR REGIONS NATURAL RESOURCES Arctic Region Biological Resources Contd...
- 24. POLAR REGIONS NATURAL RESOURCES Arctic Region Petroleum Resources – 50 Mn Barrels Oil – 1669 Tn cubic ft gas – 44 Bn Barrels Natural Gas Contd...
- 25. POLAR REGIONS NATURAL RESOURCES Arctic Region Mineral Resources – Coal – Iron Ore – Zinc – Lead – Precious Metals Contd...
- 26. POLAR REGIONS NATURAL RESOURCES Antarctic Region Search for Resources Economic Incentives Mineral Resources Contd...
- 27. POLAR REGIONS NATURAL RESOURCES Antarctic Region Mining in Antarctica – Difficult – Dangerous – Expensive Contd...
- 28. POLAR REGIONS ECOLOGICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
- 29. POLAR REGIONS ECOLOGICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Earth Climate Crisis Biodiversity Loss Plastic Pollution Deforestation Global Warming Contd...
- 30. POLAR REGIONS ECOLOGICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Antarctic Environmental Issues Melting of Ice Caps – 4, 200 sq km Ice Berg on 18 Dec, 2020 Contd...
- 31. POLAR REGIONS ECOLOGICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES What Happens in Arctic Does NOT Stay in Arctic Contd...
- 32. POLAR REGIONS STATUS OF CONTROL Alternate Trade Routes
- 33. POLAR REGIONS STATUS OF CONTROL Russian Trade Routes Contd...
- 34. POLAR REGIONS STATUS OF CONTROL Arctic Region Canada USA (via Alaska) Russia Finland Sweden Norway Iceland Denmark Contd...
- 35. POLAR REGIONS ONGOING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
- 36. POLAR REGIONS ONGOING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Antarctica Geosciences Contd...
- 37. POLAR REGIONS ONGOING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Contd... Antarctica Life Sciences
- 38. POLAR REGIONS ONGOING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Contd... Antarctica Physical Sciences
- 39. POLAR REGIONS ONGOING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Contd... Antarctica Pakistan Antarctic Programme (PAP) – Scientific Research Stations • Jinnah Antarctic Station I • Jinnah Antarctic Station II – Automatic Weather Station
- 40. POLAR REGIONS ANALYSIS Global Warming Sea Level Rise (SLR) CO2 Foot Print Green House Effect Melting of Arctic & Ice Caps Arctic Trade Routes Impact on International Politics
- 41. POLAR REGIONS Reduce Green House Effects Reduce CO2 Foot Print Alternate Energy Sources Solar Wind Hybrid Alignment for Post Arctic Melt Down Revival of PAP RECOMMENDATIONS
- 42. POLAR REGIONS REFERENCES https://www.arcticcentre.org/EN/arcticregion https://www.britannica.com/place/Arctic https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/referen ce/exploration/who-discovered-antarctica-depends- who-ask/ https://www.oceaneconomics.org/arctic https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/06/countrie s-battle-control-north-pole-science-ultimate-winner https://oceans.taraexpeditions.org/en/jdb/environme ntal-and-geopolitical-issues-in-the-arctic/
- 43. POLAR REGIONS REFERENCES https://www.rmg.co.uk/explore/antarctic-exploration https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HFNs8x0K Mxs3bP1VgcKh5qOZ30EK2rbQUPvf- _xyZPY/edit#slide=id.g6422b47792_1_68 https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/ar ctic/ https://oaarchive.arctic- council.org/handle/11374/232 Contd...
- 44. THANK YOU 44/45
Editor's Notes
- As we sit here today, for a moment, lets [CLICK] teleport ourselves to 330 BC and imagine listening [CLICK]
- [CLICK] to this guy named Pytheas, a Greek merchant, geographer and an explorer; who is narrating us some juggling colorful lights [CLICK] on the night sky and talking about witnessing the sun that never sets [CLICK]
- We would surely be mesmerized by the very thoughts [CLICK]
- Teleporting ourselves [CLICK] back to the present day world of space travel, internet, information and technology, we can appreciate that Pytheas was referring to [CLICK]
- One of the Polar Regions [Click]
- Aim of my presentation is to apprise the house about about Polar Regions of the Earth, their ecological systems, ongoing scientific research, environmental issues and suggest recommendations. [Click]
- The sequence I will be following is as flashed. [Click]
- As hinted in the preamble that [CLICK]
- The exploration history of Arctic Region dates back to about 330 BC [CLICK] when Pytheas of Massalia, a Greek merchant, geographer and an explorer travelled enough north to explore a frozen land where he observed, what we today [CLICK] know as Northern Lights or Aurora and mid night sun [CLICK], which we today refer to with Summer Solstice (that occurs on 21st June in certain parts of arctic circle). By the accounts of Pytheas, the historians believe that he had explored a coast of Norway [CLICK] [CLICK]
- A Long after Pytheas, Floki Vilgerdarson, a Norwegian Viking, is believed to discover [CLICK] Iceland in 870 AD when he set to explore the western waters in the Norwegian Sea. [CLICK] Erik Thorvaldsson, known as “Erik the Red” discovered and settled in Greenland [CLICK] in 938 AD. [CLICK] The other phase of exploration comes about mainly as a result of searching of alternate trade routes to Asia. The search of alternate routes spanning over 1594 AD to 1779 AD [CLICK]
- Unlike the exploration of Arctic, which was discovered, I would say accedentily, the history of Antarctica emerges from early Western theories of a vast continent, known as Terra Australis. [CLICK]Terra Australis suggested the existence of land mass in the far south of the globe (mainly to balance [CLICK] the earth mass in the Northern Hemisphere. The term Antarctic, referring to the opposite of the Arctic Circle, was first coined [CLICK] by Marinus of Tyre, a Greek geographer and mathematician in the 2nd century AD. In the search of Terra Australis, [CLICK] a number of voyages were conducted to explore as far south as possible. In the pursuit of Terra Astralis, Captain James Cook [CLICK] became the first person to cross Antarctic Circle on 17 January 1773. Thaddeus von Bellingshausen [CLICK], who was leading a Russian Expedition, discovered Antarctica on 28 January, 1820. [CLICK]
- The natural habitat and the existence of eco-system depends upon the physical and climatic features of a region. For example the natural habitat of Tropical Regions would consist of tropical forests and tropical birds [CLICK] whereas the same would be remarkably different for that of the Polar Region [CLICK]. [CLICK]
- Basic understanding of the formation of seasons is prudent to understand the physical and climatic features of its regions. [CLICK] We know that the earth orbits the sun and it takes a complete year for our planet to complete its orbit. Simultaneously, earth also rotates like a slightly tilted spinning top. The earth remains tilted the same way all year around the sun. It implies that the sun light shines differently on different regions of the earth in the different times of the year. Lets look at the earth when its winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Observe how the north pole tips away from the sun. This means that the sun light hits the northern hemisphere at a shallow angle for a short period of time. This is why the winters are cold, with short days and long nights. As earth orbits the sun, we move towards the Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Now earth is tilted neither away nor towards the sun and now the days and nights are almost equal in length. As we make our way to the summer months, notice that the earth is still tilted in the same direction, only now on the other side of the orbit. The north pole tipping toward the sun and the sun shine hits the northern hemisphere more directly and the sun stays in the sky for the longer time. Compared to the winters, the summer days are warmer and the sun stays in the sky much longer. Also notice that while it is summer in the northern hemisphere, there is winter in the southern hemisphere. Because of the earth’s tilt, the seasons are reversed. We have observed that how the earth’s tilt creates the seasons through out the year. This effects the life, plant life and other photo synthesizers, known as the primary producers depend on the sunlight and thus respond to the changes in the seasons. [CLICK]
- We have just discussed that the earth spins [CLICK] about axis like a slightly tilted top. The tilt in axis of rotation of the earth is the primary reason for the existence of seasons. Having understood how the seasons change, [CLICK] lets dwell upon some basic concepts. Based on the [CLICK] physical and climatic features, the globe can be divided into 3 broad regions as depicted in the picture. These regions are separated by what are known as five major circles of Latitude [CLICK] i.e Equator, Tropics of cancer and capricorn, arctic and Antarctic circles. Due to exposure to various intensity of sunshine in these regions, the regions vary in their Physical and Climatic Features. [CLICK] Physical features are defined by landform (continents and mountain ranges), soil, and natural vegetation. [CLICK] Whereas, the climatic features are defined by latitude, altitude, weather patterns, wind and ocean currents etc. Physical and climatic features are interlinked and go hand in hand e.g. the physical features determine the climate and climate in turn supports the physical features e.g. forests. [CLICK]
- Polar regions cover more than 20% of the earth area [CLICK] The polar regions are far from equator and located on the poles of the globe [CLICK] And are thus characterized by colder summers [CLICK] With average temperature of the year less than 10 degrees Celcius [CLICK] Due to cold climate, the polar regions contain tree less Tundra and Glaciers [CLICK] Along with permanent or Semi-permanent layers of ice [CLICK]
- There are two types of polar climate [CLICK] In an ice cap climate, no plants can grow, and ice gradually accumulates until it flows elsewhere. The ice cap climate exists in Antarctic Region only. The ice cap climate has no months above 0 °C (32 °F). [CLICK] The only large landmass in the extreme northern latitudes to have an icecap climate is Greenland along with some islands of Canada and Russia. [CLICK] In the extreme south, the whole of the Antarctica, except some northern fringes [CLICK]
- A tundra climate, also known as barren or tree less climate is characterized by having at least one month whose average temperature is above 0 °C (32 °F). In a tundra climate, trees cannot grow, but other specialized plants can grow [CLICK] Common known Arctic Tundra are those in Siberia and Green Land. [CLICK] Whereas the northern fringes of Antarctica fall under the Antarctic Tundra. [CLICK] Alpine climate can mimic either tundra or ice cap climate. This climate refers to high altitude locations, where temperatures are too low and wind speed is too high to support any plant growth. Therefore, it is also referred as Alpine Tundra [CLICK]
- Despite the harsh physical and the climatic features of the polar regions, the regions have been manned e.g. 4 million people inhabit the Arctic. The polar regions are thought to have great prospects [CLICK] of natural resources. [CLICK]
- The natural resources of polar region mainly constitute of biological or animal resources and mineral resources. [CLICK]
- An increasingly ice-free Arctic holds a potential to a lucrative new business and development opportunities [CLICK]– particularly in mining, oil and gas drilling, commercial fishing and tourism. [CLICK]
- As sea ice declines, new opportunities for high sea fisheries are emerging in the Arctic having significant stocks of living marine resources which are considered some of the most productive in the world. [CLICK] The Bering Sea in particular contains numerous fisheries including halibut, shrimp, scallops, etc. [CLICK]
- The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has estimated the quantity of undiscovered and technically recoverable conventional oil and natural gas resources in the arctic region. [CLICK] According to these estimates, the region has more than [CLICK] 50 million barrels of oil, [CLICK] 1,669 trillion cubic feet of gas [CLICK] and 44 billion barrels of natural gas liquids. [CLICK]
- Arctic minerals are currently generating impressive revenues [CLICK] , however, the mining practices are considered to be fragile. The common mineral resources of the arctic include [CLICK] Coal, Iron Ore, Zinc, Lead, Diamonds and Gem stones. [CLICK]
- The search [CLICK] for economic resources led to the first sustained human interaction in Antarctica. Most early Antarctic expeditions through the 19th century had either direct or indirect [CLICK] economic incentives. For some expeditions, the search for new trading routes was the objective; for others, the objective was the possibility of mineral riches. [CLICK] [CLICK]
- [CLICK] Mining in Antarctica would be very difficult, dangerous and expensive as the climate is so harsh, the ice is very thick [CLICK] In the last 50 years of scientific research, no large deposits of mineralized rocks have been found. [CLICK]
- The decades of usage of natural resources in terms of fossil fuel consumption by the mankind has resulted into a miraculous industrialization of this planet [CLICK]. However, it is said that ‘there is no free lunch’, so, the industrialization has also come with its costs in terms of ecological and environmental issues [CLICK].
- As we know today, that the talks of [CLICK] climate crisis is a everyday here say. Undoubtedly, the crisis is [CLICK] accelerating at an unprecedented rate [CLICK] A WWF (World Wildlife Fund) report found that the population sizes of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians have experienced decline of an average of 68% between 1970 and 2016. [CLICK] A report by science journal, Nature has determined that currently about 11 million tons of plastic make its way into the oceans every year and if no action is taken, this will grow to 29 million metric tons per year by 2040. [CLICK] Every minute, forests the size of 20 football fields are cut down. By the year 2030, the earth might have only 10% of its forests. [CLICK] Increased emissions of greenhouse gases and CO2 foot print have caused temperatures to rise, which are causing catastrophic events all over the world e.g. bush and forest fires are becoming a regular feature. [CLICK]
- The global warming is rising the temperatures of the polar regions of the earth. At the south pole, it is presenting itself in the form of melting of ice caps. A recent one [CLICK] being on 18 December, 2020 having a size of 4, 200 sq km is heading towards the coast of South Georgia. [CLICK]
- As we have just discussed that the effects of global warming and other environmental issues are more pronounced on the polar region. [CLICK] However, what is less understood is the impact a changing Arctic climate will have on the climate at lower latitudes including Pakistan. Because Earth’s climate is all connected, changes in the Arctic climate system may also impact ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns, patterns that influence weather and climate at lower latitudes. [CLICK]
- Having said that, the post arctic ice melting, contains a rich prospects of alternate and shorter trade routes [CLICK] between Russia & Europe, and between Canada & Europe. The potential of these routes is expected to influence the international politics in the Arctic Region and thereby creating a conflict of interest among the competing nations and a race to Control [CLICK] these new waters. [CLICK]
- In fact, Russia has already started the Oil and Gas Tanker traffic through the waters where ice has already receded [CLICK]. The figure depicts these routes as of September, 2018. [CLICK]
- The arctic region is shared by 8 countries near or in the arctic circle. The countries include [CLICK] Canada, USA, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark as flashed. Under international law, the North Pole and the region of the Arctic Ocean surrounding it are not owned by any country. [CLICK]
- The quest of homo sapiens on the planet earth is perhaps one of the most fundamentals reasons to keep this world thriving. The very curiosity of exploring the unknown had resulted into numerous inventions and discoveries including both of the polar regions. Humans have always been successful in exploring new arenas of scientific research. [CLICK]
- While the Arctic Circle is rich in Natural Resources, the Antarctica has become a new home to scientific research in recent decades. [CLICK] The basement core of Antarctica comprises a suite of crustal blocks that were parts of various supercontinents. Geodetic and geophysical observatories can furnish a fundamental contribution to the study of geodynamics processes across the continent. [CLICK]
- Biologically, the Antarctic is a centre of evolutionary divergence and adaptation to polar extremes. [CLICK] Life sciences research at Antarctica is focused on understanding the impact of past, current and predicted environmental change on biodiversity and the consequences for adaptation and function. [CLICK]
- Within the physical realm, processes at the interfaces between ice, ocean, land and atmosphere are critical to our ability to describe and predict the response to climate change. [CLICK] A distinct component of physical sciences research in Antarctica is based on the unique properties of the continent that favor its use as a platform for astronomical and solar-terrestrial observations. [CLICK]
- In the early 1990s, [CLICK] “Pakistan became the first country in the Islamic world to send its expeditions to the Antarctica.” During 1991 and 1993, [CLICK] Pakistan established two scientific research stations, [CLICK] Jinnah Antarctic Station I and II, [CLICK] and an automatic weather station called Iqbal Observatory. Sadly enough, Pakistan did not send any independent expedition after 1993. [CLICK]
- Sea levels are rising [CLICK] at a significant rate because of global warming caused by increased carbon dioxide foot print in the earth’s atmosphere. Thus, green house effects are melting the glaciers, and heating and expanding oceans due to melting of the Arctic and Antarctic ice caps. The melting of arctic ice, considering with the rich prospects of alternate trade routes through arctic in the post arctic melt down era are expected to put an impact on international politics in the future. [CLICK]
- Ladies and Gentlemen, in the words of famous astronomer Carl Sagan, we need “to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot (the earth), the only home we've ever known”. As a resident of this planet, [CLICK] it is our moral obligation to play our part in reducing the CO2 footprint in order to mitigate the green house gas effects. This would help keeping the delicate ecosystem of this earth in place. It is a high time to change our life styles from fossil fuel driven to the greener solutions. However, in order to safeguard the national interests and to harvest maximum out of the post arctic melt down scenario, Pakistan must start aligning itself well in time. On 07 December, 2020, the world renown scientist Noam Chomsky also shown his dismay over Pakistan’s drifting away from science and technology. Therefore, the need of the hour is to revive our Science and Technology along with Pakistan Antarctic Plan. [CLICK]
- These are the references that i have consulted while carrying out my research for my subject matter. [Click]
- I thank you all for your patient listening. [CLICK]
- The house is open for Q&A session.