2 June 2006
With climate change becoming one of the foremost challenges facing the
global world, the necessity to gather more information and conduct more
research on mitigating measures to respond to this phenomenon, becomes a
worldwide priority. The Antarctica continent with the surrounding Southern
Ocean provide natural laboratories in which to study climate change and the
likely impacts that this change will have on the earth and the life its
supports. This statement highlights one of the important roles of the South
African presence on the icy continent.
Launching National Antarctica Month, the departments of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism and Science and Technology seek to raise awareness of this
continent where the ice sheet covers 95 percent of the continent with an
average dept of 2,2- 5 kilometres. The ice sheet plays a crucial role in
controlling the earthâs heat balance as it reflects more than 80 percent of the
sunrays.
South Africa, as the only Africa signatory of the Antarctic Treaty,
maintains a permanent presence in Antarctica. South Africaâs presence places it
in a unique position to participate in the decision-making processes that
affect the future of the continent. On a scientific level South Africa supports
a diverse scientific programme in Antarctica as well as on the sub-Antarctic
Islands. Because weather conditions on the Antarctica and the surrounding
Southern Ocean have an influence on the weather of South Africa, an
understanding of the influence of Antarctica weather phenomena on South Africa
weather is crucial for management and predictive purposes. To this extent South
African scientists undertake important meteorological observations in the
Southern Ocean, at Antarctica ad on the sub Antarctic islands.
South Africaâs base in the Antarctica, the SANAE IV, which can accommodate
up to 80 people, was the first base in Antarctica to undergo a comprehensive
environmental assessment which was conducted in accordance with strict
international guidelines, which were adopted as benchmark for construction of
new bases in Antarctica.
South Africa is in the process of constructing a new base on Marion Island
which is near completion and expected to be completed in 2007. Due to extreme
weather conditions, scientific research, which often involves the use of
delicate and highly sophisticated equipment, requires intricate logistical
support and infrastructure.
The Department of Science and Technology is responsible for managing South
Africaâs scientific research on the Antarctica. The Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism provides logistical and infrastructure support for South
Africaâs scientific missions to the Antarctica and sub-Antarctica islands. A
learner programme will be held during Antarctica Month aimed at encouraging
more students to enter science disciplines.
Enquiries:
JP Louw
Chief Director: Communications
Cell: 082 569 3340
Tel:(012) 310 3596
C Vosloo
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Tel: (012) 392 9373
E-mail: collette@saasta.ac.za
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Department of
Science and Technology
2 June 2006
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za)
