by Tishani Doshi
A life-changing journey to the most ecologically crucial destination of the world.
“Take care of the small things and the big things will fall into place.”
Answer the following questions:
1) How do geological phenomena help us to know about the history of humankind?
OR
'The world's geological history is trapped in Antarctica.' How is the study of this region useful to us?
There are several geological phenomena like rocky canyons, frozen glaciers and ice that have organic material trapped inside them. These materials can be analyzed using modern technology like carbon dating. 650 million years ago, Antarctica was a part of a larger landmass called Gondwana, of which India was also a part. Before separation into continents and countries as we know today, this supercontinent flourished for about 500 million years with a diverse flora and fauna.
Antarctica is 'pristine' in a sense that it has not been disturbed by the human civilization yet. The climate of this region has changed from warm to frigid over the millions of years. It is a place where the past, the present and the future of the world convene to tell us a stunning story of the planet. The secrets from the past and warnings for the future are all embedded beneath the freezing-cold spans of immaculate white. Like many other fossils that have been excavated to study their history, Antarctica holds an immense amount of world history trapped in form of carbon in its icy core.
2) What are the indications for the future of humankind?
Through a mere 12,000 years of existence, humankind has created quite a mess on the planet. With our vehicles and industries, we pump out 37 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, creating a blanket of this gas around the world. This and other greenhouse gases increase the temperature of the planet leading to global warming and other atmospheric complications. The ozone layer gets depleted, allowing the harmful UV-rays to penetrate the atmosphere. The glaciers start melting and the ocean levels rise. We are battling out our existence with other species due to the limitation of resources on the planet. The research data from the Antarctica has made us realize the truth of climate change and global warming. It has a vital role to play in the discussion of the planet's climate change as well as in the future of all the life forms on the earth.
3) What are Geoff Green's reasons for including high school students in the 'Students on Ice' expedition?
He decides to take high school students on such expeditions, because they are the future of the planet. They are the leaders in the making who will design policies and take crucial decisions in the coming decades. A journey to the Antarctic is a way to sensitize these students towards the delicate balance of nature when their minds are tender and absorb such ideas readily. It is a way to inculcate in them a respect for the planet, and good values for sustaining the only home we know.
4) ‘Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves.’ What is the relevance of this statement in the context of the Antarctic environment?
The statement holds prominence not only in the context of the Antarctic, but also in the larger picture of the sustenance of life on the planet, and the planet itself. The planet, Nature and the life forms inhabiting it are in such a delicate balance that small steps have immense repercussions. In a way, we can call it the butterfly effect. It is a phenomenon whereby a small change at one place in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere. A butterfly flapping its wings in Johannesburg may give rise to a storm in London.
In the text, Tishani Doshi has used a concrete and the most relevant example of phytoplankton to illustrate the point. Phytoplankton are microscopic single-celled plants that produce organic compounds through photosynthesis. These grasses of the sea nourish and sustain the entire Southern Ocean's food chain. But now, the depletion of the ozone layer is affecting the activities of these phytoplankton. This in turn affects the lives of all the marine animals and birds in the region. If there is a disruption in the food chain over there, it is going to have serious repercussions for life on the entire planet. A small decision made today can lead to a significantly different future ten years from now. Similarly, according to this metaphor of phytoplankton, a small change in our environment can have a huge impact on the planet a few years into the future.
5) Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the earth’s present, past and future?
Antarctica was a part of a larger landmass Gondwana about 650 million years ago. This supercontinent thrived for almost 500 million years, had a warm temperature and possessed a diverse flora and fauna. Following its separation, the region that is now Antarctica experienced a dip in the temperature, and it turned frigid. There has never been human interference in the region in terms of establishment of civilization and subsequent disruption of ecosystem. At present, the ecosystem over there is quite simple with little biodiversity. A little change in the environment of Antarctica can have immense consequences. Further, the ice layers hold carbon records that are millions of years old. Therefore, it is the perfect place to understand the earth's present, past and future.
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