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Global Warming Under the Microscope
(October 5, 2004) -
The five tons of greenhouse gases that every Canadian produces
a year are radically changing the Arctic. One of the effects of
climatic change is now well known: the melting of the polar icecap
is slowly but surely opening up the Northwest Passage, once an
unusable sea route. So the question now is no longer whether cargo
ships can sail through it, but rather when.
With a front-row seat for observing the disruptive
effects of human and animal populations on the delicate balance
of ecosystems, Canada is funding a series of scientific, commercial
and individual initiatives.
Spearheading the scientific research is undoubtedly
the icebreaker CCGS Amundsen, equipped with a high-tech data-recording
and communications system, labs and a helicopter. It can accommodate
researchers from 15 universities, seven Canadian institutes and
foreign countries to collect information for the International
Arctic Polynya Programme Northwater study (NOW). In
addition to those studies, there’s the ArcticNet project
headed by Professor Louis Fortier of Université Laval,
which is drawing the links between natural science, medical and
social research findings.
Other Canadian teams are involved in international
research, including the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
project, which is looking at how the climate and UV rays have
altered Arctic ice. Professor David Barber of the University of
Manitoba is concerned about the impact of these changes on aquatic
fauna and vegetation.
Yet many secrets remain locked in the ice. Associate
Professor Marianne Douglas of the University of Toronto’s
Geology Department is looking for diatomic species that can be
used to reconstruct environmental changes related to global warming.
Terry Prowse, a researcher with the National Water Research Institute,
is looking at the impact of flow regulation on the hydrology and
ecology of northern rivers and deltas, as well as the risks of
flooding caused by ice-jams.
Moreover, Ian Stirling of the Canadian Wildlife
Service is carrying out a series of studies using remote sensing
equipment to understand how polar bears are altering their diet
to obtain the basic nutrients they need to survive.
Lastly, Derek Muir, a researcher with the National
Water Research Institute and 2004 recipient of the Royal Society
of Canada’s Miroslaw Romanowski Medal, is working on persistent
organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury in the Canadian Arctic.
Muir’s work made a substantial contribution to the Stockholm
Convention on POPs.
All these researchers will talk about their work in the Polar
Science Blossoms in Canada session today from 2 to 5:30 p.m.
in the Ballroom.
Photo: Martin
Fortier - CASES
Denise Proulx
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