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 kilometers. The ice
sheet plays a crucial role in controlling the
earth’s heat balance as it reflects more than
80 percent of the sun rays.
South Africa, as the only Africa
signatory of the Antarctic Treaty, maintains a
permanent presence in Antarctica. South Africa’s
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 Africa’s 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 Africa’s
scientific research on the Antarctica. The Department
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism provides
logistical and infrastructure support for South
Africa’s 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.
Issued by the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Department
of Science and Technology.
