The Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw, is travelling to Antarctica on 19 November to see first-hand New Zealand’s leading research work on the southern icy continent.

“This is a life-long dream personally and an extraordinary opportunity professionally to see what Antarctic research is telling us about climate change,” James Shaw says.

“I’m really looking forward to understanding the importance of New Zealand’s Antarctic research around climate change.

“I only have three days down there but Antarctica New Zealand hopes to take me to visit scientists working in the field.

“I am also hoping to join Kiwi scientists studying the diet and behaviour of Weddell seals. The base line data they’re gathering will contribute to research on understanding the effectiveness of the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area.

“All of this, of course, will be contingent on the right weather conditions.

“But even if the weather closes in and prevents any field trips, I will still be able to learn more about the wide range of scientific work that Antarctica New Zealand supports from Scott Base,” says James Shaw.

“Antarctica’s fate will determine the fates of New Zealand’s coastal communities and our major cities.

“Changes are already happening on the icy continent as a result of the 1o Celsius rise in global temperatures since industrialisation.

“And a new study released today confirms the worrying warning signs from ice sheet melting in Greenland and Antarctica.

“The work New Zealand and other research teams are doing in Antarctica is vital to help us increase our understanding about the impacts of those changes.”

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