Climate Change Halts Climate Change Study
A scientific survey ship sent to study the effects of climate change on Arctic coastal ecosystems has been delayed, thanks to Arctic sea ice drifting too far southward.
The much-anticipated Hudson Bay System Study (BaySys) has been in the works for years, and is a joint project between five Canadian universities. The study would have provided scientists with a clearer understanding of how climate change is impacting ecosystems on Canada's northern coast, along with the many communities that live there.
However, the survey ship, the CCGS Amundsen, needed to arrive at the site at a specific time to meet the study's research goals. A sudden influx of Arctic ice, caused by higher temperatures in the North Pole, would have delayed the ship for too long.
In a press release, Expedition Chief Scientist David Barber said:
"Considering the severe ice conditions and the increasing demand for Search And Rescue operations (SAR) and ice escort, we decided to cancel the BaySys mission. A second week of delay meant our research objectives just could not be safely achieved – the challenge for us all was that the marine ice hazards were exceedingly difficult for the maritime industry, the [Coast Guard], and science."
This means that scientists will have to wait another year for an opportunity to study the Canadian Arctic, one of the areas hardest hit by climate change. No doubt the scientists will plan ahead next year for even more climate change-related delays interfering with their mission, but with global temperatures rising each year more planning may not be enough.
Source: University of Manitoba
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