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Japan considering new base on Antarctica

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why don't you just do some basic reading and inform yourself,

I have done just that, thank you.

And I have learned that most of those 'research' results are based on computer models. Output of computer programs isn't research it is conjecture. And when those models don't match what happens in the real world, both the models and their 'research' become useless.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@ @Mike O'Brien

Since the research results of 95%+ of scientists looking at climate change are published in daily newspapers and available on the internet, why don't you just do some basic reading and inform yourself, but it seems you have decided to believe the few scientists hired by the oil industry to try and confuse the public, yourself included.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Yes, you are correct

Thank you. Now back to my questions. What research and tipping point?

such as when the earth was 400 ppm, during the Pliocene period, oceans were 9 meters higher

The Earth has had ice ages when CO2 was greater than 1000ppm, and 20,000 years ago sea level was 120 meters lower than it was in the 1700's yet the CO2 level 20,000 years ago was about the same as it was in the 1700's. Because sea level, ice ages and global temperature are affected by a whole host of things other than CO2.

The claims of a tipping point (with each claimant having their own point) are all based on models, the same models that haven't been able to correctly predict climate changes over the past 30+ years.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@Mike O'Brien

I mean the CO2 level for most of Earth's existence has exceeded 1000 ppm, so if our current 400 ppm has passed some tipping point why wasn't this tipping point exceeded when CO2 levels where more than twice the present value?

Yes, you are correct that CO2 levels have been much higher in the past. Just a few differences you might want to consider, such as when the earth was 400 ppm, during the Pliocene period, oceans were 9 meters higher, which would mean that most major cities would be under water. Also, temperatures were 2-3 degrees higher, and animals such as horses or camels lived in the high arctic. With the population as it is, there is no way for people to move in search of food. So reaching a tipping point means we are passing a level where anything resembling our present settlement and agricultural model can be sustained. What lies ahead is great human turmoil, though the planet will still be around, which should let you sleep well at night.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

China will block this as they have documents dating back to the Qing Dynasty claiming that they own the snowy continent.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

we have already reach a tipping point according to tons of research being carried out now.

What research and tipping point would that be?

I mean the CO2 level for most of Earth's existence has exceeded 1000 ppm, so if our current 400 ppm has passed some tipping point why wasn't this tipping point exceeded when CO2 levels where more than twice the present value?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

What is the point of knowing about climate change tens of thousands of years ago when human induced climate change was not an issue. Much better to spend time and money on actually reducing greenhouse gas emissions as we have already reach a tipping point according to tons of research being carried out now.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'm sorry but what the hell do they expect to gain from doing this? Are they going to find the answer to low birth rates in air from a million years ago? Is it going to fix the economy? Cure cancer? What an absolute waste of money.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Let's hope this doesn't spark another territorial dispute with China.

Cannot... resist...urge....aaarrgggh

Because Antarctica is ancient and undisputed territory of a country that I will not mention? (Starts with "C")

I'll go back to eating lunch now.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Let's hope this doesn't spark another territorial dispute with China.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This news is missing an important piece of information. The Russian Vostok Station, over Lake Vostok, drilled for years in order to reach a huge body of water that's been isolated for 15-25 million. They have already taken samples but the full results haven't made public. So no, there is no chase for a "record" as any Japanese scientist (and many non scientists) would know about Lake Vostok.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

A new base is a yet another luxury Japan cannot afford. Japan should sort out it's finances before making further outlays such as this, or show how spending the money could produce some kind of a pay-off and see if there aren't private funds willing to invest. (My guess is not.)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Mr. Perfect

At the proposed new base, scientists would be able to drill down to reach ice that formed 1 million years ago, beating the current sampling record held by a European team, which has looked at 800,000-year-old ice

Why are Japanese so obsessed with breaking records?

Where does it say that they are?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@ka_chan - your right. An article last week suggesting tourism is taxing the "Frozen Continent" but mores are the "scientific" expeditions. While I am all for science and exploration it must be executed responsibly. China's planned Antarctica expansion I would certainly have concern.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I thought that there is already a issue to too many people going down to Antarctica and affecting the place. Most likely, Japan want another base because China is planing on building a 5th base. As for that treaty, it isn't worth the paper it is written on. It is like that treating banning whaling but it doesn't completely. But Japan better be prepared to put troops that then it seems some of those science experiment have military purposes. Something Australia complained about the Chinese base. The scientific activities are becoming more and more suspect.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

"Abe cuts funding for education subsidies and welfare programs for the lower income brackets by saying Japan doesn't have the revenue to support them but can somehow find the revenue to build a new research base in the Antarctic for the sake of beating a record"

This is the question of the decade...if not longer

and what about the surviving people who lost their homes jobs etc, in the stricken regions of 3 11 11? where is the money for them..but they aparrently have money for building the new olypics facillities, and sending money abroad.

lets see the thumbs down on this...

7 ( +8 / -2 )

At the proposed new base, scientists would be able to drill down to reach ice that formed 1 million years ago, beating the current sampling record held by a European team, which has looked at 800,000-year-old ice.

Why are Japanese so obsessed with breaking records? Abe cuts funding for education subsidies and welfare programs for the lower income brackets by saying Japan doesn't have the revenue to support them but can somehow find the revenue to build a new research base in the Antarctic for the sake of beating a record.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Nice photo.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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