Climate change scientists waiting for 'all clear' to restart Arctic research mission

Due to unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, dozens of scientists are waiting in quarantine for ‘all-clear’ to join Arctic research mission. According to an international media report, international mission was called off as countries went into lockdown and shattered plans to bring fresh supplies and crew to German research vessel Polarstern. mission was aimed at improving models used for forecasting climate change, however, plan was affected just as expedition reached a crucial phase. 

While speaking to an international media outlet, Maw Shupe, who is an atmospheric scientist at University of Coloro and co-leer of MOSAiC expedition, said that news of pandemic caused jitters among those alrey on board. He ded that several people just wanted to be home with ir families. He furr informed that almost 90 scientists and crew h also been kept in isolation to ensure y were virus-free. 

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‘Important transition’

While organisers at Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Ocean Research reportedly mand to fly out a handful of people via Cana last month, rest of crew will w be exchanged with help of two or German research ships that will meet Polarstern on sea ice edge. Shupe said that ‘upcoming rendezvous’ will force Polarstern to abandon its current position for three weeks at a critical time in Arctic cycle. 

Shupe said, “We are on cusp right w of onset of sea ice melt season and that’s a really important transition. That could happen when ship is gone. It’s a distinct risk we face”. 

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However, he also said that to avoid out on key data. Researchers will also leave some instruments behind to measure atmospheric measurements and hope that y are still re when y return. Shupe said that ice could come toger and destroy everything, but to record data, scientists can just hope that thing happens. 

Furrmore, Scientists, however, also believe that coronavirus pandemic could make people see and understand that climate problem. Shupe believes that intense interest in research about virus could have a positive kck-on effect for fields such as climate science. Although researchers on MOSAiC are hoping to deal with one problem at a time, hence y are taking strict quarantine measures to avoid any chance of carrying Viru into Arctic. 

(Im/ Inputs: AP)

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