Three geoscientists from Nova Scotia recently returned from a month-long expedition to Antarctica where they conducted research on the effects of climate change. Katie MacIntosh, Heather Pearce, and Denise Brushett were part of a team of experts studying various aspects of the continent’s environment.
MacIntosh, a marine geomatics engineer originally from Antigonish but working in London, England, shared her emotional experience of finally setting foot on Antarctica despite her wetsuit leaking during a snorkeling attempt from the zodiac to the land. The team, led by Sea Women Expeditions, comprised two dozen women from different countries focusing on climate change research.
The scientists engaged in scuba diving and snorkeling activities to collect data under the water, studying leopard seal behavior, testing whale bones, and mapping glaciers. Despite the seriousness of their work, they also represented their home by playing Maritime tunes on a speaker while deploying robotic gear from a zodiac.
Heather Pearce, a geoscientist consultant from Chester, described the profound experience of scuba diving near glaciers to study benthic marine life. Denise Brushett, originally from the Lake Ainslie area and now living in Halifax, specialized in mapping and was awestruck by the beauty and impact of melting ice in Antarctica.
The team encountered newly formed lagoons and witnessed evidence of the retreat of ice through fresh ridges and boulders. Brushett expressed a sense of responsibility to share their findings with others and plans to raise awareness about climate change by analyzing the data collected during the expedition and speaking in schools.
The Nova Scotia scientists aim to use their experiences in Antarctica to educate others and advocate for climate action in the coming year.