Media Releases

Ice Cold Facts - Antarctic Science and Climate Change, Hobart on June 22

Scientists at work in Antarctica
Photo credit: Doug Thost

Sixty countries are currently participating in the largest scientific survey of the planet in decades. The study is part of the 2007-2008 International Polar Year and the data will give a real-time picture of what’s happening to our planet and how climate change will affect all of us.

Australian scientists have just returned from the Census of Antarctic Marine Life, which collected strange creatures from a 2 km-deep ocean floor. Some of these have never been seen before. The scientists also noted massive changes to Antarctic ice shelves and glaciers including a free-floating iceberg, 38 km long and 18km wide, estimated to contain 315 trillion litres of fresh water.

Scientists will be presenting and explaining what they’ve found at Ice Cold Facts – Antarctic Science and Climate Change, a one-day science show in Hobart on June 22. The show is part of Tasmania's Antarctic Midwinter Festival (Friday 20 June to Sunday 29 June).

Hobart is the principal Antarctic connection in Australia. The scientists will make public their work – a fantastic amount of research work is undertaken in Antarctica but the research is rarely delivered first hand much less known about – by, somewhat unusually, speaking to the public in language they will understand.

The Midwinter Festival is a celebration of Hobart’s ties to Antarctica and includes a Midwinter Solstice Party, a Lantern Parade, the One Planet Extreme Environment Photo Competition, the Longest Night Film Festival, and a Huskies Picnic in St David’s Park.

Contact:  Paul Cullen, Midwinter Festival Director (03) 6233 5949 or paul.cullen@development.tas.gov.au