Road to South Pole

[seekerofwisdom]

Although technically in keeping with the Antartic treaty I have to confess I am dismayed that another pristine environemtn is being developed, even if in the name of science.

Its a few months old but I only heard about it the other day.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/2003-02-10-antarctic-road_x.htm

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A century after pioneer explorers with dogs and horse-drawn sleds tried to cross from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole, American engineers may carve a 1,000-mile track so supplies can be driven to the pole.

--- Will carve. Its definitely on the go.

The South Pole trail idea came from a study of transport options for servicing the South Pole station from the coast, Brown said. Currently, that is all done by ski-equipped C130 Hercules cargo planes carrying 25,000 pounds per flight.

Brown said providing support to the South Pole base and its science programs needs more than 250 such flights each summer season, from Oct. 1 to Feb. 25.

Currently, the maximum number of support flights to the continent is 260 a year.

-- I guess there is an arguement for it in a scientific context. I guess my own emtional feelings may seem irrational in being against such a project. How do others feel?

[JailBush]

1. If they have to build a road to support a South Pole base,

they need to cut back on their South Pole activities. No Road!

[Kolesar]

2. A natural gas pipeline from Alaska to the midwest sounds pretty bad, too

Sorry to sidetrack your thread, but there was about no discussion of the natural gas pipeline's environmental effects when the "energy bill" was up for discussion.

[lfairban]

3. Presuming a compelling scientific need for the activity . . .

. . . I start to wonder about the environmental impact of 250 cargo flights a year. A ground route might have far less negative impact.

[seekerofwisdom]

4. I think thats the key phrase

"Presuming a compelling scientific need for the activity"

I could understand climate monitoring and perhaps archaeological tube bores in the ice, but there should be a limit placed on what does/does not require research in Antarctica. E.g. research into microbiological growth in artic regions.