a global warming observatory

Sophie Faille, an emergency physician, was selected to be the doctor at the French scientific base Dumont d’Urville in Antarctica for 15 months. The 6th episode focuses on climate research in this polar environment.

As has been the case every day since the 1950s, the two forecasters and the technician at the base’s weather station are preparing to release a large weather balloon into the air. For the occasion, it is our doctor, Sophie Faille, who will release the balloon, under the supervision of Rachel, the manager of the weather station.You’re lucky, there’s no wind.“, exclaims the latter. She explains to Sophie the procedure, the important points, and then, the ball is released, o We see the small blue light of the probe moving away into the distance.

These probes are sent to several thousand meters of altitude every day at the same time, like dozens of others across the world. They allow to measure the temperature, humidity, speed and direction of the wind.O n uses the model of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). It uses all the radiosonde data it sees in the world at the given time, so dozens of them. It also uses data from satellites and ground stations. And from that, it launches the forecast“, Rachel explains.

The climate is carefully scrutinized here. At the heart of the research carried out on this scientific basis: global warming. Sophie accompanies Mélanie, an ornithologist, on the ice floe, she studies penguins.The effect of these changes on polar ecosystems is being studied“, explains Mélanie. She is trying to understand how these penguins adapt to rapid changes in their environment.”Ultimately, this allows us to propose conservation measures” she explains.

Why study the poles?The poles play a role on our entire planet and they are unfortunately the first to suffer from global warming.“, explains Melanie. According to her, “It is important to describe what is happening so that we can take steps to, perhaps not avoid it, but at least limit it.“. “And many observe a melting of the ice, a reduction in the ice cap or a reduction in the mass of the glaciers, assures Melanie. All of this already has an impact on the planet, it is the climate as a whole and it accelerates global warming.“.

“My life in Antarctica”, an original franceinfo podcast by Solenne Le Hen, broadcast by Thomas Coudreuse, to be found on the franceinfo website, the Radio France application and several other platforms such as Apple podcasts, Podcast Addict, Spotify, or Deezer.