Filmed in 3 Cryospheric regions, the documentary film the Climate Challenge follows scientists as a part of the Indian expeditions to document their research in order to understand the changing climate. These expeditions are undertaken by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, under the aegis of Ministry of Earth Science, Govt. of India.
The implications of climate change are the highest in the Arctic. This region is getting warmed up like never before causing changes to sea ice, snow cover, glacier mass balance and permafrost thawing. Scientists fear that these changes could lead to further warming of the earth. The region is also of special significance to the Indian subcontinent as several studies have shown that there exists a teleconnection between the northern polar region and Indian monsoon intensity. In order to understand these changes and its impacts, India has established a permanent research base “Himadri” in the high arctic region of Ny Alesund, Svalbard. HIMADRI ‘the abode of snow’ is India’s first research station located at the International Arctic Research base, NyÅlesund, Svalbard, Norway. Himadri provides extensive field and laboratory support required for pursuing research activities in the Arctic. Every year several batches of scientists visit this station for carrying on research in several disciplines ranging from understanding of Arctic Glaciers, Fjords, Permafrost degradations, atmospheric studies to emerging pollutants in the Arctic.
Probably one of the most challenging expedition in terms of gathering scientific data is this expedition. A team of scientists who are monitoring these glaciers not just have to brave the cold, but also need to fight the Altitude, with most of their field site being more than 17000 ft. At this altitude the effective oxygen percentage is just around 11%. (Sea Level 20.9%). The National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research, has initiated the Himalayan cryospheric programme. As a part of this initiative, the centre has launched the glaciological studies on six benchmark glaciers of the Chandra basin in the Lahul and Spiti district. To facilitate scientists in carrying out their studies, the centre has also established a high altitude research station“Himansh” that serves as a base camp at an altitude of 4080 meters at a remote region in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.
Southern Ocean has an immense influence on the Earth’s climatic system. This ocean encompasses the Antarctic continent and connects the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. It stores and transports more heat and carbon dioxide than any other latitudinal band on Earth. Over the last several decades this part of the ocean are undergoing some drastic changes. The oceans have warmed up and freshened. This has lead to an effect on the physical, biological and biogeochemical parameter of the ocean affecting the marine ecosystem. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research has so far launched 11 expeditions to the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Southern ocean has a reputation of being one of the most extreme ocean. Here the weather can change dramatically without any warming making it extremely challenging to for the scientist to conduct research.
