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Part 1 Programme Outline
00.00 - 03.25 The Larson Ice Shelf is shown from the air. Huge cracks suggest imminent break-up. Recent disintegration is described. 03.25 - 06.30 Dr Rodolfo del Valle blames the 'greenhouse effect'. Commentary describes how the Antarctic climate has warmed by 2.5°C since 1948, at an increasing rate. 06.30 - 11.27 Film of the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise managing the first-ever circumnavigation of James Ross Island. The film and commentary indicate how the island has lost its protective ice sheets. Glaciers which fed them have disappeared from James Ross Island. Commentary summarises the findings of this voyage, suggesting that 'order will descend into chaos' if these trends continue.  11.27 - 15.37 Commentary describes normal ice-flow processes. Dr David Vaughan of the British Antarctic Survey discusses some of the implications: - normal ice-flow processes
- possible loss of the Wilkins, Larson B and Larson C shelves
- the rapid rise in sea levels when land-based ice loses the protective floating ice which surrounds it
- 60m rises in sea level if all of Antarctica's ice were to melt
- imminent climate change as a result of changing global pathways of ocean currents and air masses
15.37 - 16.35 Prof Andrew Clark elaborates on changes in ocean currents, using predictions from computer models. One likely outcome is the disappearance of the Gulf Stream. 16.35 - 17.26 Dr Vaughan comments on consequences for other parts of the world. The break-up of the ice sheets might lead to: - increase of global temperatures
- instability in monsoons and mid-latitude depressions
- breakdown of global weather systems
17.26 - end Important commentary on changes to the rate of warming. Catastrophe could follow if some pessimistic forecasts come true.
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