Antarctic Fin Whales - Nature’s Solution to Global Warming

Interestingly, Antarctica is considered a desert due to the minimal amount of annual rainfall of 50
mm, impeding the chances of survival for most plants and animals in this region. It is about 14 million
square kilometers in size, making it the world's largest desert.

The Antarctic Desert is an indispensable biome because it deflects the sun's rays away from earth,
making it livable by the temperature control offered by it. Additionally, if its ice sheets melt, it raises sea
levels and causes floods around the world. Moreover, the water surrounding Antarctica supports the entire
world’s sea life including species of dolphins, whales, penguins etc. and plankton, which is imperative for
provision of nourishment to the entire ocean food chain. The Kunsh Talwar - Voice for Ecology (KTVE)
Foundation has been associated with this biome since the last decade.

However, in recent years, it is a pressing concern for the Foundation, that Fin Whales are
severely vulnerable in Antarctica. As of 2022, there are 8,000 Fin Whales left in Antarctica. Human
activity including commercial whale hunting for Fin whales for oil, meat and baleen along with habitat
loss due to climate change has led to its vulnerability. Moreover, the threat to its existence is raised on
account of vessel strikes and ocean noise.

Our inconsideration for the environment comes at a high cost. Fin Whales play a vital role in the
health of the oceans, providing up to 50% of our oxygen, combat climate change and sustain fish stocks.
In fact, Fin Whales capture carbon-dioxide in their bodies throughout their lives. Sequestering
approximately 33 tons of carbon-dioxide, each whale is immensely valuable, as against trees that only
absorb 48 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Moreover, Fin Whales increase the production of microscopic
phytoplankton, which contribute at least 50% of our atmospheric oxygen by capturing 40% of carbon
dioxide produced around the world. Vulnerable Fin Whales also endangers the habitat for phytoplankton.

To conserve these majestic species, The KTVE Foundation has coordinated with fishing and
maritime businesses to prevent vessel strikes which take the lives of Fin Whales. Researchers also work
tirelessly to monitor the population of Fin Whales using higher resolution images of whales from space as
well as suction cups used to hold tracking devices placed on the back of whales to record data including
depth and temperature of water and underwater sounds. Banning commercials along with quota
applications on whale hunting has also been undertaken to conserve the species. More importantly
researchers have observed that Fin Whales feed on Krill. By protecting Krill habitat and breeding more of
the fish, Fin Whale population can be increased which in turn enables the survival of phytoplankton. This
 Antarctic Fin Whales - Nature’s Solution to Global Warming
is because Fin Whales consume Krill, they excrete iron, which is absorbed by crustaceans, which boost
the production of phytoplankton.

While these measures have been implemented for the protection of Fin Whales, the time lost
cannot be recovered. Consequently, the damage already caused to the biome is significant. Harmful
human activity for commercial gains and profits still persists at an unchecked rate across the globe, which
fuels global warming, destroying the Antarctic biome at a rapid pace, rendering this conservation
techniques ineffectual in the long run. Therefore, unethical consideration and choices like these have
increased the consequences in this outcome. Unless human activity does not become sustainable with
government intervention and grass-root-level action, species like the Fin Whale will not have chances for
survival.
 Antarctic Fin Whales - Nature’s Solution to Global Warming
Citations:

Title:Antarctica: a massive frozen landmass | WWF

Website title:WWF-UK
URL:https://www.wwf.org.uk/where-we-work/antarctic
Date accessed:January 30, 2023
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Contributors- not given

Title:Fin Whale | Species | WWF

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Title:Nature's Solution to Climate Change – IMF F&D

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mi
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Title:Fin Whale | NOAA Fisheries

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Contributors: not given

Title:Monitoring whales from space

Website title:British Antarctic Survey
URL:https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/monitoring-whales-from-space/
Date published:July 31, 2020
Date accessed:January 30, 2023
Author:Connor Bamford

Title:Whale Tracking Device | Smithsonian Ocean

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URL:https://ocean.si.edu/human-connections/exploration/whale-tracking-device
Published year- not given
Date accessed- January 24,2023
Contributors:not given
 Antarctic Fin Whales - Nature’s Solution to Global Warming

Title:Fin Whales Are Making a Comeback in Antarctic Waters, a Study Finds

Website title:The New York Times
URL:https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/climate/fin-whales-antarctica.html
Date published:July 11, 2022
Date accessed:January 30, 2023
Author:Winston Choi

Title:Endangered and vulnerable animals in Antarctica

Website title:Cool Antarctica
URL:https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/wildlife/endangered_antarctic_animals.p
hp
Published year: not given
Date accessed:January 30, 2023
Contributors: Not given

Title:What is the Largest Desert on Earth?

Website title:Universe Today
URL:https://www.universetoday.com/27064/what-is-the-largest-desert-on-earth/
Date published:September 1, 2016
Date accessed:January 30, 2023
Author:Fraser Cain