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Reuters
Sunday, December 10, 2006 22:49 IST

In the Antartic summer, scientist work around the clock to uncover the past of this ice-clad landscape, in order to better predict its future, and the future of the planet: "Antarctica is a prime place for this research because it serves as an early warning system for climate change and is a major influence on global weather.

Because about 90 per cent of the world’s ice volume and 70 per cent of its fresh water is on the southernmost continent, any substantial warming could cause a rise in sea levels around the globe. Tom Wagner of the US National Science Foundation said, 'Its ice sheets are the main player in sea level rise; there is already evidence that they are shrinking.'"

You can view the entire news report here:

Antarctica a living global warming lab