Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 08/28/2011 - 05:41

Mike, Your journals have prompted me to think environmentally about Antarctica. All those different recycling bins! Obviously, the folks at McMurdo are trying to make as little impact as possible on the environment. I was wondering what is generating the large amount of electricity needed (lighting needed pretty much 24 hours a day right now) and heat for the buildings (always needed)? Our county in NJ converts trash to steam to generate electricity. What is McMurdo using? Lynn G.

Michael League

Wow! Great question. It seems like everywhere I turn at McMurdo, thereis a sign urging me to use power wisely. I think the answer to your
question is a combination of fuels, wind power, and some solar power. I
am not sure, so I will have to do some more research.
As a side note, I was hiking up Ob Hill yesterday with Dr. Stacy Kim and
we saw some wind turbines in the distance. I was thinking about looking
into that question more deeply. Thanks for the idea! We'll get to the
bottom of your question in a journal in the next week or so, so stay
tuned!
Glad to see that you are thinking so environmentally. Keep it up!
Mike

Anonymous

Thanks Mike, I had not thought of solar, I keep thinking about how it is dark all the time right now. BUT, wind turbines are very exciting. I look forward to your future posts. Lynn G.