Karen Romano Young and Antarctica: The Melting Continent

Author, artist, and scientist Karen Romano Young just released her latest book, Antarctica: The Melting Continent. I got to read a copy and talk to Karen about it. I asked about the research that she did in Antarctica:

“I helped other scientists (led by Pete Countway and Paty Matrai) research Phaeocystis antarctica, a phytoplankton that produces dimethylsulfioniopropionate (DMSP), which in turn seeds clouds.  We gathered water and placed it in a machine called an Ecostat. This sat outside to mimic the light and temperature – it was just on shore – and a system of rocking arms recreated the ocean action. They analyzed the water to see what influenced the life cycle of the Phaeocystis. “

As Karen explains in the book, this phytoplankton Phaeocystis makes these “cloud seeds” and then “water molecules stick onto these gassy ‘cloud seeds’ and ride them high into the sky. This is what helps make Antarctica so cloudy – a phenomenon that impacts the weather patterns of the rest of the world, as clouds contribute to the cooling or warming of Earth’s surface.”

 This phytoplankton has a huge effect on global weather, and science happening in Antarctica is helping us understand how that works.

Art from the book. Illustrated by Angela Hsieh.

Something very special about this book is all the scientist profiles that it includes:

“It's absolutely vital to me to show the scientists, to show that they are from different countries and backgrounds and genders, etc., so that the most possible readers can see themselves reflected. It's also important to show how many different STEAM fields there are and how many different science stories the scientists are trying to get to the bottom of, and all the different places and methods they use to do so. 

 “I hope that readers will come away with a sense that there is a great deal to learn about the world, and that Antarctica is waiting for them.” 

Art by Angela Hsieh

Art by Angela Hsieh

I definitely came away with that feeling. This whole book feels like an expedition to Antarctica. On that note, I wanted to end with this inspiring quote from the book:

"Working in Antarctica, it’s easy to feel as small as a tiny krill getting sucked into a bottle dropped from a small boat: what difference does one small piece of data, one small scientist (or writer) make? The answer is that each small piece goes a long way to opening the window not just on how Antarctica works, but also the entire world. Each person – and each piece of information they gather – adds to that story. And there’s plenty more to find out, plenty more room in Antarctica for the next generation of Antarcticans, plenty more windows to be opened to understand this amazing continent. Go, if you possibly can." 

Thank you, Karen, for sharing this informative, inspiring book!