Journey To The End Of The Earth

About the author: Tishani Doshi is a poet and journalist and also a dancer
from India. She has written many books on fiction. She has done B A from Queens
College in North Carolina and also she is fond of traveling and her most exciting
journey was to Antarctica.

Introduction: Tishani Doshi’s ‘Journey to the End of the Earth’ details her
journey to the world’s coldest, driest, and windiest continent: Antarctica.
Antarctica is a geological time capsule. Geoff Green’s ‘Students on Ice’ initiative
transports high school students to the ends of the world. Doshi believes that
Antarctica is the best site to visit in order to have a better understanding of the
earth’s present, past, and future.

Gist of the lesson:

Beginning of Journey- The narrator joined the ‘Akademik Shokalskiy,’ a
Russian research ship. It was on its way to Antarctica, the world’s coldest, driest,
and windiest continent. His expedition began at Madras, 13.09 degrees north of
the Equator (Chennai). He travelled across nine different time zones, six
checkpoints, three bodies of water, and at least three ecospheres. To get there, he
drove, flew, and sailed for more than 100 hours.

Southern Supercontinent (Gondwana)– A large southern supercontinent

called Gondwana existed six hundred and fifty million years ago. It was centred
roughly on modern-day Antarctica. Humans had not yet arrived on the global
stage. The climate was substantially warmer at the time. It was home to a wide
range of plants and fauna. When the dinosaurs became extinct and the age of
mammals began, the landmass was forced to divide into the countries that exist
today.

The visit was intended to educate participants about Antarctica. It was to gain a
better understanding of the Cordilleran folds and Precambrian granite shields; of
ozone and carbon; and of evolution and extinction. Antarctica contains around
90% of the world’s total ice volume. As large as countries, icebergs are. In 24-
hour austral summer light, the days go on indefinitely.

Human Impact- The most contentious argument of our time is whether or not
the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will completely melt. Antarctica is the place (for us) to
go if we want to study the Earth’s past, present, and future.

Antarctica’s ecosystem is simple and devoid of biodiversity. It is the ideal location

to examine how small changes in the environment can have significant
consequences (results). Scientists warn that continued ozone depletion will have a
detrimental effect on the region’s aquatic creatures and birds. Additionally, it will
affect the global carbon cycle.

The burning of fossil fuels has contributed to the pollution of the atmosphere. It
has resulted in the formation of a global carbon dioxide blanket. It is increasing
the global temperature, as seen by the melting of icebergs in Antarctica. It
demonstrates how minute changes in the atmosphere may have a profound effect. If
global temperatures continue to rise, the human race may be endangered.
“Students on ice” is a programme that provides an adequate chance for students
to comprehend how global temperature can pose a serious threat to human
existence. It instils in them new knowledge. According to Geoff Green, high school
kids are the future policymakers. They can contribute to averting ecological
disasters and mitigating the consequences of global warming.

Effect of Climatic Change- The author uses an example to demonstrate

how even minor changes in the atmosphere can be dangerous. Phytoplankton are
microscopic single-celled plants. They provide sustenance for the entire Southern
Ocean food chain. They utilise the energy of the sun to digest carbon and provide
oxygen. Further ozone depletion may impair this function and, indirectly, the lives
of all marine species.

Walk on the Ocean- It was the most exhilarating experience of the trip. They
walked on the ocean after climbing down the gangplank. There were 52 of them.
They were walking on a meter-thick ice pack. There were 180 metres of living,
breathing saltwater beneath the ice layer. Seals were basking in the sun on ice.
The narrator was taken aback by the magnificence of the setting. He desired it
would not become as heated as it once was millions of years ago. If this occurs, the
consequences could be disastrous.

Conclusion.
The whole lesson is about the writer’s learnings and observations from Antarctica.
It is high time that we realize the impact and consequences of climate change. it is
very easy to disregard it while sitting in your home but not so much when you go to
Antarctica and see the icebergs melting in front of your eyes.

It is necessary to spread awareness about it, especially among youngsters as they

are the future policymakers and action takers. Humans in order to advance quicker
have put everything at stake. The rapidly growing industries and Megacities have
led to the global temperatures rising. In this never-ending rat race, it is high time
to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

Glossary :
 Expansive – Covering a wide space.
 Vessel – A large Ship.
 Ecoshpheres – the parts of the universe habitable by living organisms.
 Horizon – The line where Earth’s surface and sky appear to meet.
 Profound – Very Intense.
 Immensity – Extremely Large size.
 Isolation – Separateness.
 Amalgamated – Combined.
 Supercontinent – All the continents when they were near each other.
 Gondwana – A Southern Supercontinent consisting of India, South America,
Antarctica, and Africa.
 Hosting – Containing.
 Flora and Fauna – All plant and animal life.
 Thrived – To grow and develop.
 Grasp – To understand.
 Mind-Boggling – Overwhelming.
 Jamming – Squeeze into something.
 Buckle – Bend.
 Crust – Hard outer layer.
 passage – Way.
 Frigid – Very Cold.
 Desolate – Without People.
 Prospect – A possibility.
 Devoid – Without
 Metabolic – a chemical process that converts food into energy.
 Microscopic – Very Small.
 Markers – Signs.
 Midges – A small mosquito.
 Debates – Discussions.
 Gangplank – A board that is used to walk between a Ship and shore.
 Biodiversity – Variety of living things.
 Sunning – Enjoying the sunlight.
 The Equator – An imaginary line dividing the world into two halves.
 Landmass – A large land.
 Million – 10 Lakhs.
 Giant – Huge.
 Evolution – Slow Development.
 Carbon Records – Information about Earth’s Level of carbon dioxide.
 Repercussion – Result.
 Mites – Insects.
 Ubiquitous – Something that is present everywhere.
 Floes – Floating sheets of ice.
 Mammoths – Elephant-like animals that existed millions of years ago.
 Wooly Rhinos – Rhinos covered in wool that existed millions of years ago.
 Epiphanies – A very emotional moment.
 Parable – A short story.
 Blase – Without any kind of worries.