Antarctica, the dream of planting a tree

Author: Bai Shan Shan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-09-01
Features: Antarctica, the most remote, isolated, and frigid continent on Earth, is also a land of wonder and sanctity that captivates everyone. How can children who love nature and adventure be an exception! The book "A Dream of Planting a Tree in Antarctica" before you records the observations and experiences of a journalist working in Antarctica, presenting a real Antarctica to readers. Perhaps it is precisely because the author is a journalist rather than a professional scientist that this popular science book is exceptionally accessible. As an extracurricular reading material, it is indeed a great choice for children. "To write about Antarctica with a different pen, to view Antarctica with a different perspective, and to present popular science in a different way—it is the combination of science and art, seeking the best way for humans to harmonize with the environment." The book introduces many aspects of Antarctica to young readers through vivid illustrations and text, such as Antarctic rocks, Antarctic volcanoes, Antarctic fossils, Antarctic lakes, Antarctic lights, and, of course, Antarctic animals: seals and sea lions, penguins, gulls, etc. It also provides a brief introduction to the Chinese Antarctic Scientific Expedition Team. Although this is a popular science book, it is easy to understand, supplemented by rich visual materials, making reading more convenient and enjoyable for readers.
Excerpt: What Do People Eat in Antarctica
Antarctica is a barren land where no higher plants grow, and the animals there are protected species, meaning no one is allowed to hunt them freely. So, what do the personnel of the various expeditions eat, and where does the food come from? The answer is simple: the personnel of each country's expedition continue to eat according to their own dietary habits. All supplies are delivered by their respective countries' research vessels when they bring in the next batch of personnel, replenishing enough food and fuel for the entire year. Then, the vessels return after picking up the winter-over team from the previous year and the summer team for the current season. In the polar regions, there are four types of food: fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, frozen foods, and homemade bean products. The East Antarctic Expedition replenishes fresh fruits and meat at the last port they pass through in Australia. The West Antarctic Expedition not only replenishes supplies when passing through Chile but can also receive some fresh fruits and even Chilean watermelons after reaching the next station, which is truly a delightful thing. Generally, the living conditions of the summer teams are much better. Because the season is short, there is a plenty of vegetables and fruits, so it is not difficult. When conducting field research for a day, it is essential to carry enough food to sustain yourself in case of emergencies. There are many ice lakes in the mountains, so water is not a significant issue. Of course, only cold food is available. If camping in the field, it is necessary to bring alcohol stoves. Eating a bowl of hot instant noodles or frozen dumplings can make your stomach feel much better. In winter, transportation is almost cut off, and only the vegetables and fruits in the cold storage are available. Most of the time, people rely on canned food, with the freshest vegetables being homemade sprouts. The winter-over team faces much harsher living conditions, especially in the later stages, when they have almost no vegetables. During our 13th expedition to Prydz Bay, due to heavy snow and wind, the team could not reach the station, and the "Snow Dragon" had to wait on the ice. The deputy leader of the second winter-over team, Xue Zhen, reported back to the ship, and the cook gave him a bowl of cabbage noodles. Old Xue ate it with great enjoyment, saying that there were no vegetables left on the station. Without taking anything with him, he just brought back a few cabbages and rushed back through the wind and snow, saying he wanted to let the winter-over team eat vegetables a day earlier. Some expedition members brought narcissus to Antarctica, and some countries' expeditions even grew morning glories in their buildings. Seeing these things, I often wish that one day, we could build a greenhouse in the station area, bring some soil from China, and grow some vegetables, or even plant a tree. That way, our research station could also have a touch of green life—how wonderful would that be!