There are two kinds of icebergs — the happy ones and the sad ones.
When the massive ice formations are building and growing, they’re happy. When they are retreating, they’re not so thrilled.
Kiran Dhatt-Gauthier learned about this theory while sailing from Iceland to Greenland to the northern part of Labrador with 70-some other high school students from around the world during a Students on Ice expedition.
The Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School student had the opportunity to learn from 45 scientific specialists in a variety of disciplines — from biology to photography — while on board The Clipper Adventurer from July 23 to
Aug. 7.
While cruising in an inflatable Zodiac boat with other students, Dhatt-Gauthier said “we actually had to outrun the tsunami caused by the ice breaking off.”
Some of the chunks falling into the ocean were the size of SUVs, the 15-year-old said.
Dhatt-Gauthier said experts have been documenting certain icebergs over three decades.
During his sailing expedition with Students on Ice this summer, Kiran Dhatt-Gauthier snapped photos of local wildlife, such as this polar bear. Photo by Kiran Dhatt-Gauthier
“You see them recede miles and miles back,” he said. “To see what we’re actually doing to the environment is powerful.”
Dhatt-Gauthier said on one part of the trip, the boat sailed over what used to be a glacier.
“It’s amazing to see all this change happen,” he said.
The focus of the trip is to give involved youth “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity ... to expand their knowledge about the circumpolar world and to gain a new global perspective on the planet, its wonders and its present and future challenges,” the Students on Ice website stated.
Part of the application process required Dhatt-Gauthier to explain how he would relate what he learned on the trip with his hometown.
When he saw how Iceland had made efforts to better themselves environmentally, the Sudbury native said he could relate.
“It’s quite the inspiration to see these countries who are pushing for more green initiatives, like Sudbury, with our regreening process,” the student said. “It’s astounding to me to a see a city make an independent move to become more eco-friendly.
“If Iceland can do it, why can’t the rest of the world?” he added.
Since returning from the trip, Dhatt-Gauthier has thought about sharing his findings through Science North, and the idea of writing a book also crossed his mind.
“(Humans) have a profound connection to nature,” he said.
Along with learning about the arctic on a practical level, Dhatt-Gauthier also had the chance to explore some of his other hobbies.
The shutterbug won two on-board photo contests during the trip.
He said shooting in such an exotic location gave him the chance to capture things that he’s never witnessed first-hand before.
“(It’s) amazing coming up to these remote places because there is no idea for scale,” he said.
Other highlights of the trip were meeting the president of Iceland, who Dhatt-Gauthier called “down to earth,” and sailing alongside whales.
According to expedition leader Geoff Green, Dhatt-Gauthier “lived the experience to the fullest.”
As one of the younger expedition members, Dhatt-Gauthier was involved in a number of on and off-ship experiences.
Over the years, Green has taken nearly 1,700 students on expeditions.
“It’s valuable for the students in so many ways,” he said.
For more information on the program, visit studentsonice.com.
-Posted by Heather Green-Oliver
