A new study published this week reveals the first evidence of a direct link between human-induced global warming and melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.  UK-US researchers say that curbing greenhouse gas emissions now could reduce the future sea-level contribution from this region.

Ice loss in West Antarctica has increased substantially in the last few decades and is ongoing.  Scientists have known for some time that ice loss in this region is caused by ocean-driven melt, and that varying winds in the region cause transitions between relatively warm and cool ocean conditions around key glaciers.  However, until now it was not clear how these naturally-occurring variations in the winds could cause ongoing ice loss. 

Publishing this week in the journal Nature Geoscience a UK-US science team report that, in addition to the natural variations, which last about a decade, there has been a longer-term change in the winds that can be linked with human activities.  This is an important result because continued ice loss could cause tens of centimetres of sea-level rise by the year 2100.

The research team combined satellite observations and climate model simulations to understand how winds over the ocean near West Antarctica have changed since the 1920s in response to rising greenhouse gas concentrations.  Their investigation reveals that human-induced climate change has caused a long-term change in the winds, and that warm ocean conditions have gradually become more prevalent as a result.

Lead author, Professor Paul Holland from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), says:

“The impact of human-induced climate change on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is not simple.  This is the first evidence for a direct link between human activities and the loss of ice from West Antarctica.

Our results imply that a combination of human activity and natural climate variations have caused ice loss in this region, accounting for around 4.5 cm of sea-level rise per century.”

The team also looked at model simulations of future winds. Prof Holland continues:

“An important finding is that if high greenhouse-gas emissions continue in future, the winds keep changing and there could be a further increase in ice melting.  However, if emissions of greenhouse gases are curtailed, there is little change in the winds from present-day conditions.  This shows that curbing greenhouse gas emissions now could reduce the future sea-level contribution from this region.”

Co-author, Professor Pierre Dutrieux from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University Earth Institute in New York, says:

“We knew this region was affected by natural climate cycles lasting about a decade, but these didn’t necessarily explain the ice loss.  Now we have evidence that a century-long change underlies these cycles, and that it is caused by human activities.”

Co-author, Professor Eric Steig from the University of Washington, says:

“These results solve a long-standing puzzle.  We have known for some time that varying winds near the West Antarctic Ice Sheet have contributed to the ice loss, but it has not been clear why the ice sheet is changing now.  Our work with ice cores drilled in the Antarctic Ice Sheet have shown, for example, that wind conditions have been similar in the past.  But the ice core data also suggest a subtle long-term trend in the winds.  This new work corroborates that evidence and, furthermore, explains why that trend has occurred.”

ENDS

West Antarctic ice loss influenced by anthropogenic forcing and internal climate variability is published by Paul R. Holland, Thomas J. Bracegirdle, Pierre Dutrieux, Adrian Jenkins and Eric J. Steig in the journal Nature Geoscience. Read it here (link will go live after embargo lifts): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-019-0420-9

Issued by the British Antarctic Survey Press Office:

Livia Oldland, Corporate and Internal Communications Manager | email: livand@bas.ac.uk | tel: +44 1223 221347; mobile: +44 7850 541910

Hannah Hickey, M.Sc., Sr. Public Information Officer / Science Writer University of Washington News | email: hickeyh@uw.edu | office: 001 206.543.2580 | direct: 001 206.616.7164 | @hickeyh

Kevin Krajick, Senior Editor, Science News | email: kkrajick@ei.columbia.edu | The Earth Institute/Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University | 001 212-854-9729;  cell: 001 917-361-7766| http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/author/kevin-krajick/

Notes to editors

Photographs of West Antarctica are available to download here:

ftp://ftp.nerc-bas.ac.uk/pub/photo/Antarctic_ice_loss

Note: right-click to save image first.

To download individual files: do not use an FTP Client, simply open the above link with any standard web browser (Firefox, IE, Safari etc), right click on the filename and select ‘save target/link/file as’ to begin the download

NB: if (when using a Mac) you are asked to login, simply click guest to proceed

Captions of images:

• View of Dotson ice shelf calving front (western Amundsen Sea, West Antarctica) taken aboard the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer after deploying the autonomous underwater vehicle Autosub3 under Pine Island ice shelf (credit: Pierre Dutrieux, Feb. 2009).
• Aerial view of Getz ice shelf calving front (western Amundsen Sea, West Antarctica) taken from a helicopter after deploying Autonomous Phase Sensitive radar on the ice to measure ocean-driven ice shelf melt continuously (credit: Pierre Dutrieux, Jan. 2018).
• View of Pine Island ice shelf calving front (eastern Amundsen Sea, West Antarctica) taken aboard the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer after deploying the autonomous underwater vehicle Autosub3 under the ice (credit: Pierre Dutrieux, Feb. 2009).

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through its extensive logistic capability and know-how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. For more information visit www.bas.ac.uk

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is Columbia University’s home for Earth science research. Its scientists develop fundamental knowledge about the origin, evolution and future of the natural world, from the planet’s deepest interior to the outer reaches of its atmosphere, on every continent and in every ocean, providing a rational basis for the difficult choices facing humanity. www.ldeo.columbia.edu | @LamontEarth

The University of Washington was founded in 1861 and is one of the pre-eminent public higher education and research institutions in the world. The UW has more than 100 members of the U.S. National Academies, elite programs in many fields, and annual standing since 1974 among the nation’s top five universities in receipt of federal research funding. Learn more at www.uw.edu

Edmiston, the world leading yacht company, has taken over the title sponsorship of The London Heliport. Coinciding with the heliport’s 60^th Anniversary this summer, Edmiston has undertaken a major re-styling of both the interior and exterior terminal, including a complete repaint of the landing, take-off and apron areas.  Effective 1st August, the Heliport will be known as The Edmiston London Heliport.   

Edmiston Chief Executive, Jamie Edmiston commented; “We have made a long-term commitment to this key London gateway.  For us, this is more than a branding exercise. Our aim is to bring the rigorous focus, attention to detail and teamwork that you would find on board a large yacht – to the operation of the heliport.  Working in close partnership with the management and owners of London Heliport, our objective is to deliver the best possible experience for clients using the Heliport.”

“With this collaboration with Edmiston we are entering an exciting new era,” said London Heliport General Manager Simon Hutchins. “Edmiston is a prestigious luxury brand to align with and Jamie Edmiston has overseen a significant investment that has revitalised the whole look of the heliport.”

The London Heliport continues to thrive as the capital’s only licensed heliport serving business and private movements, police and medevac missions.  It is home to The London Helicopter sight-seeing business and a number of helicopter charter tech companies. For the first six months of 2019 business and private movements totaled 4,401.  This represents a 39% growth since 2012 when the Reuben Brothers acquired the heliport in February that year.   Interlining with business jet activity continues to account for nearly 25% of movements with commercial operators departing London Biggin Hill, Luton, London Oxford, Farnborough and Stansted Airports.
Follow news and developments at Edmiston London Heliport on Twitter @LondonHeliport; on Instagram @TheLondonHeliport and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thelondonheliport/

ABOUT THE LONDON HELIPORT

The London Heliport in Battersea, just south of Chelsea Harbour, is the only CAA approved heliport in the Capital with approval to handle 12,000 take-offs and landings per year.  It has been in operation since 1959, providing essential services to the business community and emergency services, such as the Air Ambulance (HEMS) and Police Air Support units.   Located on the River Thames between the Battersea and Wandsworth bridges, the heliport caters for both business and leisure customers requiring fast access in and out of the City. 

The London Heliport has been wholly owned by the Reuben Brothers since its acquisition at the end of February 2012.  Reuben Brothers’ investment activities include private equity, real estate, and debt financing. Businesses include London Oxford Airport,  data centres, race courses, shipping, public houses, hotels, technology and media.

The London Heliport runs its own helicopter charter brokerage charter@londonheliport.co.uk  enabling the heliport to offer a swift and reliable response to charter enquiries.  London Helicopter’s popular seat-only sightseeing flights offer a separate entrance to board and welcome passengers so that VIP customers’ needs for discretion and quick turnarounds remain uncompromised.

ABOUT EDMISTON YACHTS 

With offices in London, Monaco, New York and Mexico City, as well as representation in a number of key global cities, Edmiston is one of the world’s leading large yacht companies. With expertise across all disciplines – sale and purchase, charter, yacht management and new construction – the company works with some of the highest profile and recognisable yachts in the world.    

• Announces new collaboration with Voa São Paulo and expands carbon offsetting program to two airports in the consortium
• 1,000 tons of carbon emissions were offset in 2018-2019 through Air BP’s carbon offsetting programme with Avantto
• Air BP’s airfield automation digital technology for misfuelling prevention to be launched in Brazil

Air BP, the international aviation fuel products and services supplier, will highlight the expansion of its pioneering carbon offset program for business aviation in Brazil during the largest business aviation conference and exhibition in Latin America, LABACE from August 13 to 15.

The program will be extended to two of Voa São Paulo’s airports, a Brazilian private airport administration consortium, which are now part of Air BP’s supply network. Jundiaí and Amarais airports are the first to join the program and there is the potential to expand the offer to more of Voa São Paulo’s locations in the future.

“We are very proud of this new collaboration with Voa São Paulo. Our carbon offset program, which complements our existing focus on customer service and safety in operations, is a significant step towards making Brazilian business aviation more sustainable,” said Ricardo Paganini, general manager, Air BP South America.

Air BP launched its carbon offsetting offer for business aviation in Brazil in 2018. Its first customer, business aircraft management company Avantto, offset more than 1,000 tons of carbon emissions from June 2018 to May 2019 – the equivalent of 1,588 trips from São Paulo (SP / HBR) to Angra dos Reis (RJ) or the carbon that could be captured by almost 73,000 adult trees*. The agreement with Avantto has been renewed for another year, enabling customers to offset the emissions related to the fuel supplied to the company by Air BP.

This builds on initiatives by Air BP in other regions, such as their collaboration with leading on-demand jet charter marketplace Victor in a carbon-offset programme for private flying in Europe, as well as the ability for operators and pilots who use the RocketRoute MarketPlace app to offset the carbon associated with their fuel purchases.

The Air BP carbon offset programme is run via BP Target Neutral. Projects within the BP Target Neutral portfolio have been assessed on the basis of their contribution to reducing carbon emissions and their potential to support the UN’s sustainable development goals. They have been selected for their suitability in improving livelihoods for the communities they are located in, or through various educational, economic and social benefits.

A new project in the North of Brazil recently became part of the BP Target Neutral portfolio.  Kamiranga is a ceramic factory producing bricks located in the Municipality of São Miguel do Guamá (PA). In the past, the factory used native Amazon firewood as fuel to produce its ceramic pieces. In 2007, the factory switched to fuelling its kilns using exclusively renewable fuels, such as açaí seeds and sawdust. The switch to renewable fuels created significant reductions in atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and enabled Kamiranga to participate in the international carbon market.

Since the first credits were issued, the project has reduced carbon emissions by more than 350,000 tons. Income generated from the sale of carbon credits is re-invested in the modernising of the factory, benefitting workers and the local community. Air BP’s carbon offset program for business aviation is part of BP’s commitment to achieving a lower carbon future, addressing the dual challenge of meeting the increasing energy the world demands, while at the same time working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It complements Air BP’s own carbon neutral plane fuelling operations at 250 locations around the world.

Airfield automation

Air BP is also pleased to announce at LABACE the launch of its airfield automation technology in Brazil. This new platform is designed to enhance safety, reliability and compliance in airport fuelling operations. A digital platform for operators and airports, airfield automation is an integrated, real-time, global solution that strengthens safety barriers and mitigates risks during the fuelling process.

Aside from the enhanced safety barriers, aircraft operators will also benefit from faster, more comprehensive and more accurate fuelling and delivery data. The cloud-based technology will enable Air BP to offer increasingly integrated information to customers, such as delivery records and precise delivery timings.

BP will be at Stand 3003 at LABACE.

*One adult tree captures an average of 15.6kg of CO2 per year.

About Air BP

As the aviation division of BP, Air BP is one of the world’s leading suppliers of aviation fuel products and services. It has been investing in the aviation industry for more than 90 years to keep people flying safely around the world. It supplies around 6.6 billion gallons of aviation fuel a year; fuelling over 6,000 flights a day at over 800 locations in more than 55 countries – that’s more than four planes a minute. Its customers include commercial airlines, the military, business and private aircraft owners, airports and airfield operators, general aviation refuelling and innovative digital platforms to increase efficiency and reduce risk.

Present in Brazil since 2002, Air BP currently operates in airports in the main cities of the country, including Guarulhos, Viracopos, Galeão, Brasília and Recife, providing fuel supply services for general aviation, commercial aviation and military operations. 

For more information, go to www.airbp.com

About BP Target Neutral

BP Target Neutral develops carbon neutral products and services for BP’s customers and partners. BP Target Neutral’s operating costs are met by BP. It does not seek to make a profit from the purchase and sale of carbon credits – and its work is overseen by an independent Advisory & Assurance Panel of prominent environmental and industry experts. The Panel reviews BP Target Neutral’s performance against its stated aims in line with accepted standards for environmental and social rigour and makes recommendations on how it can be improved and strengthened.

For more information please visit www.bptargetneutral.com  

For further media enquiries:

Emerald Media: +44 1420 560094 / liz.danner@emeraldmedia.co.uk

Signature Flight Support has commenced operations in the newly opened Business & General Aviation Terminal at the Milan-Malpensa Airport (MXP). Signature’s crew and passenger lounge is housed within a freshly constructed 1,400 sq. m. facility, the first purpose-built structure for business aviation at the airport.

The new Business & General Aviation Terminal aims to significantly enhance the experience offered to VIP travelers by providing exclusive infrastructure to accommodate private aircraft, including a contemporary terminal styled by a leading Italian design firm, dedicated ramp space, and additional car parking. The facility is the culmination of an 18 month construction effort to create a permanent home for business aircraft at Malpensa, the primary commercial service airport for Milan.

“The expansion of Signature’s presence at the Milan-Malpensa Airport is part of our strategy to provide comprehensive flight support solutions to business aircraft operators in Italy” shared John-Angus Smith, Managing Director EMEA. “The new Business & General Aviation Terminal at Malpensa comprehensively upgrades the experience of private aviation crews and passengers visiting the airport, and serves as an elegant gateway to Milan and the rest of Northern Italy.”

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Signature Flight Support, including Signature TECHNICAir^TM and EPIC Fuels, provides premium, full service flight and home base support including refueling, ground handling and MRO services through the world’s largest fixed base operation (FBO) network for B&GA users with around 200 locations covering key destinations in North America, Europe, South America, Caribbean, Africa and Asia. EPIC Fuels is a provider of aviation fuels, supplies and services. For more information, please visit: www.signatureflight.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/signatureflightsupport.  Follow Signature Flight Support on Twitter: SignatureFBO

CONTACT:

Signature Flight Support

Matt Carroll, Sr. Vice President Marketing +1 407 206 5212

Matthew.Carroll@signatureflight.com

Signature Flight Support, the world’s largest network of Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), has announced a major expansion of its European business aviation support services in Italy with the addition of 6 airports to its current in-country presence, which now totals 9 aircraft handling stations.

Signature’s expansion follows several months of preparation, including the establishment of qualified local partnerships and an exhaustive vetting process conducted by Italian aviation authorities. Existing locations at Milan-Linate (LIN), Milan-Malpensa (MXP), and Rome-Ciampino (CIA) are augmented by the addition of key airports at Bergamo (BGY), Catania (CTA), Florence (FLR), Naples (NAP), Palermo (PMO), and Pisa (PSA). Operating permits, slot acquisition, and PPR approvals are added to the portfolio of handling services coordinated from Signature’s 24/7 Italian operations center at Milan-Linate airport.

The resultant ENAC certification at Bergamo’s Orio al Serio Int’l Airport, complimented by the inauguration of a new General Aviation Terminal at Milan’s Malpensa Airport, allow for the continuation of business aviation arrivals to Northern Italy during Milan-Linate’s three month closure for runway construction.

“Signature has identified Italy as a key strategic market for business aircraft operations in Europe,” explained John-Angus Smith, Managing Director EMEA. “By adapting our business model to conform to local conditions, including our joint venture with SEA Prime and our latest handler arrangements at several Italian airports, we have developed a comprehensive support network for business aircraft operators visiting major airports throughout the country.”

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Signature Flight Support, including Signature TECHNICAir^TM and EPIC Fuels, provides premium, full service flight and home base support including refueling, ground handling and MRO services through the world’s largest fixed base operation (FBO) network for B&GA users with around 200 locations covering key destinations in North America, Europe, South America, Caribbean, Africa and Asia. EPIC Fuels is a provider of aviation fuels, supplies and services. For more information, please visit: www.signatureflight.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/signatureflightsupport.  Follow Signature Flight Support on Twitter: SignatureFBO

Please use email address below to book services:-

Italy@Signatureflight.it

CONTACT:

Signature Flight Support

Matt Carroll, Sr. Vice President Marketing +1 407 206 5212

Matthew.Carroll@signatureflight.com If you would rather not receive future communications from