An American scientist claims that winter air temperatures over Antarctica have risen by more than 20C in the last 30 years, a new study shows.

Research published in the snappily titled US journal 'Science' says the warming is seen across the whole of the continent and much of the Southern Ocean.

The study was prompted by the experience of an as yet unnamed scientist who claims to have stumbled across a beach 'with sand and everything' on part of the nothern tip of the continent.

Computer simulation

The claim has yet to be verified by other scientists or NASA satellites, but colleagues say the scientist in question is of sound mind and 'knows what he saw.'

His identity is being kept secret however for fear that his claims may produce panic amongst the general populace, or worst still that he'll be bumped off by members of President Bush's energy team who don't want to admit global warming exists.

However, Bush may have to accept this sooner rather than later.

A young 18 year old who looks not unlike Leonardo De Caprio claims to have stumbled upon just such a beach when a boat he'd chartered got lost en route to Thailand.

Fisherman have reporting seeing lots of sunburnt penguins in the Falkland Island region and Whales have been seen sporting strange beachwear.

Scientists from the British Antarctic Long Life Survey (BALLS) however say the cause of the warming is not clear, and deny the veracity of such claims putting it down to wild speculation and too much beer.

'I wouldn't book a beach holiday in Antarctica just yet,' guffawed Mr Damian's Science Correspondent 'but it could happen in our lifetime. Who knows?'

Who indeed?

Who ever said Science isn't sexy? They were clearly right.

Posted by damian at April 07, 2006 02:15 PM