In the summer of 2012, a group of 22 leading biologists, ecologists and geologists published in the journal Nature" sensational research -- in less than 50 years on Earth happens irreversible environmental collapse. But, maybe, not so obvious, it seems to some scholars? Ironically, the answers to these questions can be found in the recent past, when it was first expedition to Antarctica, where was born the new science of ice or snow -- glaciology. One of those who studied Antarctica, opened it to the world, conducted extensive research was academician, honorary President of the Russian Geographical society Vladimir M. Kotlyakov.