Protecting the Antarctic environment
Researchers from the University of Leeds contributed to a House of Commons committee report about the Antarctic environment, which includes recommendations to the government.
The report outlines issues including climate change, commercial fishing, tourism, and international relations that impact the Antarctic region.
It makes strategic recommendations to the UK Government to uphold the Antarctic Treaty and to protect the Antarctic environment – which is essential for climate regulation, unique ecosystems, and scientific research.
Professor Anna Hogg and Dr Benjamin Wallis, representing the Satellite Ice Dynamics research group in the School of Earth and Environment, submitted written evidence to support the committee’s report.
They explained the most significant climate changes happening in the Antarctic and how these might affect the UK – including ice loss, ocean warming, and ice shelf instability.
Calls for investment and collaboration
The evidence discusses the UK’s strong research history and capacity in Antarctica. It calls for more investment in future projects and a focus on international collaboration.
Professor Hogg said: “Antarctic science is often extremely logistically challenging, including fieldwork campaigns, satellite missions and oceanographic cruises. These complexities make international collaboration even more important, where Antarctic infrastructure and support is used between researchers on multi-national projects.
“The UK’s scientific contributions in Antarctica would be greatly reduced if the UK were not able to call on support from international partners in this way.”
Rothera Research Station (British Antarctic Survey base). Taken by Professor Anna Hogg
The evidence also highlights the need for support for the next generation of climate scientists.
Dr Wallis said: "As an early career scientist, it was fantastic to have an opportunity to contribute to this report. Changes to the Antarctic Ice Sheet, the surrounding ocean and its ecosystems have global consequences. For example, here in the UK, projections of future sea levels caused by shrinking ice sheets are important for planning and policy decisions that affect coastal communities.
“This report outlines how it is essential that there is continued support for UK Antarctic Science and that we strengthen the international collaborations that have delivered so much high-impact science."
Reinterpreting the Antarctic Treaty
The Antarctic Treaty means that the UK and other countries must ensure the region is used collaboratively and for peaceful purposes.
Professor Hogg and Dr Wallis recommend that the UK maintain its support for the treaty, as it’s one of the best examples of international collaboration to protect the Earth’s environment.
However, they highlight that, as human activities elsewhere on Earth are negatively impacting the Antarctic, the Treaty could be expanded to further protect the region.
“It would be timely to discuss whether our Antarctic treaty obligations that govern environmental preservation should be interpreted to include not only activities that take place in Antarctica, but also our activities globally that scientific evidence now shows are contributing to the degradation of the Antarctic environment,” said Professor Hogg.
The government has two months to respond to the report.
More information
- Header image by Professor Anna Hogg
- Read ‘The UK and the Antarctic environment’ report
- More Antarctic news from the Faculty of Environment.
