Latest news with #AntarcticTreaty
The Spinoff
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Spinoff
Why New Zealand must invest in the next generation of Antarctic researchers
With political interests threatening to undermine conservation actions in Antarctica, it's more important than ever that New Zealand maintains its influence in the sphere – and this is a critical way to help ensure it will. As climate change transforms Earth as we know it and geopolitics reshapes international relations, the governance regime that maintains peace in Antarctica is growing increasingly complex and consequential for New Zealand. The 1959 Antarctic Treaty sets aside more than 10% of Earth's surface for peace, science and cooperation. New Zealand is an original signatory and has played an influential role in Antarctic science and politics over the past six decades. Scientific knowledge provides the foundation for many Antarctic Treaty decisions. High-quality research is therefore essential for maintaining influence in this international forum. But at recent Antarctic governance meetings, scientific arguments for much-needed conservation actions have been undermined by political interests. Preserving Aotearoa New Zealand's influential voice in Antarctic decision making depends not merely on doing excellent science. Developing researchers who can navigate boundaries between environmental science, international policy and public engagement is critical. We argue New Zealand risks losing its influence in Antarctic affairs if it does not adequately invest in the next generation of Antarctic researchers and prepare them to achieve real-world impact. A second chance for long-term impact In a pre-budget announcement in early May, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment confirmed a $49 million investment in the Antarctic Science Platform for a second seven-year period. The platform's overarching aim is to 'conduct excellent science to understand Antarctica's impact on the global Earth system and how this might change in a +2°C (Paris agreement) world'. We believe achieving this goal requires developing a comprehensive understanding not only of biophysical changes, but also of how geopolitical tensions will evolve, how governance structures will adapt, and how society will respond to a warmer world. Renewed government investment provides stability for the Antarctic research community. It is also an opportunity to transcend short-term thinking and build capacity for the future. However, achieving scientific ' excellence ' must not be constrained by traditional understandings of 'research impact'. Publishing in high-end journals (often behind paywalls) is not enough. Researchers, including the next generation, must be supported to work across science, policy and societal interfaces. Fostering the next generation Early-career researchers are key to supporting New Zealand's ongoing leadership within Antarctic governance. They bring diversity to the scientific community and can offer fresh approaches and enthusiasm to long-standing challenges. But in the context of intensifying Antarctic geopolitics, cuts to international budgets that threaten New Zealand's Antarctic programme and uncertainty about changes to the science sector, these researchers are often at the bottom of the priority list. Research shows that under global and national disruptions, early-career researchers are disproportionately affected. This challenge is further compounded by constrained university budgets. Fewer PhD scholarships and diminishing opportunities for postdoctoral and permanent positions significantly narrow the career pathway for Antarctic researchers. As recently completed PhD students, we have witnessed these funding cuts and institutional changes. We are concerned the opportunities that enabled our own development are rapidly closing behind us, creating a gap in Antarctic research expertise that will be difficult to rebuild. To maintain scientific continuity and secure Antarctica's research future, supporting early-career researchers should be a priority. Investing today ensures the uninterrupted development of scientific leadership and institutional knowledge that is as important as the science itself. The Antarctic Science Platform offers an excellent opportunity to foster a trans-generational pipeline. But is New Zealand going far enough in its efforts to upskill and support the next generation? An early-career vision for Antarctic research A group of early-career researchers met recently to discuss their concerns and ideas regarding the future of Antarctic research and its impact. The group identified that beyond scientific training, we need more innovative pathways to make an impact, including policy secondments, media training, mentoring and trans-disciplinary collaborations. This would give early-career researchers opportunities to communicate with and understand non-scientific audiences. Antarctic science funding in New Zealand is also currently biased towards biophysical disciplines. Yet knowledge of policy, geopolitics, stakeholder engagement and communication will be necessary to understand Antarctica's future in a +2°C world. The disbanding of social sciences in the Marsden Fund further exacerbates this imbalance. It is essential to cultivate a collaborative, cross-disciplinary mentality where diverse expertise converges around complex problems. Currently missing are environments where small interdisciplinary cohorts of early-career researchers are guided by experienced colleagues to collaborate with policymakers or the general public. Such communities could address pressing challenges through integrated approaches that no single discipline can achieve alone. A flexible micro-funding programme could empower Antarctic early-career researchers to pursue professional development opportunities. Rather than restrictive funding to predetermined categories, this approach could support any proposal demonstrating a connection to New Zealand's strategic Antarctic priorities – whether for scientific advancement, policy training or participation in Antarctic governance forums. Our vision of scientific 'excellence' involves engaging more critically with how we prepare New Zealand for future challenges and strengthen Antarctic leadership. With a concerning exodus of young professionals (in research and across other sectors) overseas, New Zealand risks losing essential knowledge and expertise. Antarctica's future – including New Zealand's role in it – depends on carving out enduring and innovative pathways for the next wave of great minds. The authors of this piece have all previously carried out research funded by the Antarctic Science Platform, but are writing in their personal capacity. The article builds on discussions at a recent Antarctic early-career researchers' workshop, but reflects the concerns and ideas of a wider group, including Julianne Burns, Lizzy Skelton, Rose Foster-Dyer, Matthew Tankersley, Rafa Santana, Pauline Barras, Martin Forbes, Alexandra Strang, Liv Cornelissen and Angela Garzia.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Antarctic treaty under stress as member countries gather in Italy
For 65 years, an international treaty forged at the height of the Cold War has governed Antarctica. But with rising geopolitical tensions, consensus is increasingly hard to find. "Up until just a few years ago, we talked about the Antarctic Treaty as a framework for peace and stability in the Antarctic region, and the Arctic as a place of relative stability," said David Hik, chief scientist at Polar Knowledge Canada, an agency focused on strengthening polar science and technology in Canada. "Now, both of those assumptions are being challenged." Fifty-eight countries, including Canada, are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, which preserves the continent for scientific exploration and peace, and bans military and mining activity. But only half the signatories can vote on treaty business. Canada wants to secure voting rights as a so-called consultative party, and will make its case again at the Antarctic Treaty meeting in Milan, Italy, later this month. But there have been barriers to this. "Canada's claim to be a consultative party has been blocked, first and foremost, by Russia," said Klaus Dodds, a political biographer and Antarctic expert at Royal Holloway, University of London. "And the reason is, Russia wants its ally Belarus to be made a consultative party alongside Canada." WATCH | Who owns Antarctica? It's preserved for peace and science, for now: In March, a first-ever all-Canadian expedition sailed to Antarctica on HMCS Margaret Brooke, with 15 polar scientists hosted by the Canadian Navy. The Canadian Antarctic Research Expedition (CARE) 2025 mission conducted weeks of research and visited multiple countries' research stations on the continent, in part to raise Canada's profile at the southern pole. CBC News got exclusive access to the expedition. To capture the voyage CBC's international climate correspondent Susan Ormiston, producer Jill English and videographer Sam Martin spent a month aboard the Margaret Brooke broadcasting live via satellite, sending news of the voyage back to Canada. WATCH | How CBC's international climate team reported from a Navy ship in Antarctica: The polar regions are changing faster than other parts of the world, due to climate change. Antarctica's ancient glaciers are receding and sea ice reached near-record lows this year, both of which contribute to rising global sea levels. "The Antarctic ice sheet contains enormous amounts of fresh water, and as the ice sheet thins and melts in places, calves at faster rates, that's going to affect global sea level change," said Thomas James, chief scientist on the CARE 2025 mission. "What happens in Antarctica doesn't stay in Antarctica," he added. The southern ocean is a huge carbon sink and helps regulate the global climate. But warming ocean waters may disrupt those patterns, said Brent Else, co-scientific director at MEOPAR, which supports ocean research and training at Canadian universities. "As oceans warm as circulation patterns change, it's expected that ocean carbon sink will slow down over time. And the polar regions are the areas where those carbon sinks are most important," he said aboard HMCS Margaret Brooke. WATCH | Antarctic treasure — searching for climate clues in the Southern Ocean: Canada is a polar nation and, with rising concerns over sovereignty in the Arctic, the government is boosting military presence in the north. "Canada is, and forever will be, an Arctic nation, and we can never take our sovereignty and security in the region for granted," Prime Minister Mark Carney said on a visit to Iqaluit in March. A year ago, the Royal Canadian Navy began to plan a deployment to Antarctica to support scientific exploration and enhance its knowledge of geopolitical pressures at the southern pole. "We can see climate change in the North, we can see what China and Russia have been doing in and around the Canadian North, [and thinking] I wonder what's going on in the South Pole, and [can we] get the perspective and experience of the South American navies that are down here all the time," Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee told CBC News in an exclusive interview. The idea, he said, was to "do some science, and see if we can figure out things that can help us better protect and defend our own North." Topshee believes there are security concerns in Antarctica that threaten its stability. "I am concerned that the whole agreement that we would not [militarize and mine Antarctica] … would, could change. And I don't think that's in our interest to allow that to change easily." WATCH | Do polar security concerns extend to Antarctica? The Canadian Navy says yes: To voyage across the Antarctic Circle, HMCS Margaret Brooke sailed into some extreme weather and ice-clogged channels. As an Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), it is designed to break through new ice up to a metre thick. But with rapidly changing weather patterns, the ice moves and shifts, so that an open channel one day can be clogged with ice the next. An ice specialist from the Canadian Coast Guard, Donavan Tremblay, and an officer with the Chilean Navy, Javier Idiaquez, travelled with the Margaret Brooke crew to help chart a safe path. Even so, there were unexpected blockages, and navigating at night presented even more challenges. En route to Rothera Point beyond the Antarctic Circle, as the weather deteriorated and the ice encroached, Cmdr. Teri Share had to make a decision about whether to proceed. "It was a heightened level, absolutely," Share told CBC News from the captain's quarters on the Margaret Brooke. "We can take all the precautions that we can take. We can use all of the information that is provided to us. But still, there comes a point that it's on me as the commanding officer to say yes or no." In the end, Share made the call to push further south, with the crew threading the vessel through icebergs and sheet ice to reach Rothera Point, the ship's final destination, and the most southerly point the Canadian Navy had ever travelled. "It feels like just yesterday you and I were on the bridge, and you were asking me what [is the Navy] going to be doing down there, and what was I excited about," Share told the CBC's Susan Ormiston. "It's gone by really quickly," Share said, reflecting on the historic mission. WATCH | Blocked by ice in Antarctica, how the Royal Canadian Navy broke through: Watch full episodes of The National on CBC Gem, the CBC's streaming service.
CBC
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Antarctic treaty under stress as member countries gather in Italy
Social Sharing For 65 years, an international treaty forged at the height of the Cold War has governed Antarctica. But with rising geopolitical tensions, consensus is increasingly hard to find. "Up until just a few years ago, we talked about the Antarctic Treaty as a framework for peace and stability in the Antarctic region, and the Arctic as a place of relative stability," said David Hik, chief scientist at Polar Knowledge Canada, an agency focused on strengthening polar science and technology in Canada. "Now, both of those assumptions are being challenged." Fifty-eight countries, including Canada, are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, which preserves the continent for scientific exploration and peace, and bans military and mining activity. But only half the signatories can vote on treaty business. Canada wants to secure voting rights as a so-called consultative party, and will make its case again at the Antarctic Treaty meeting in Milan, Italy, later this month. But there have been barriers to this. "Canada's claim to be a consultative party has been blocked, first and foremost, by Russia," said Klaus Dodds, a political biographer and Antarctic expert at Royal Holloway, University of London. "And the reason is, Russia wants its ally Belarus to be made a consultative party alongside Canada." WATCH | Who owns Antarctica? It's preserved for peace and science, for now: Who owns Antarctica? It's preserved for peace and science - for now 1 day ago Duration 12:53 International Climate Correspondent Susan Ormiston embarked on the first all-Canadian voyage to Antarctica with 15 climate scientists and the crew of HMCS Margaret Brooke. She dives into the geopolitical tensions at the remote Southern Pole, explaining what's happening in the region and what's at stake. In March, a first-ever all-Canadian expedition sailed to Antarctica on HMCS Margaret Brooke, with 15 polar scientists hosted by the Canadian Navy. The Canadian Antarctic Research Expedition (CARE) 2025 mission conducted weeks of research and visited multiple countries' research stations on the continent, in part to raise Canada's profile at the southern pole. CBC News got exclusive access to the expedition. To capture the voyage CBC's international climate correspondent Susan Ormiston, producer Jill English and videographer Sam Martin spent a month aboard the Margaret Brooke broadcasting live via satellite, sending news of the voyage back to Canada. WATCH | How CBC's international climate team reported from a Navy ship in Antarctica: Behind the scenes of the historic all-Canadian expedition to Antarctica 1 day ago Duration 3:01 Take a peek at the challenges, rewards and favourite moments from HMCS Margaret Brooke's expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, and see how CBC's international climate team reported from a Navy ship in Antarctica. Hunting for climate change clues in Antarctica The polar regions are changing faster than other parts of the world, due to climate change. Antarctica's ancient glaciers are receding and sea ice reached near-record lows this year, both of which contribute to rising global sea levels. "The Antarctic ice sheet contains enormous amounts of fresh water, and as the ice sheet thins and melts in places, calves at faster rates, that's going to affect global sea level change," said Thomas James, chief scientist on the CARE 2025 mission. "What happens in Antarctica doesn't stay in Antarctica," he added. The southern ocean is a huge carbon sink and helps regulate the global climate. But warming ocean waters may disrupt those patterns, said Brent Else, co-scientific director at MEOPAR, which supports ocean research and training at Canadian universities. "As oceans warm as circulation patterns change, it's expected that ocean carbon sink will slow down over time. And the polar regions are the areas where those carbon sinks are most important," he said aboard HMCS Margaret Brooke. WATCH | Antarctic treasure — searching for climate clues in the Southern Ocean: Antarctic treasure - searching for climate clues in the Southern Ocean 1 day ago Duration 14:41 Canada monitoring security concerns in polar regions Canada is a polar nation and, with rising concerns over sovereignty in the Arctic, the government is boosting military presence in the north. "Canada is, and forever will be, an Arctic nation, and we can never take our sovereignty and security in the region for granted," Prime Minister Mark Carney said on a visit to Iqaluit in March. A year ago, the Royal Canadian Navy began to plan a deployment to Antarctica to support scientific exploration and enhance its knowledge of geopolitical pressures at the southern pole. "We can see climate change in the North, we can see what China and Russia have been doing in and around the Canadian North, [and thinking] I wonder what's going on in the South Pole, and [can we] get the perspective and experience of the South American navies that are down here all the time," Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee told CBC News in an exclusive interview. The idea, he said, was to "do some science, and see if we can figure out things that can help us better protect and defend our own North." Topshee believes there are security concerns in Antarctica that threaten its stability. " I am concerned that the whole agreement that we would not [militarize and mine Antarctica] … would, could change. And I don't think that's in our interest to allow that to change easily." WATCH | Do polar security concerns extend to Antarctica? The Canadian Navy says yes: Do polar security concerns extend to Antarctica? The Canadian Navy says yes 1 day ago Duration 7:02 'Nighttime is always about what you can't see' To voyage across the Antarctic Circle, HMCS Margaret Brooke sailed into some extreme weather and ice-clogged channels. As an Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), it is designed to break through new ice up to a metre thick. But with rapidly changing weather patterns, the ice moves and shifts, so that an open channel one day can be clogged with ice the next. An ice specialist from the Canadian Coast Guard, Donavan Tremblay, and an officer with the Chilean Navy, Javier Idiaquez, travelled with the Margaret Brooke crew to help chart a safe path. Even so, there were unexpected blockages, and navigating at night presented even more challenges. En route to Rothera Point beyond the Antarctic Circle, as the weather deteriorated and the ice encroached, Cmdr. Teri Share had to make a decision about whether to proceed. "It was a heightened level, absolutely," Share told CBC News from the captain's quarters on the Margaret Brooke. "We can take all the precautions that we can take. We can use all of the information that is provided to us. But still, there comes a point that it's on me as the commanding officer to say yes or no." In the end, Share made the call to push further south, with the crew threading the vessel through icebergs and sheet ice to reach Rothera Point, the ship's final destination, and the most southerly point the Canadian Navy had ever travelled. "It feels like just yesterday you and I were on the bridge, and you were asking me what [is the Navy] going to be doing down there, and what was I excited about," Share told the CBC's Susan Ormiston. "It's gone by really quickly," Share said, reflecting on the historic mission.
Japan Forward
21-05-2025
- Science
- Japan Forward
Women in Antarctica: Breaking Barriers in Japanese Polar Exploration
このページを 日本語 で読む The wintering team of the 65th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition returned to Japan this spring. Among them was Manami Yamaoka, 31, a staff member in the Human Resources Division at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) in Ikoma, Nara Prefecture. Yamaoka spent one year and three months at Showa Station in Antarctica — an experience she describes as a continuous learning journey. As the number of women participating in polar expeditions grows, her role reflects a broader shift toward greater gender inclusion in this demanding field. She first laid eyes on the Antarctic continent in November 2023, just a month after departing Japan, more than 14,000 kilometers away. As one of 27 members of the wintering team, Yamaoka was in charge of general affairs, logistics, and supply transportation. She returned to Japan in February 2024. Manami Yamaoka joined the 65th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. (©Sankei by Eriko Ogawa) Life at Showa Station required self-sufficiency. Team members handled everything themselves, from cooking and hauling supplies to managing waste. "It felt like a small village just for us," Yamaoka recalled. "In Japan, there's always someone else to do these things, but not there." Despite the challenges of communal living in such an extreme environment, Yamaoka came to value the importance of clear communication and teamwork. Reflecting on her time in Antarctica, she shared a renewed sense of purpose: "I want to keep working in a way that lets me contribute to the organization in a meaningful role." Aurora observed over Amundsen Bay in Antarctica. Antarctica, a vast continent 36 times the size of Japan, isn't owned by any country. The 1959 Antarctic Treaty, signed by Japan and 11 other nations, banned military activity and set the foundation for international scientific cooperation. Today, 58 countries have signed the treaty, regularly sending research teams for scientific study. Japan began its Antarctic expeditions in 1956, carrying out ongoing research on auroras, oceans, ice, and other natural phenomena. According to the National Institute of Polar Research, the first woman joined an expedition in 1962. Since 2002, between one and 19 women have participated each year, contributing not only to research but also in roles such as doctors and meal preparation and public relations personnel. The role of women in these missions continues to expand. In December 2024, the 66th expedition departed with Professor Naomi Harada of the University of Tokyo appointed as the first female leader of a Japanese Antarctic research team. Of the 114 members, including support staff, 25 were women, the highest proportion to date at roughly 20%. "In the past, the idea of sending women wasn't even considered. There were no women's toilets or facilities," recalled a male member of the National Institute of Polar Research, who had participated in an earlier expedition. "But today, with more women in STEM fields, joining an expedition is just one of many options for women in science." While the summer team stays for about three months, the wintering team remains in Antarctica for a full year. To support women facing the challenges of this remote environment, the National Institute of Polar Research began holding pre-departure meetings for female members around six years ago. The next session is scheduled for June. Once in Antarctica, women can also consult with doctors in Japan through online medical services. Looking ahead, the 67th expedition, scheduled for dispatch this winter, will mark another first. Associate Professor Mitsumu Ejiri from the National Institute of Polar Research will become the first female leader of a wintering team. A staff member expressed optimism about the future: "If you have the motivation and interest, gender is no longer a barrier. I hope more women will take on the challenge and share their experiences with the next generation." This report was first published on J apan 2 Earth , a JAPAN Forward website featuring Japan's initiatives on the SDGs. Author: Eriko Ogawa, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Asia Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Asia Times
Trump defunding US out of Antarctica's great game
President Donald Trump has begun eroding the United States' presence in Antarctica by announcing deep funding cuts to his nation's science and logistics on the icy continent. The Trump administration has significantly reduced funding for both Antarctica's largest research and logistics station, McMurdo, and the National Science Foundation, which funds US research in Antarctica. More cuts are foreshadowed. If carried through, US science and overall presence in Antarctica will be seriously diminished, at a time when China is significantly expanding its presence there. Since 1958, the US has been a leader in both Antarctic diplomacy and science. Shrinking its Antarctic presence will diminish US capacity to influence the region's future. The US has historically focused its Antarctic influence in three key areas: 1. Keeping Antarctica free from military conflict The US has built considerable Antarctic geopolitical influence since the late 1950s. Under President Dwight D Eisenhower, it initiated (and later hosted) negotiations that led to the development of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. It was also key to establishing the fundamental principles of the treaty, such as using the Antarctic region only for peaceful purposes, and prohibiting military activities and nuclear weapons testing. 2. Governing Antarctica together The US was influential in developing the international legal system that governs human activities in the Antarctic region. In the 1970s, expanding unregulated fishing in the Southern Ocean led to serious concerns about the effects on krill-eating species – especially the recovery of severely depleted whale populations. The US joined other Antarctic Treaty nations to champion the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CAMLR), signed in 1980. It prioritises conservation of Southern Ocean ecosystems and all species, over maximum fish harvesting. The US also contributed to the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection. Among other measures it prohibits mining and designates Antarctica as 'a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science.' The US has been vital to Antarctic governance. Pictured: US Secretary of State John Kerry, right, at Scott Base in Antarctica in 2016. Photo: Mark Ralston / AP 3. Scientific research and collaboration The US operates three year‑round Antarctic research stations: Palmer, Amundsen-Scott and McMurdo. McMurdo is Antarctica's largest research station. Amundsen-Scott is located at the South Pole, the geographic centre of Antarctica, and the point at which all Antarctic territorial claims meet. The South Pole station is thus important symbolically and strategically, as well as for science. The US has the largest number of Antarctic scientists of any nation on the continent. US scientific work has been at the forefront of understanding Antarctica's role in the global climate system and how climate change will shape the future of the planet. It has also played a major role in Southern Ocean ecosystem and fisheries research. This research has underpinned important policies. For example, US input into models to predict and manage sustainable krill yields has been pivotal in regulating the krill fishery, and ensuring it doesn't harm penguin, seal and whale populations. The US has also been a staunch supporter of a comprehensive network of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean. The Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area, proposed by the US and New Zealand, is the largest in the world. The US influence in Antarctica extends beyond the list above. For example, the US has a significant Antarctic-based space program. And US citizens make up most Antarctic tourists, and the US plays a significant role in regulating tourism there. The full extent of the Trump administration's cuts is yet to play out. But clearly, if they proceed as signalled, the cuts will be a major blow not just to US interests in Antarctica, but those of many other countries. The US has the best-resourced logistics network in Antarctica. Its air transport, shipping and scientific field support has traditionally been shared by other countries. New Zealand, for instance, is closely tied with the US in resupply of food and fuel, and uses US air and sea logistics for many operations to the Ross Sea region. And joint research programs with the US will be affected by reduced funding in Antarctica directly, and elsewhere. For example, reported cuts to the climate programs of NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) may hamper satellite coverage of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean. This would affect Australian scientists collecting data on ocean temperature, sea-ice state and other metrics used in climate research and weather forecasting. China has signalled its intention to be a key geopolitical player in Antarctica and has greatly expanded its Antarctic presence in recent years. China has five Antarctic research stations. Its sixth summer station is due for completion in 2027. China also operates two icebreaker ships, helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft in Antarctica and is building new, large krill trawlers. Both China and Russia are increasingly active in their opposition to environmental initiatives such as marine protected areas. A smaller US presence creates greater opportunities for others to shape Antarctica's geopolitics. This includes pressure to erode decades-long protection of the Antarctic environment, a push for more intensive fish and krill harvesting, and potentially reopening debate on mining in the region. Lynda Goldsworthy and Tony Press co-authored the chapter Power at the Bottom of the World in the new book Antarctica and the Earth System. Lynda Goldsworthy is research associate, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania and Tony Press is adjunct professor, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
