the-BA : Science and Peace in Antarctica

Research in Antarctica:promoted under the Antarctic Treaty. Pete Bucktrout,BAS

Becky Allen previews this summer’s Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

Thousands of tourists visit the Antarctic each Austral summer, yet few will be aware that for nearly 50 years a unique international treaty has been in place to ensure Antarctica remains a continent devoted to peace and science.

The Antarctic Treaty

The Treaty itself was born out of post-war international scientific cooperation. The UK has been involved in Antarctic research for more than 200 years, but it was the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-58 – a multinational research programme of coordinated geophysical observations by 67 nations – which showed that it was possible to establish bases on Antarctica and engage in scientific cooperation without getting into conflict about the different, sometimes overlapping, claims of sovereignty over the continent.
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientists had been active in Antarctica during IGY, seven of which – Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom – had territorial claims over parts of the continent. The Treaty came into effect in June 1961, and the 45 nations who are now signatories gather annually at the ATCM.

Edinburgh 2006

Although the precise content of the ATCM is formed by working papers submitted by the countries present at the meeting, delegates are likely to be discussing and agreeing priorities for future work on environmental management, particularly in the context of climate change. Other issues will include the sustainable management of tourism, the International Polar Year1 and the underpinning legal framework of Antarctic governance.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) told S&PA: ‘Although it is many thousands of miles from the UK, Antarctica matters. Science in Antarctica can answer global questions – for example, ice cores in Antarctica can tell us about the history of the earth's climate over the past 800,000 years, which is vital for our present climate change modelling. The ATCM offers an opportunity for experts to discuss those global questions and ensure that Antarctica is managed in a way that enables its resources to be used most effectively in helping to answer them.’
For those interested in science and policy, the Antarctic is a fascinating example of what can be achieved by consensus, despite widely differing national agendas. According to Professor David Walton of British Antarctic Survey (BAS): ‘Over the past 40 years the Treaty Parties have grappled with resource management (both biological and geological), pollution, habitat and species damage, the value of historical heritage, the management of and access to scientific data, the development and control of tourism, conservation at the habitat and species levels and the contribution of Antarctic science to our global understanding, amongst many other topics.’

Antarctic science

The discovery by scientists from BAS of the hole in the ozone layer in 1985 – which led to a worldwide ban in the use of CFCs – is just one of many examples of the global importance of Antarctic science.

The continent also has a crucial role to play in understanding global climate change. Locked in its ice sheet is a record of past climate change extending back almost one million years. Bubbles trapped in the ice act as time capsules containing atmospheric gases from previous centuries, providing evidence of the earth’s natural rhythms, as well as past levels of pollution by industry, agriculture and even atom bombs.

The frozen wastes of Antarctica have always fired the public imagination. It is not only the coldest, windiest and most remote continent on earth, but also the highest and driest. Scott and Shackleton, Endurance and Discovery are names that occupy a special place in the British psyche. This year’s ATCM is – for the first time – being used as an opportunity to bring the Antarctic to the public. Discover Antarctica! – as the public programme is branded – will deliver a rich and varied series of events to the public of Edinburgh.

Discover Antarctica!

Organised by the FCO and BAS, Discover Antarctica! includes a series of three interlinked exhibitions showcasing Antarctic science, art and heritage plus four evening performances at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, the ATCM venue.

One exhibition, White Horizons – British art from Antarctica from 1775-2006, brings together 50 paintings in the first show of its kind to be held in the UK. The exhibition includes work by artists who accompanied the early Antarctic explorers, as well as those who go south today as part of the BAS artists’ and writers’ programme. Also on show will be The Antarctic photographs of Herbert Ponting – iconic images of Scott’s British Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1913.
Edinburgh International Conference Centre will also be the venue for four evening performances by scientists and film-makers, including Professor Lloyd Peck of BAS – who presented the 2004 Royal Institution Christmas lectures, Alastair Fothergill and Vanessa Berlowitz from the BBC Natural History Unit, who will take the audience behind the scenes of BBC wildlife filming in Antarctica, and Dr David Munro of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society who will be celebrating Scotland’s forgotten polar heroes.

BAS will be bringing its Royal Research Ship James Clark Ross to the waterfront at Ocean Terminal in Leith where it, and the Royal Navy’s ice patrol vessel HMS Endurance, will be open to the public during the weekend of 17-18 June, giving families a rare glimpse of the science that goes on in the Southern Ocean.

Many Edinburgh science and visitor attractions are taking part in Discover Antarctica!: the BA, Edinburgh Zoo, Our Dynamic Earth, the Royal Observatory, Deep Sea World, the National Museums of Scotland and the Royal Society of Edinburgh have all collaborated to produce an amazing programme of films, talks, and hands-on activities.

According to Linda Capper, head of press, PR and education at BAS: ‘As a government-funded research organisation, BAS has a commitment to engaging people in its research into big global issues like climate change. The ATCM provides us with the perfect focal point for a whole range of public events to attract everyone from small children to university professors. Working with the Edinburgh branch of the BA and local visitor attractions enables the FCO and BAS to enhance ATCM events and provide a fantastic Antarctic experience for the people of Edinburgh, Leith and Central Scotland.’

‘The enthusiasm for the ATCM and Discover Antarctica! among Edinburgh’s visitor, science and business communities is proof that Antarctica, as a continent for peace and science, nurtures a true spirit of cooperation – whether within science, governments or science communicators.’

For further details about the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting XXIX, and Discover Antarctica! visit www.atcm2006.gov.uk

Reference

1. 2007-2008: an international initiative in which thousands of scientists will further our understanding of polar systems. See www.ipy.org

Becky Allen is the press officer for the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting XXIX
b.allen@bas.ac.uk

@ a glance…

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 to promote peaceful scientific cooperation in the Antarctic

The UK Government is hosting the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Edinburgh from 12-23 June

Delegates will probably agree priorities for future work on environmental management, particularly in the context of climate change, and the International Polar Year1

Alongside the meeting, Edinburgh will be treated to Discover Antarctica!: an extensive programme of events, exhibitions and performances to engage people in research into big global issues like climate change, and bring Antarctica to the public

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