Antarctic Science: Why U.S. Leadership and Investments Matter (2022)

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Antarctic Science Why U.S. Leadership and Investments Matter 1 

Preface The Antarctic environment and the life that dwells there are perhaps best encapsulated by these words: tenacious, yet fragile. The continent’s vast ice sheet—which blankets thousands of miles of land with millions of years of accumulated snow and ice—is dominating, formidable, and humbling. Yet, it is also showing signs of loss and decay, as warming temperatures eat away at its icy edges. Antarctica’s incredible life forms have found a way to thrive in impossible places: penguins huddling together against the wind, microbes thriving in the ancient dark of subglacial lakes, non-freezable fish darting through sub-freezing temperatures in the deep ocean, and plants flourishing for a brief and glorious summer before retreating for a long winter’s nap. Yet, now and in the coming years, many of these organisms face growing stresses from climate change and the impacts of increased human activity in the Antarctic—stresses for which they are unprepared—potentially threatening their survival and upending ecosystems. Humanity’s relationship with Antarctica is also tenacious yet fragile. For centuries, the tenacious quest for discovery has driven people to endure arduous journeys into Antarctica’s farthest reaches, documenting their observations with painstaking rigor. To this day, the work remains difficult and dangerous, demanding meticulous planning, complex logistics, and deep respect for the environment. For decades, countries around the world have fostered a unified vision for Antarctica and forged alliances to explore its wonders, upholding systems of cooperation that have withstood the political divisions between nations. Yet this unity could be fragile if international tensions or economic demands eventually lead to the consideration of exploiting Antarctica for resources beyond just knowledge and understanding. This tenacious, fragile continent inspires awe and demands respect. It also needs our protection. This booklet, drawing primarily from reports of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,1 captures a multitude of insights gained—and sought—from U.S. research investments in this remarkable place. As is evident from the wide range of scientific activities, Antarctica both holds immense value for advancing human knowledge and faces immense threats from human influences on the environment, the impacts of which have global consequences. A continued commitment to science, cooperation, and a shared vision for the future are required to build on this rich history of discovery and answer crucial questions in the decades ahead. 

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Contents Introduction1 Unparalleled Opportunity for Discovery 4 A Linchpin in the Global Climate System 5 Learning from Earth’s Least Polluted Environment 10 A Unique Biological Laboratory  13 Peering into the Universe 16 U.S. Science and Policy Leadership in the Antarctic  18 The U.S. Antarctic Program 19 International Cooperation 24 Cutting-Edge Science at the Edge of the World 28 Observing the West Antarctic Ice Sheet 30 Studying Antarctic Life at the Genomic Level 32 Measuring the Cosmic Microwave Background 33 Other Groundbreaking Antarctic Research 34 Conclusion40 Endnotes43