Antarctic Science

Why U.S. Leadership and
Investments Matter

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.

Contents

Introduction

Unparalleled Opportunity for Discovery

A Linchpin in the Global Climate System

Learning from Earth’s Least Polluted Environment

A Unique Biological Laboratory

Peering into the Universe

U.S. Science and Policy Leadership in the Antarctic

The U.S. Antarctic Program

International Cooperation

Cutting-Edge Science at the Edge of the World

Observing the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

Studying Antarctic Life at the Genomic Level

Measuring the Cosmic Microwave Background

Other Groundbreaking Antarctic Research

Conclusion

Endnotes