National Academies Press: OpenBook
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Antarctic Science: Why U.S. Leadership and Investments Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26617.
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Antarctic Science

Why U.S. Leadership and
Investments Matter


Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Antarctic Science: Why U.S. Leadership and Investments Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26617.
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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.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Antarctic Science: Why U.S. Leadership and Investments Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26617.
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Image
SOURCE: Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica team.

Group photo taken at the geographic South Pole. SOURCE: Christopher Michel. (front cover)
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Antarctic Science: Why U.S. Leadership and Investments Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26617.
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Page R1
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Antarctic Science: Why U.S. Leadership and Investments Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26617.
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Page R2
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Antarctic Science: Why U.S. Leadership and Investments Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26617.
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Page R3
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Antarctic Science: Why U.S. Leadership and Investments Matter. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/26617.
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Page R4
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As the coldest, most remote, and most extreme environment on Earth, Antarctica provides a unique vantage point for investigating life adaptations, understanding the health of the global climate, and peering into the depths of the Universe. For example, ecological studies in the Dry McMurdo Valley help explain how life survives in extremes, observations of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet reveal vital information about our changing climate, and the Ice Cube Neutrino Observatory provides insights into supernovae, black holes, and similar phenomenon. Since 1959, the Antarctic Treaty has ensured the continent remains a haven for scientific investigation, offering up an invaluable model of global cooperation with U.S. leadership provided by the U.S. Antarctic Program.

This booklet, drawing primarily from reports of the National Academies, captures a multitude of insights gained - and sought - from U.S. research investments in this remarkable place. 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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