Introduction
Imagine a place…
…where the ice beneath your feet stretches down for miles before touching solid ground.
…where gale-force winds and temperatures below –70°F are not unusual.
…that is as vast as the United States and Mexico combined, whose total population would fit on a cruise ship or two.
…that belongs to no nation yet represents an unparalleled resource for advancing humanity’s knowledge.
This place does not have to be imagined. It is Earth’s southernmost continent: Antarctica.
To most people, Antarctica seems utterly remote, not only in terms of physical distance but also in its role in our daily lives. The continent is not a source of any important natural resources that we consume or use. Its current events will rarely show up in your news feed. Most of us will never get to visit Antarctica in person. So, one might fairly ask, “Why does Antarctica matter?” Given the countless pressing needs we face as a nation, why should the United States invest in scientific and diplomatic leadership in this far corner of the world?
The reasons are numerous and may surprise you.
The Antarctic offers profound insights into the past, present, and future of our planet. These insights emerge both from studies of the Antarctic itself and from studies that leverage Antarctica as a unique platform for looking beyond our world. Standing for decades as a global leader in Antarctic science and exploration, the United States occupies a vital role in driving research advances and supporting international collaboration to protect, learn from, and celebrate this exceptional place—for the benefit of all.