About 4,000 kilometers south of Perth, you’ll find Casey Station—one of Australia’s three research bases in Antarctica and the closest to the Australian mainland.
When Professor Nerilie Abram first set foot there in the summer of 2013-2014, researchers relied on the sea ice to conduct various scientific projects. Fast forward to her latest visit in 2023-2024, and things have drastically changed.
“The rapid loss of Antarctic sea ice is alarming. Areas we used to access by walking on ice are now open water,” Abram explains. This shift in the Antarctic climate poses serious challenges, prompting the Australian government to invest an additional $208.8 million over seven years in the Australian Antarctic Division.
This funding increase comes at a time when the Trump administration in the U.S. has been reducing its focus on climate research, including work in Antarctica. Meanwhile, countries like China, South Korea, and New Zealand are enhancing their efforts in this critical region.
Australia’s Environment Minister, Murray Watt, highlights the strategic importance of Antarctica. The Albanese government has dedicated $1.7 billion to Antarctic operations since the 2022 election. According to Watt, investing in Antarctic science gives Australia a stronger voice in future decisions regarding the continent and its ecosystems.
Human activity in Antarctica is growing, from krill fishing to increasing tourism, which attracted 125,000 visitors last year. As competition for resources rises, experts express concerns about the future of the Antarctic Treaty—designed to protect the continent—which may struggle to maintain its integrity amid changing global dynamics. Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan, a fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, emphasizes, “The current laws governing Antarctica don’t align with today’s geopolitical realities. We lack a backup plan if countries begin to ignore the treaty.”
Research priorities for the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) include studying climate change and its global implications. The newly allocated funds will allow for more voyages by the research vessel Nuyina, expanding its time at sea from 200 to 290 days over the next three years.
One major focus is krill—small crustaceans vital for the Southern Ocean’s ecology. Krill serve as a key food source for many species, including whales and seals. Additionally, understanding sea ice’s role is crucial; it not only insulates the Antarctic continent but also has a global influence on weather and climate patterns. The loss of sea ice can worsen climate change by replacing reflective ice with heat-absorbing water.
The AAD has made strides in understanding the melting of the Denman Glacier, which holds enough ice to potentially raise global sea levels by 1.5 meters if it melts entirely—though that would take centuries. The situation is urgent, considering that the past three years have been the hottest on record.
International collaboration is vital for Antarctic research. Australia has teamed up with nations like France, New Zealand, and South Korea to collect significant data, such as an ice core that holds over a million years of climate history.
In stark contrast, the U.S. government has cut funds for climate science, affecting research in Antarctica. The National Science Foundation faced proposed reductions of up to 57%, although Congress managed to limit the cut to 3.4%. Access to vital climate data is also at risk, as NASA might restrict usage of important satellite data, complicating research operations for scientists globally.
Despite these setbacks, international interest in Antarctica is on the rise. India plans to build its fourth research base, while China has started up several new bases, now leading the world in Antarctic scientific publications. A recent report found the surge in output from Chinese researchers, highlighting a shift in the global landscape of Antarctic science.
Antarctica’s governance relies on the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which restricts resource extraction to scientific purposes. However, this treaty is looser than it seems. The increasing intersection of scientific and military interests raises concerns about potential exploitation. Krill fishing remains the main commercial activity in the region, but an expired international agreement to manage it smartly has raised alarms about overfishing and ecological impacts.
For now, Antarctica remains a critical focus for scientists, geopoliticians, and environmental activists alike. As climate change accelerates, its effects are felt far beyond the icy continent, making our understanding and stewardship of this vital region more important than ever.
