Episode 1: Antarctica - Our Climate’s Past, Present & Future

Antarctica’s pristine wilderness inspires and delights, but its importance goes beyond it being a place of conservation and peace. Dr Tony Press, former Director of the Australian Antarctic Division, spoke to Sophie Taylor-Price about the importance of Antarctica in relation to global climate and climate science. Just why is the protection of Antarctica, and the science we do there, just so important? In this episode we learn about its role in building our climatic records, driving global climate and weather patterns, and predicting future climatic responses to variations in climate.

KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE

“If we don’t protect Antarctica, we can’t protect the planet”

“you can’t seperate the science in Antarctica from the global understanding of what’s happening with climate change, or how the planet will survive well into the future… Antarctica is an integral part of our global understanding. In that sense it certainly isn’t science for science sake. It’s science that tells us about our future and it can point us in the right direction about the things that we need to understand and do.”

“[Antartica] is so grand and majestic that it is very difficult to put into words. Even the photos that you take when you’re there don’t convey that connection between the heart and the eyes, which is something you get when you go to Antarctica.”

“I think there is a growing momentum on our planet to grasp this nettle and to make the changes that are required to protect Antarctica and to protect the planet’s future.”