Science is to a large extent the currency of governance and geopolitics in Antarctica, giving countries that conduct scientific research there a seat at the Antarctic Treaty System table. But should countries—often from the global South—that bear the brunt of the effects of climate-induced geophysical changes in Antarctica be given a greater voice in the ATS, even if they lack the resources to conduct costly research in the southern high latitudes? Similarly, should the influence of ATS states somehow be related to their level of carbon dioxide emissions, which drive the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet? Peder Roberts, associate professor at the University of Stavanger, joins the podcast to reflect on how countries could be incentivized to reduce their impact on Antarctica while continuing to pursue ambitious polar science programs.
Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis