France has established a fund of €1bn for polar research to take place by 2030. French president, Emmanuel Macron, announced the new financing, and called for a moratorium on polar seabed exploitation. So far, 22 countries have signed up to this, including the UK, Sweden and Germany. As part of France’s funding, a new zero-emissions polar vessel will conduct research around Antarctica, and be based between Australia and French territory in New Caledonia. France’s fund will also finance a research initiative in the North and South Poles. The French fund will be used to rebuild a science station in Antarctica, renovate a second, Franco-Italian, station, and will help to finance research in conjunction with other EU partners.
- The polar caps reflect some of the sun’s hottest rays back into space, but exposed, dark ocean absorbs them. Preventing further polar ice cap melt could be a major step in limiting global heating and protecting the planet from more extreme climate change