Statement by Director Sethuraman Panchanathan on Antarctica Day

Today, we recognize and celebrate Antarctica Day and the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. The Antarctic Treaty designated the continent as a place for peace and international collaboration to progress science and is the foundation upon which decades of scientific achievements rest. Despite the challenges presented by the global pandemic, we continue to support cutting-edge research through NSF’s U.S. Antarctic Program that improves our understanding of the Antarctic region and global systems. In particular, NSF-funded research in Antarctica continues to answer critical questions about climate change and its impact on the global community.