French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged €1 billion (£880 million) towards polar research by 2030 as mounting scientific concerns surround the accelerating melting of the world’s ice caps and glaciers. Macron made this announcement during a climate summit in Paris, attended by global leaders and scientists, just ahead of Cop28.
The allocation of funds will support a new polar science vessel that will play a central role in the research efforts. Additionally, France is advocating for a moratorium on seabed exploitation in polar regions—a proposal endorsed by countries such as the UK, Canada, Brazil, and 19 others.
Addressing the summit, Macron emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are not talking about a threat for tomorrow, but one that is already present and accelerating.” He described the transformation of the cryosphere (Earth’s ice) as a current threat affecting millions and potentially endangering billions of people globally.
Concerns about the Earth’s polar regions and glaciers have intensified due to heatwaves observed at both poles, now predicted to become more frequent. With 2023 already being the hottest year on record and the potential impact on climate becoming increasingly evident, Macron’s commitment to polar research aims to address these critical issues.
The Earth’s ice caps play a crucial role in reflecting sunlight (the “albedo effect”), and their melting leads to the absorption of more heat by darkened sea surfaces. This presents a potential tipping point that could rapidly escalate climate change. Even though US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry couldn’t attend the Paris summit, he issued a video message highlighting the importance of understanding irreversible tipping points.
Scientists, including Sir David King of the Centre for Climate Repair at Cambridge University, believe that drastic measures are necessary to avert the worst outcomes. Macron convened the high-level meeting in Paris, gathering heads of state and scientists from countries with polar territory or glaciers.
During the summit, experts highlighted alarming statistics, such as temperatures rising four times faster in the Arctic than the global average, projections of half the world’s glaciers disappearing by the end of the century, and a doubling of the rate of sea level rise over the last two decades.
Macron’s call for action aligns with France’s active role in pushing for agreements at the upcoming UN Cop28 climate summit in Dubai. The nation, with its glaciers in the Alps and Antarctic presence, seeks to address climate challenges comprehensively. Macron’s leadership extends to hosting a climate finance summit, where he advocated for substantial investment in the developing world alongside the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.
The melting of glaciers worldwide, a phenomenon underscored by the head of the World Meteorological Organization, Petteri Taalas, poses severe threats to over 1 billion people dependent on glaciers for water and agriculture. Besides reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions, scientists emphasize immediate measures to address issues like soot and methane, which could potentially mitigate the risks associated with glacier collapse or polar tipping points.
As the Cop28 UN climate summit approaches, discussions on mitigating methane emissions and addressing climate pollutants are expected to take center stage. The urgency of these actions is emphasized by experts who advocate for immediate steps to combat air pollution and reduce the impact of short-lived climate pollutants like soot.