Milano, 2 December. (askanews) – In 2025 the National Antarctic Research Program celebrates 40 years since its establishmentFurthermore, this year also marks the twentieth anniversary of the entry into operation of the Concordia Station and Italy hosted the 47th meeting of the Antarctic Treaty. For these reasons the National Scientific Commission for Antarctica has promoted a day of celebrations: “Antarctica Day”.
Antarctica, science and climate: the CNR celebrates 40 years of Italian research
“Italy – said Claudio Onofri, president of the CNSA – still occupies today fifth place for scientific production compared to all the countries operating in Antarctica. Then there were some programs that are considered flagship, for example the Boomerang program which photographed the first background of the universe. Or the EPICA and Beyond EPICA program which reconstructed the climate of 800 thousand years, is now reconstructing the climate of one and a half million years. So I am programs that also gave a vision of the past and the futureof the future of the planet, which are fundamental for understanding what is happening and what will happen.”
(C)cristinamittermeier_Antarctic Peninsula Antarctica 2022
On scientific expeditions The Ministry of Defense also plays a central rolewhich recently signed a memorandum of understanding with ENEA, aimed at developing advanced projects and shared capabilities. “It is a common shared story of 40 years of Italian scientific research expeditions to Antarctica – said Isabella Rauti, undersecretary of Defense with responsibility for the Arctic, Sub-Arctic and Antarctica – and the armed forces have always contributed to the punctual carrying out of these expeditions. They do it with assets, I would say dual use for civil use, but they are military instruments and assets and allow the regular carrying out of scientific research with an inter-force contribution”.
Studying Antarctica to address the climate crisis
In this historical period marked by the climate crisis, studying Antarctica is fundamental for all humanity. “It is a historic date for many reasons – concluded the president of the CNR Andrea Lenzi – but above all an indicator of the duration and importance that the Italian national system assigns to the Antarctic. Another indicator could be that for twenty years we have installed a base in the Antarctic called Concordia Station. It is no coincidence that it has this name, because it is an indicator that Antarctica is not a continent owned by anyone but it is a continent for everyone, that is its neutrality is an essential goodits ecosystem is a system where the entire climate system of the world can be kept under control”.
It was also presented during Antarctica Day the exhibition “Antarctica the White Continent. 40 years of Italian research”, a journey that illustrates the history and geography of the continent and retraces the stages of the Italian presence, highlighting the most significant scientific and logistical results.
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