Polar Zero

A gift to the future

By United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

British Antarctic Survey / Royal College of Art / Arup

1. The Challenge

British Antarctic Survey Scientists must brave the extreme environment of the polar ice caps to drill, analyse and preserve cylinders of ice from Antarctica that record past climate change and help us predict the future. 

image montage of polar zero (2021-09) by Pete BucktroutUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

2. The Solution

Ice-cores are a repository of scientific and cultural data reflecting humanity’s engagement with the polar regions, uncovering mysteries embedded in the ice. These works could give us a better understanding of humanity’s impact on the natural environment and its climate systems.

Polar Zero - Artist Wayne Binitie (2019) by Ben RichardsonUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Artist Wayne Bintie explains his fascination with ice.

Polar Zero - Dr Robert Mulvaney (2021-07) by Ben RichardsonUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Dr Robert Mulvaney, Science Leader at the British Antarctic Survey, talks about art and science.

ice core illustration (2021-09) by Jamie Oliver, Pete BucktroutUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

3. Going Forward

Our exhibition is designed to further people's engagement with climate change on an emotional level. 

Polar Zero - Jo da Silva (2021-07) by Ben RichardsonUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Jo Da Silva, Global Sustainable Development Leader at Arup, discusses how art can expound our emotional engagement with climate change.

antarctic ice core by Robert MulvaneyUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

An Antarctic ice core is a unique record of the Earth's past climate history.

Antarctic field campUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26

Scientists camp deep in Antarctic's interior.

Credits: Story

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views and opinions of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. The mere appearance of the story on this website does not constitute an endorsement by the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. The UN Climate Change Conference COP26 does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of third party material included in the story featured.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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