British Antarctic Survey Polar Science For Planet Earth (PSPE)

1. British Antarctic SurveyPolar Science For Planet Earth (PSPE) Title slide/background templates can be downloaded from the BAS Intranet here: http://basweb.nerc-bas.ac.uk/ppre/ppt-backgrounds.php Images can be downloaded here from the BAS image collection here: http://basweb.nerc-bas.ac.uk/ppre/images.php

2. BAS vision and mission BAS VisionBy 2020 the British Antarctic Survey will be recognised as a world-leading centre for polar research and expertise, addressing issues of global importance BAS MissionTo deliver a world-class programme of scientific research, national capability and long-term observations, concentrating on the regional and global role of polar processes in the Earth System Through our science and impact, sustain for the UK an active and influential Antarctic regional presence, and a leadership role in Antarctic affairs

3. Polar Science For Planet Earth (PSPE) Polar Science for Planet Earth (PSPE) is BAS’s new strategic science framework. It started on 1st April 2009 PSPE supports and responds to the NERC strategy, and NERC’s contribution to the major environmental research programme, Living with Environmental Change PSPE concentrates on key questions of global or fundamental importance that can be best answered by research requiring access to the polar regions PSPE has six research programmes: Climate Chemistry and past climate Ecosystems Environmental Change & Evolution Ice sheets Polar Oceans

4. Polar Science For Planet Earth (PSPE) PSPE straplines: Unlocking the past Understanding the present Predicting the future Exploring the unknown

6. Science delivery To address questions of global scientific importance, PSPE collects data from land, ice, sea and air PSPE uses state-of-the-art drilling, satellite, surveying, monitoring, fieldwork and laboratory technology Data will be used to develop new, and enhance existing, computer models New technologies will be pioneered

7. Long-term monitoring and survey Long-term, quality-controlled and uninterrupted data records are essential to determine both long-term trends and variability in the Earth System PSPE will maintain existing long-term datasets and build on BAS’s strong tradition of making such observations

8. Data collection and curation Data are collected from our research stations, aircraft, ships and field parties, and from autonomous vehicles and instrument platforms Satellite data is increasingly important for polar science, providing a broad context for more detailed measurements BAS makes its data available to national and international scientists, as well as operational organisations (e.g. the UK Met Office) in near-real time, together with archiving data and samples

9. National capability BAS operates five research stations in and around Antarctica (four year-round and one summer-only) BAS has five aircraft and two ice-strengthened ships, RRS James Clark Ross and RRS Ernest Shackleton. BAS ships and aircraft are equipped with sophisticated technology and specialist equipment, enabling them to carry out scientific research as well as logistical operations Each year BAS sends more than 350 staff, collaborators, contractors and visitors to Antarctica to work on science projects at sea, on research stations or in the field Arctic officeAn Arctic Office, based at the BAS offices in Cambridge, co-ordinates UK research in the Arctic on behalf of NERC. The Arctic Office develops collaborations with Arctic countries to share research facilities, equipment and information

10. Partnerships BAS scientists alone cannot answer all of the important polar science questions Collaborations with other NERC research centres, the wider UK environmental science community and international centres of excellence give us a wider perspective Co-ordination of field activities with international partners helps maximise the scientific return

11. Knowledge BAS supports fully the sharing and flow of knowledge, people, skills and expertise both nationally and internationally PSPE exploits commercialisation opportunities for the wider benefit of the economy and provides evidence to support Government policy-making Science in society BAS is committed to explaining its science and operations to as wide an audience as possible. Media relations, publications, events, exhibitions, educational resources, the Internet and a public information service are BAS’s main means of achieving engagement with people of all ages and from all sectors of society

12. People The success of PSPE depends on the skills, quality, commitment and attitude of everyone who works for BAS BAS aspires to develop its staff continuously and promote adaptability, flexibility and inter-disciplinary teamwork BAS has been accredited with the industry-standard Investors in People (IiP) award Despite working in some of the world’s most challenging areas, BAS delivers its science using the best health and safety practice

13. Protecting the environment BAS operates in the world’s last great wilderness areas To preserve such an exceptional environment it is crucial to measure, understand and minimise the effects of our presence BAS is committed to delivering PSPE with the minimum environmental impact through the use of an Environmental Management System (certified to ISO 14001 standard) All of our activities continue to comply with the requirements of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty

14. More information about PSPE can be found here: http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/bas_research/our_research/current/index.php