Antarctica and Climate Change

Antarctica  is integral to the global climate system, serving as a critical study area for comprehending and addressing climate change. In September 2019, the Chile Office was instrumental in establishing the first permanent Chilean Antarctica exhibition at the Museo Marítimo Nacional (National Maritime Museum) in the city port of  Valparaiso. This exhibit illustrates the significant academic contributions of Professor James McCarthy, a distinguished climate scientist and oceanographer who devoted his career to engagement in polar research.   

Antarctica Hall Inauguration  
The Antarctic Hall at the Museo Marítimo Nacional (National Maritime Museum) was inaugurated on September 3, 2019, in Valparaiso, Chile, becoming the first permanent exhibit entirely dedicated to Antarctica in the country. Professor McCarthy,  Harvard´s Agassiz Professor of Oceanography, and Dr David Ellis, former President and Director of the Museum of Science, Boston, contributed to the conceptual idea of the Hall, with documentation and academic seminars, since 2013.  Professor James McCarthy, who in 2018 was a co-recipient of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, and Dr. David Ellis, President Emeritus of the Museum of Science in Boston, and former President of the Museum Group, were active participants in the Antarctica-Chile Project  throughout the years.   

The Harvard Chile Office, represented by its Executive Director Marcela Rentería, and alumni and member of the Harvard Club de Chile, Mónica Krassa, also piloted this initiative since the start. The latter contributed with her experience gained after 23 trips to Antarctica by defining the exhibit’s message and content.    

The Antarctic Hall was inaugurated by the Commander in Chief of the Navy, Admiral Julio Leiva Molina and senior officers, as well as the representatives of the organizations and institutions that sponsored the exhibition. Executive Director of DRCLAS, Ned Strong, who also actively participated in the project, attended the opening.   

The Hall has a significant academic and cultural impact in the country, given Chile’s leadership in Antarctic scientific research, its role in mapping, and in search and rescue functions in Antarctica dating back to the 19th and early 20th century, with historical events such as the rescue of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s crew on Elephant Island in 1916 by Chilean navy pilot Luis Pardo. 

“An Antarctica experience is something very special—the ice, the penguins, the feel of an almost distant world, the history, especially Chile’s participation since the heroic days of Antarctic exploration. Today, activities at the Arturo Prat Base, which include both naval and scientific research, will be conveyed by an Internet link, adding an important dimension. For those who cannot go to Antarctica and have a first -hand experience, the Antarctica Hall is the next best thing”, as David Ellis said.