Australia’s status in Antarctica threatened by reduced research

Guardian : The Antarctic Treaty was put in place in 1961 to maintain Antarctica as a territory to be used only for scientific research. The treaty also acknowledges territorial claims made prior to the signing of the treaty and prevents further claims being made, but does not recognize any claim over another. Membership in the treaty is contingent on maintaining a certain level of scientific production. Australia, as one of the original 12 signatories to the treaty, claims 43% of the continent. However, between 1997 and 2014, the number of Australian research projects in Antarctica dropped from 142 to just 62. That decline threatens Australia’s status regarding the treaty. A report from the Australian Academy of Science points to aging infrastructure and transport and insufficient funding as the primary cause for the decline. Regarding the country’s work in Antarctica, the Australian government is working on a 20-year strategic plan that is due later this year.