Imperatives for integrated science and policy in managing greenhouse gas risks to the Southern Polar Region

Abstract

The Southern Polar Region (Antarctica and the Southern Ocean) is threatened by climate change, and ocean warming and acidification. Reducing climate risks through direct human interventions in the region or through biological adaptation is not possible. Resilience of the region to global warming needs the establishment of climate refugia and science-based, climate-informed, ecosystem-based management, but long-term conservation will only be assured by global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.