Antarctica is one of the most untouched and remote regions left on our planet. As our fifth largest continent, this unique area contains almost 90% of the world’s ice and is home to some incredible animals and plants.

However, as one of the most rapidly warming places on Earth, Antarctica is under significant threat from climate change. It is also under pressure from countries seeking to expand their interests, particularly around fishing, research and tourism.

Join us online or in-person to celebrate this unique region on Antarctica Day 2020.

We’ll hear about the Beyond EPICA – Oldest Ice challenge, a project aiming to find the oldest ice core on Earth. Beyond EPICA is an European funded project coordinated by the National Research Council of Italy. This project could give us valuable information about Earth's climate dating back 1.5 million years.

We’ll discuss how climate change is impacting the region and its biodiversity, what is being done to address these impacts and what else we can do to protect this precious continent.

Light refreshments will be served for in-person attendees after the event.

Speakers and presentation topics (in order of presentation) -

H.E. Francesca Tardioli, Ambassador of Italy to Australia - Introductory address.

Dr Rocco Ascione - Station Leader, Dome C, Antarctica - Life and Science at Concordia Station (Antarctica): the white Mars.

Prof Carlo Barbante - Director of the Institute of Polar Sciences (CNR) and Project Coordinator of "Beyond Epica Project" - Beyond EPICA, the quest for oldest ice in Antarctica.

Prof Nerilie Abram - ANU Research School of Earth Sciences - how is climate change impacting Antarctica and it's biodiversity?

Dr Emily Shuckburgh - Director, Cambridge Zero, University of Cambridge - in discussion with Prof Mark Howden on global responses to climate change.

Ms Julie Le Saos - Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France to Australia - introducing, and presenting awards, to students from Telopea Park School.

Moderator - Prof Mark Howden - Director, ANU Climate Change Institute

Join the livestream via YouTube - link will be available on the day of the event. Please register for the ticket named - "Online attendance" and the link will be sent to your nominated email. We will also post the link here on the day.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE Q&A SESSION

We will be incorporating an online platform for Q&A that will run throughout the event.

You can join now by clicking the links below. Add your questions or "like" questions to keep them near the top of the feed. You can add your questions before and during the event so join now to be ready. We will not be taking questions from a roving mic due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Type into your internet browser (or click the link) -

vevox.app

then enter the 9-digit meeting ID

115 169 794

OR download the Vevox app from the app store on your smart device

Links for iOS or Android - After opening the app, enter the 9-digit meeting ID above.

Further info on using Vevox

Vevox does not require users to create an account and you will not be asked to “sign up” to use this platform. There will be the opportunity to add your name when you first connect to the meeting – this is only used as a tag identifier for your questions. If you wish to remain anonymous, please type "anon" or similar when prompted upon entering the website or app. You can change your profile name at any time by clicking on the menu option (top left-hand side of the page) and clicking the pencil icon to edit your profile name.

This thread is moderated, any posts with derogatory or offensive language will not be posted. Please ensure you are asking a question about the event, comments and advertisements will also not be published.

We welcome comments for discussion on social media platforms, and you can tag us by using the handles @ANU_Climate for Twitter and @ANUClimate for Facebook. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at climate@anu.edu.au. If you would like to see more about us, go to our website at climate.anu.edu.au

NB: Vevox uses a persistent connection to give you live updates of the question feed. If your security or firewall settings prevent these types of connections, please give access to "*.vevox.app" on your internet browser's firewall settings. Vevox Q&A discussion boards operate over HTTPS which is a secure connection. Vevox never transmits data over unencrypted channels. All data to/from their systems is encrypted in-transit.

For more information on this process see the Vevox website here

This event is being organised by the ANU Climate Change Institute, the Italian Embassy in Australia, the French Embassy in Australia, and the British High Commission in Australia.

There is a low risk factor at this event for the spread of COVID-19, however, there will be precautions in place to ensure that everyone's health and safety is a priority. If you are sick or have symptoms or if you have recently travelled to/from a corona hot spot or overseas recently, please do not attend this event in person. Seating will be spaced to comply with current guidelines for social distancing, we also ask that you remain at least 1.5 metres away from others at the event, no touching or hand shaking. We will be providing hand sanitizer at multiple locations for your use, please clean your hands often and minimise touching you face; we also recommend that you wear a mask when at this event. There will be signage and protocol officers in attendance to help keep you informed on COVID safe practices. If you attend, we will keep a record of your name and contact details for 28 days for contact tracing purposes.

By registering for this event you are also subscribing to the ANU Climate Change Institute / Energy Change Institute mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe button at the bottom of any correspondence.