First national polar conference in Rome: Italian science united to face global challenges

For the first time the Italian scientific community involved in the polar regions gathers at the headquarters of the National Research Council in Rome for the first national polar conference, entitled "Poles of knowledge: from extreme lands to global challenges". The event promoted and coordinated by the CNR in collaboration with Enea, Ingv (Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology) and Ogs (National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics) brings together for the first time the Italian scientific community involved in the polar regions.

Among the different themes of the three days of work, we will discuss the great challenges related to climate change, geopolitics, security, and governance of these extreme areas. We will talk about the role of research in decision-making processes with the aim of providing a white paper with elements of guidance and support for future national strategies and there will be international initiatives aimed at political decision-makers. “The scientific presence in the Arctic, in Antarctica and in the Third Pole of the National Research Council is aimed at understanding phenomena that have implications for the entire Earth system”, explains Andrea Lenzi, president of the CNR, and “the National Polar Conference was created with the aim of strengthening our ability to create a system and relate skills, encouraging dialogue between the scientific community, research bodies and institutions”.

The initiative, adds Francesca Mariotti, president of Enea, "represents an important moment of discussion between entities that have been collaborating for decades in extreme environments, where cooperation is the essential key to carrying out research activities where Enea plays a central role, managing the infrastructures, logistics and organizing expeditions to Antarctica at the service of the entire scientific community".