Antarctica, our shared heritage


Start your journeyHot Topics

Explore Antartica

Antarctica is a ‘sentinel of extremes’. Its harsh yet vulnerable environment is an indicator of the health of the entire planet – its climate and its ecosystems.

My Story

It began with my love of deserts and a desire to protect their fragile beauty. This led me to Antarctica, the biggest desert of all. Now my story continues with you and our exchanges on this website.

Europe Science & Innovation

Europe’s links with Antarctica go back to its earliest exploration. Today, European researchers are active in this laboratory for the world.

Seeking the oldest ice

Franz Immler tells us about the European EPICA and Beyond EPICA projects. He describes the quest to drill for Antarctica’s oldest ice as a way to help understand how the climate has changed in the past and may change in the future.