Protecting the Antarctic and Why It Matters for Cornwall
As a member of Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee, I was proud to welcome the release of our latest report on the UK and the Antarctic environment.
This is more than a study of a distant, frozen continent. The Antarctic may feel far away, but the environmental changes happening there are deeply connected to the world we live in—including right here in South East Cornwall.
Melting ice sheets, rising sea levels, and changes to ocean currents can have profound effects on our own coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and global climate stability. That’s why this report is so important: it sheds light on what the UK can and must do to protect the Antarctic environment, while also strengthening our response to the climate crisis at home.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to all the researchers, scientists, and committee staff who worked tirelessly to bring this report together. It is a vital step in holding the Government to account and ensuring that we live up to our international environmental responsibilities.
The Committee will continue to scrutinise Government action closely to make sure promises are followed through with real progress—and I will keep speaking up for the environmental interests of communities like ours here in Cornwall.