Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) Open Science Conference
The Antarctic Science Platform was pleased to be a sponsor of the Climate and Cryosphere Open Science Conference from February 9-12, 2026, in Wellington.
Conference participants were warmly invited to visit the Platform’s exhibition booth, where members of our research community were on hand to share updates from across the programme and discuss emerging science in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The booth offered an informal space to reconnect with colleagues, meet Platform researchers, and explore opportunities for collaboration with partners from Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas.
PANEL DISCUSSION: IMPENDING CRISES IN THE CRYOSPHERE
Tipping Points and their Consequences
The accelerating loss of the cryosphere – mountain glaciers, polar ice sheets and ice shelves, sea ice, lake ice, snow and permafrost – is one of the clearest planet-wide consequences of global warming so far. As our climate undergoes unprecedented shifts due to human-induced global warming, the cryosphere is at risk of crossing multiple, irreversible tipping points near 1.5-2˚C of global warming. During this panel discussion we heard from leading international climate scientists about what we are in for, what can still be done and how we can adapt to this impending crisis in Earth’s cryosphere. The discussion was followed by an audience Q&A facilitated by Radio New Zealand climate change journalist Kate Newton.
• Thursday, 12 February 7–8.30pm at Rutherford House, Wellington
WORKSHOP: FOUNDATIONS OF MĀTAURANGA IN THE ANTARCTIC SCIENCE PLATFORM
The Platform’s mātauranga, marine and terrestrial science advances understanding of Antarctica’s impact on the global earth system and on Aotearoa, and how this might change in a warming world. This workshop, scheduled as a pre-conference event to coincide with the Climate and Cryosphere Open Science Conference, was designed to appeal to people involved directly with the Antarctic Science Platform, and also welcomed guests from outside the Platform and abroad who were curious to learn about mātauranga in the Platform.
• Sunday, 8 February, 2-5pm at Victoria University of Wellington’s Pipitea Campus