Established within the Australian Antarctic Program in 2021, and supported by the Australian Research Council through its Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science, Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF) is a world-leading research and training program dedicated to securing this unique frozen continent that acts as the heartbeat of our planet. 
Our mission is to understand the rapid changes taking place across the Antarctic region and translate that knowledge into innovative ways to forecast, mitigate, and manage these changes that impact us all. 
The urgency of this mission stems from the fact that Antarctica’s future is tied to our own. The Southern Ocean regulates global temperatures by absorbing approximately 40% of human-made CO2, while the stability of Antarctic ice sheets is essential for maintaining sea levels that protect the world's coastlines. These climate systems directly influence extreme weather, drought, and fire risks in Australia and globally. 
To address these challenges, SAEF operates as a science-to-policy powerhouse. Our diverse team of global experts and partners across education, government, foundations and business, is bridging knowledge gaps to deliver the evidence-based information needed to secure a sustainable future. This collaborative effort is a core component of Australia's national research priorities, directly contributing to the Australian Antarctic Decadal Strategy.

Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future

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