Press release
British Antarctic Survey merger called off
2 November 2012
Welcoming the Natural Environment Research Council's (NERC) decision not to merge the British Antarctic Survey and the National Oceanography Centre, Friends of the Earth Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton, said:
"The devastation wreaked by Hurricane Sandy underlines the critical importance of the British Antarctic Survey's work to further our understanding of climate change. It is essential that we have the best possible scientific understanding of the effects of climate change on our environment.
"The decision not to go ahead with the merger is a reflection of the BAS's position as a world renowned centre of scientific research - but NERC still has questions to answer about why and how this merger was proposed in the first place.
"Thankfully MPs and Ministers from all parties have quite rightly stepped in to put the brakes on this ill-conceived merger - David Willetts' indication of ring-fencing future BAS funding is a welcome move."
ENDS
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Nov 2012
