Press release
Cuts to the British Antarctic Survey - Friends of the Earth reaction
1 October 2012
Commenting on reports that the Government plans to close the British Antarctic Survey operations in Cambridge and cut funding, Craig Bennett, Director of Policy and Campaigns at Friends of the Earth, said:
"This year has seen record ice melt in the Arctic, drought and wildfires in the US, and flooding here in the UK. With these serious warnings of the climatic disruption that we are likely to face in the decades to come, it is astounding that the self-proclaimed 'Greenest government ever' would contemplate closing the British Antarctic Survey's Cambridge headquarters, and cutting their funding at this critical time.
"For 50 years, The British Antarctic Survey has been at the forefront of scientific research into both Polar regions. It has earned itself a first class international reputation and is a jewel in the crown of British science.
"It's time for David Cameron to step in and save this great British institution from the cold ice of government cuts, and show that his hug a huskie moment while in opposition was not in fact an insincere gesture to woo the electorate."
ENDS
Notes to editor
1. Reported in today's (Sunday 30 September 2012) Observer - Cuts threat to UK Antarctic research on climate change, see report here.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Oct 2012
