How are nations like China and Russia leveraging the thawing Arctic for economic and military advantage? Will the Antarctic Treaty withstand increasing pressures, or are we on the brink of a massive international land grab? What is the Antarctic “doomsday glacier,” and why does its melting pose a global threat? 

Join us for an enlightening evening with two leading experts as we unpack the critical intersections of science, climate, and geopolitics at our planet's poles. These regions, critical to Earth's climate systems, are warming at an alarming rate, triggering unprecedented challenges and opportunities. These changes not only threaten global sea levels but also have the potential to reshape the world order, with significant impacts on security, economics, and sustainability. 

In this special two-part program, Mark Serreze, Director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, will set the stage by delving into the science of climate change, providing a vivid picture of what is happening to the Arctic and Antarctic and why it matters for the planet's future. Our second speaker, Ray Arnaudo, former State Department official on ocean and polar affairs and President Emeritus of the Polar Society, will then explore the geopolitical implications, from the opening of new trade routes to the race for resource exploitation and military positioning, as well as opportunities for collaboration in preservation and research.