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The Institute Appeal
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Why an appeal?
Why should we be interested in the Polar Regions?
- The first reason must be: climate change. Polar regions hold the key to global change, because most of the world's fresh water is locked in polar ice caps. If the West Antarctic ice sheet melts, sea level change will affect huge numbers of people around the world. And thinning Arctic sea ice will cause changes in ocean circulation leading to unexpected and rapid shifts of climate. These are phenomena we must understand.
- The second is surely: the wise use of resources. Both the Arctic and the Antarctic have a surprising range of natural resources, from marine life to oil and gas, but are also the last true wilderness regions, and are extremely sensitive to the effects of resource exploitation. This places huge demands on our technical and political capacities to manage both resources and regions sustainably.
- The third is: international cooperation. The Antarctic Treaty is a model of international cooperation; a continent managed by international agreement. In the Arctic, the common needs of remote indigenous peoples are addressed through the Arctic Council and other circumpolar institutions. The polar regions thus offer hope that nations can cooperate.
What contribution can the Institute make?
- For more than 80 years, the Institute has offered an unrivalled source of diverse forms of polar information and expertise.
- Whilst other institutions now specialize in the study of the polar regions, the Institute is unique for its inclusive, bi-polar and circum-polar vision. Since the issues which make polar regions so important are bi-polar and circum-polar, the Institute is uniquely placed to continue and develop its leading role.
- Today more than ever, we need one Centre to bring together everything learned about the polar regions, regardless of where learned and in what language published, and to disseminate this knowledge worldwide by means of the Internet in formats comprehensible to all.
Who will gain from this?
We all shall, given that the polar regions are crucial for our future welfare. Improved scientific knowledge is essential, but traditionally the Institute has also helped explorers, government, industry, polar inhabitants, and even armchair travellers; indeed, anyone 
with a desire to know more about the Arctic or Antarctic.
Scientific knowledge of continental Antarctica effectively began with the expeditions of Captain Scott. Sir Ernest Shackleton set an example for leadership in adversity which today's business leaders still seek to emulate. These men inspired the Institute's foundation and development. The purpose of the Scott Polar Research Institute Fund is to safeguard and enhance knowledge based on their achievements, and those of their fellow explorers and scientists. The uses to which this Fund will be put are outlined here. These are the tasks we have set ourselves and for which we now seek your help.