Beyond the Ice

With the heatwaves we've seen in 2026 so far, the impacts of weather are at the forefront of many people's minds. But in today's episode, we're exploring a very different kind of weather - one that originates 150 million km away on the surface of the sun. The space surrounding our planet can be just as turbulent as Earth's atmosphere, with powerful solar winds and violent storms that send bursts of energy racing through our solar system. This ‘space weather’ can have very real consequences, creating spectacular auroras, interfering with satellite communications, disrupting power grids, and affecting the technology that modern society depends upon.In this edition of Beyond the Ice, we meet Professor Richard Horne, a distinguished research scientist in the Space Weather and Atmosphere team at the British Antarctic Survey. He talks about why understanding space weather is becoming a priority in both science and industry, and why our poles, especially Antarctica, are some of the best places on Earth to study it.This was our final episode of Beyond the Ice, but a new podcast from British Antarctic Survey is coming in the autumn. A huge thank you to all of our listeners and subscribers!--Beyond the Ice helps you unpack the latest news in climate science with the experts at British Antarctic Survey. Our planet is changing at a rate and scale unlike anything seen in human history - and Earth's frozen places are the front line. After all, what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.Beyond the Ice is also available as a LinkedIn Newsletter. Read previous editions here: linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7114973466654560256This episode of Beyond the Ice was presented by Em Newton and edited by Boffin Media.

Geopolitics grows more unstable, and interest in Earth’s polar regions is growing. The collaborative spirit and achievements of polar science are growing all the more important.In this edition of Beyond the Ice, Oliver Darke, Director of Operations, Engineering and Infrastructure at British Antarctic Survey, talks about what international collaboration in Antarctica looks like on the ground - and how this fits into today’s diplomatic global context. In Antarctica, the continent has been governed internationally and cooperatively through the Antarctic Treaty since 1959 – an agreement which suspends territorial claims and preserves Antarctica for peace and science. How does this unique context create opportunity for international partnerships?--Beyond the Ice helps you unpack the latest news in climate science with the experts at British Antarctic Survey. Our planet is changing at a rate and scale unlike anything seen in human history - and Earth's frozen places are the front line. After all, what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.Beyond the Ice is also available as a LinkedIn Newsletter. Subscribe here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-ice-7114973466654560256/ Beyond the Ice is edited and presented by Em Newton.

Artist Rowan Huntley and British Antarctic Survey Geochemist Dr Joanne Johnson have been working together to translate polar science into art. Their exhibition at the The Polar Museum in Cambridge is Rowan’s creative response to Jo's research into glaciers, ice sheets, and the geology of Antarctica.  This collaboration comes at a critical moment. The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat, yet scientific data can be overwhelming, and abstract numbers can leave people feeling disconnected rather than motivated to act. Art offers another way in, transforming the science into something tangible, emotional, and open to questioning. It invites audiences to engage with the realities of climate change on different, more human terms.  -- Beyond the Ice helps you unpack the latest news in climate science with the experts at British Antarctic Survey. Our planet is changing at a rate and scale unlike anything seen in human history - and Earth's frozen places are the front line. After all, what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica. -- Beyond the Ice is also available as a LinkedIn Newsletter. Subscribe here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-ice-7114973466654560256/ This episode is presented by Em Newton, and edited by Tabby Taylor Buck. 

Geoengineering is the hot topic in climate science debate - drawing increasingly emotive and divisive responses, as investment in blue-sky engineering proposals grows and progress on decarbonisation stutters. Geoengineering is the deliberate, large scale intervention in Earth's environment and natural systems. As the impacts of climate change start to be felt, preliminary ideas like putting a huge underwater curtain around the unstable Thwaites Glacier are getting more and more media time. Are these necessary tools for climate adaption, or dangerous distractions? Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic Survey, delves into the reality of why we are turning towards geoengineering tools, and the urgent need for scientific engagement to ensure the potential impacts of these technologies are fully assessed. --Beyond the Ice helps you unpack the latest news in climate science with the experts at British Antarctic Survey. Our planet is changing at a rate and scale unlike anything seen in human history - and Earth's frozen places are the front line. After all, what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.Beyond the Ice is also available as a LinkedIn Newsletter. Subscribe here:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-ice-7114973466654560256/ Beyond the Ice is edited and presented by Em Newton.

When news broke that Antarctica had gained ice mass between 2021 and 2023, it sparked debate across comment sections worldwide. How could the continent be gaining ice when we're constantly told it's melting? The reality reveals fascinating insights into how Antarctica's ice system responds to extreme weather.Climate scientist Dr Michelle Maclennan from British Antarctic Survey explains how scientists measure ice changes across this enormous continent. What does "mass balance" actually mean? What are atmospheric rivers, and what part do they play in extreme events? And does this recent ice gain signal hope for the future - or is it just a brief pause in Antarctica's contribution to rising seas?--Beyond the Ice helps you unpack the latest news in climate science with the experts at British Antarctic Survey. Our planet is changing at a rate and scale unlike anything seen in human history - and Earth's frozen places are the front line. After all, what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.Beyond the Ice is also available as a LinkedIn Newsletter. Subscribe here:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-ice-7114973466654560256/ Beyond the Ice is edited and presented by Em Newton.

New research suggests there's been a shocking 22% drop in the Emperor penguin population in Antarctica over just 15 years - more than double previous estimates and outpacing even the most pessimistic projections.In this episode, we speak to Dr Peter Fretwell about his findings, and how he uses satellite technology to count Emperor penguin colonies in some of Earth's most remote and inaccessible locations. We explore why these majestic birds are uniquely vulnerable to climate change, with their breeding cycles entirely dependent on stable sea ice conditions that are rapidly disappearing.Why are emperor penguins disappearing faster than scientists predicted? What complex factors beyond melting ice are threatening their survival? Could they really be facing extinction by 2100? And how do researchers monitor wildlife populations that humans can barely reach?--Beyond the Ice helps you unpack the latest news in climate science with the experts at British Antarctic Survey. Our planet is changing at a rate and scale unlike anything seen in human history - and Earth's frozen places are the front line. After all, what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.Beyond the Ice is also available as a LinkedIn Newsletter. Subscribe here:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-ice-7114973466654560256/ Beyond the Ice is edited and presented by Em Newton.

Forty years ago, British Antarctic Survey scientists made a world-changing discovery: a hole in Earth's protective ozone layer above Antarctica. In this episode, meteorologist Jonathan Shanklin recounts how his routine measurements at Halley Research Station revealed data points literally 'falling off the graph' - the first evidence linking chlorofluorocarbons to ozone depletion. Professor John Pyle explains how this evidence led to the Montreal Protocol, now ratified by every country worldwide and hailed as the most successful international environmental agreement ever. Atmospheric chemist Professor Lucy Carpenter brings us up to date: the ozone layer is recovering but faces challenges from climate change and extreme wildfires.What lessons can this remarkable story of scientific discovery, political action and environmental recovery teach us about tackling today's climate crisis? And how close are we to seeing the Antarctic ozone hole finally close?--Beyond the Ice helps you unpack the latest news in climate science with the experts at British Antarctic Survey. Our planet is changing at a rate and scale unlike anything seen in human history - and Earth's frozen places are the front line. After all, what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.Beyond the Ice is also available as a LinkedIn Newsletter. Subscribe here:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-ice-7114973466654560256/ Beyond the Ice is edited and presented by Em Newton.

In February 2025, there was less sea ice on Earth than ever recorded. It's the coldest time of year in the Arctic, and the freeze up of Arctic ice is nearing its maximum - but that maximum is looking small, significantly below the record lows for winter we saw in 2017. Polar climate scientist Dr Caroline Holmes explains what's influencing these lows in Arctic sea ice, and how it fits into the global climate.Will the Arctic be 'ice free in summer by 2100'? How do climate scientists actually come up with these headlines? What's going on inside those predictive 'climate models' we always hear about? And what do you say to a sceptic who says we've seen this all before?--Beyond the Ice helps you unpack the latest news in climate science with the experts at British Antarctic Survey. Our planet is changing at a rate and scale unlike anything seen in human history - and Earth's frozen places are the front line. After all, what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.Beyond the Ice is also available as a LinkedIn Newsletter. Subscribe here:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-ice-7114973466654560256/ Beyond the Ice is edited and presented by Em Newton.

Wildfires are devastating the city of Los Angeles, fuelled by a perfect storm of dry conditions and intense mountain winds. In this episode of Beyond the Ice, we break down the weather and climate factors behind this ongoing disaster. Climate scientist Dr Ella Gilbert and ice core expert Dr Thomas Bauska explain how our changing climate is making such disasters more frequent and intense, and discuss what needs to be done to adapt to this new reality.We also take a step back to look at what new research into ice cores has recently revealed about major wildfires in Earth’s ancient past. How did scientists find out about wildfires that took place thousands of years ago? And can this tell us anything about the relationship between major climate shifts and wildfire events?---Beyond the Ice helps you unpack the latest news in climate science with the experts at British Antarctic Survey. Our planet is changing at a rate and scale unlike anything seen in human history - and Earth's frozen places are the front line. After all, what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.Beyond the Ice is also available as a LinkedIn Newsletter. Subscribe here:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-ice-7114973466654560256/ Beyond the Ice is edited and presented by Em Newton.

The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet. So far, so bad - and scientists are seeing changes there now. Fresh off scientific fieldwork in the Arctic this summer, marine geophysicist Dr Kelly Hogan and marine biogeochemist Professor Kate Hendry reflect on what they saw and studied in this spectacular and important environment.Through the lens of their science projects - KANG-GLAC and SiCLING - they explain what the consequences of a melting Arctic could be, how these frozen environments are connected to the 'normal' climate we enjoy today, and how understanding the past could be the key to predicting what changes await us in the future.---Beyond the Ice helps you unpack the latest news in climate science with the experts at British Antarctic Survey. Our planet is changing at a rate and scale unlike anything seen in human history - and Earth's frozen places are the front line. After all, what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.Beyond the Ice is also available as a LinkedIn Newsletter. Subscribe here:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/beyond-the-ice-7114973466654560256/ Beyond the Ice is edited and presented by Em Newton.