Axe the British Antarctic Survey?

SleeperService · Post by **SleeperService** » 09 Oct 2012, 06:41

AnOriginalIdea wrote:
No...people only say that about the ones they disagree with. For peak oil, it works when economists get involved. When they declare peak oil has happened, they are golden. When they estimate that peak oil hasn't happened and won't for awhile, they are dogs.

The climate change debate seems to have devolved down to about the same level.

What utter drivel.

Most scientists accept Climate Change is real, there are discussions about how much is manmade. The deniers have, so far, all been linked to organisations that are acting in the private interests of their paymasters. A bit like you.

Economists also accept that universal global growth is coming to an end. As demand continues to grow it will be met by reducing resources from one area to feed another. Economists see growth as one extra benefiting without impacting another. With oil supply at a plateau and demand increasing despite the Global Recession causing destruction of demand effectively Peak Oil is NOW.

ujoni08 · Post by **ujoni08** » 10 Oct 2012, 20:57

Hey RGR, how's life, old friend?

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 01 Nov 2012, 08:00

http://www.parliament.uk/business/commi ... rc-report/

The NERC council should not proceed with their current plans to merge the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) MPs have warned today.

The Science and Technology Committee was not convinced that the Research Council had properly made a case for the merger in terms of science or cost saving. The Committee also had concerns about the process of consultation and the apparent lack of concern about sensitive geo-political considerations surrounding the South Antarctic operations.

Post by **clv101** » 02 Nov 2012, 09:50

Meanwhile, here are some nice photos from Antarctica:
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012 ... ca/100384/

Post by **clv101** » 02 Nov 2012, 09:59

Minister's written statement:

"The Council of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) met on 1 November to discuss the proposed merger of the British Antarctic Survey and the National Oceanography Centre. NERC Council considered the responses to its public consultation as well as feedback from Parliament; Government; the polar affairs community; scientists; and NERC staff.

NERC's handling of the responses was subject to external independent scrutiny by Professor Robert Allison, Vice Chancellor and President of Loughborough University.

The British Antarctic Survey is a national and international asset that delivers world-class environmental science, and this country's strategic presence in Antarctica and the South Atlantic. The UK's commitment to continuing this dual mission in the region is as strong as ever.

NERC has already committed to maintain the funding of the British Antarctic Survey at £42m a year for the rest of this spending review period.

Looking to the future - though without pre-empting the timing and size of the next spending review settlement - I consider that NERC should have a discrete funding line for Antarctic infrastructure and logistics from within the ring-fenced science budget to ensure a visible UK commitment to maintaining Antarctic science and presence.

Having completed its consultation, NERC Council agreed that it will not proceed with the proposal for merger. The British Antarctic Survey and National Oceanography Centre will remain as NERC's centres."

http://www.nerc.ac.uk/about/work/boards ... eConsent=A[/quote]

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 02 Nov 2012, 11:53

So that's a result then? Looks good. Are there any catches?