The continent without youth that shapes the future of all

The continent without youth that shapes the future of all | Photo: Martin Sanchez

By Gabriela Casuso ,  Proyecto Acuática

Antarctica is the only continent without a resident population or youth communities. This reality reveals a deep paradox: the place where no one grows up is the one that will most influence the lives of today’s young generations. Ending the year by looking south is not just symbolic; it’s an acknowledgment that the future of our climate, oceans, and planet depends on a territory rarely discussed in public conversations or educational systems.

Science is clear: Antarctica is critical for global climate stability. It holds approximately 90% of the world’s ice and 70% of its freshwater (IPCC AR6). Its loss is not a regional issue, it’s a global process.

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is losing roughly 150–250 gigatons of ice per year (NASA; IMBIE, 2023), contributing to sea level rise and affecting ocean circulation, global temperatures, and the distribution of marine nutrients. To put this in perspective: one gigaton equals a billion kilograms of ice entering the ocean.

If this continues, Antarctica could contribute up to 15 meters of sea level rise over the long term (DeConto & Pollard, Nature, 2016).

Most of the world’s population lives near the coast, yet understanding of the Southern Ocean remains limited. This knowledge gap has direct consequences: citizens who don’t understand Antarctica’s climatic role are less likely to support protective actions or recognize its importance in diplomacy.

Understanding Antarctica doesn’t require studying polar geology; it means recognizing how this remote system affects freshwater availability, coastal stability, biodiversity, and global climate patterns.

Currently, only 7% of the global ocean is protected, far from the 30x30 conservation goal. In Antarctica, proposals to create Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Weddell Sea and East Antarctica have been delayed for years within CCAMLR, despite their undeniable ecological value.

Protecting these areas directly supports:

·       The resilience of migratory species.

·       Stabilization of sea ice.

·       Preservation of essential ecosystems like:

o   Antarctic krill, the base of the food chain.

o   Emperor penguins.

o   Fin and minke whales.

o   Other ice-dependent mammals.

Krill populations have decreased by up to 40% in some regions due to warming and concentrated fishing (Atkinson et al., PNAS, 2019). This decline affects not only Antarctic wildlife but also the overall health of the global ocean.

The world needs both rigorous science and compelling narratives. Young people can bridge this gap by:

·       Translating complex science into accessible language.

·       Actively participating in conservation efforts.

·       Applying social and political pressure to protect ecosystems.

·       Ensuring that knowledge doesn’t remain isolated in laboratories or conferences.

No young person lives in Antarctica, yet the continent’s future will directly shape theirs. Ocean literacy and awareness are essential tools for action for youth worldwide.

2025 ends with heightened climate challenges, delayed Antarctic MPA decisions, and uneven ocean literacy. But it also ends with a clear opportunity: global youth can realize that discussing Antarctica isn’t about a distant, icy land, it’s about regulating the climate, protecting the oceans, and safeguarding the lives of millions.

Antarctica has no youth to defend it. The responsibility, and the opportunity, falls to those who will inherit its future.